Quite a Lot of Nonsense.

Friday 15th February, It’s a fabulous party atmosphere here in Shelter Bay, the Oyster people are really helpful, and the other owners and crew are really friendly. We’re like a big happy (very busy) family. Fortunately for Ed there are lots of young people among the other boats, so thankfully he isn’t trapped with a group of ‘oldies’, he’s able to hang out with his peers, or should I say “rum swilling buddies”. Yesterday was very busy with all the last minute preparations for transiting the canal on Saturday. We had to get as much done as possible as we knew we wouldn’t have any opportunity to do any work today because we have the “Fort Lorenzo Pirate Party” this afternoon. This is where all the Oyster owners and crew get to dress up like pirates, in some very silly costumes, then board our assigned busses for the 20 minutes drive out to Fort Lorenzo, where Chef Chris and staff were waiting with a delicious three course meal and unlimited wine and beer. The fort was in a breathtakingly beautiful location, and both Oyster and Chef Chris and his staff did us proud with the marquee and refreshments. We all ate well and drank far too much, explored the fort and took some stunning photographs, it was a wonderful afternoon filled with much merriment and nonsense. For some… the merriment continued into the night and early morning hours back at the marina. Meanwhile Bob and I returned to Daisy and spent the night working, we still had so much to do to get her ready for the canal transit on Saturday… PHOTOGRAPHS ON WEB SITE: www.daisyatsea.com

White-Throated Capuchin (monkey)

I am so excited about these photographs, I just had to share them with you.  Bob and I had so much fun chasing (following)  these little guys through the jungle...

leaping from tree to tree.

And then there were the howlers:

you have to look closely  but this howler monkey is holding twins, two little babies, that's very rare.

The photographs were taken in the pouring rain, so they're a little foggy.

Happiness :o)

Most beautiful day so far, blue sky and sunshine and 88 degrees.  Not a rain drop in sight,  so instead of laying around and enjoying the weather, I smothered myself with sun tan lotion and set to work on the toe rail, I am, remember "the varnishing queen of the Caribbean".  I'm so happy that I finished the sanding, washed the boat, and then managed to put a full coat of varnish on, and it still hasn't rained.

This afternoon I have the joyful job of cleaning out the bilge!  So with that in mind I'm at the restaurant for lunch, and I'm having fish & chips, I think I deserve it after all the hard work and sweat this morning.  My back is still sore, and I'm getting occasional twinges of pain, but not enough to stop me working,  I'm pretty sure now that I didn't slip a disc, because I'm able to do so much already.

Bob is on his way back to the States for 10 days of work, and I have a long list of 'to do' jobs to complete before his return, but I've made a great start this morning, I just hope the weather stays like it's been today.

I love this marina so many people around, and all so friendly, good restaurant, and nice swimming pool.
Happy again
:o)

Back in Panama...

Well done American Airlines, we had great flights, and they were all on time, the entire luggage arrived with contents undamaged, Bob’s driver was waiting for us as we came through customs, such a successful trip.  If only all flights were this way.

Sadly I was travelling coach (using up an old ticket) while Bob and Niki were in first class, they were having ice cream and cocktails while I could barely get a glass of water from my most miserable flight attendant, who was obviously not enjoying his job and making it clear to all around him. However, all was not lost, I managed to snag myself a window exit isle seat, and I was sat next to a lovely lady, and I had masterchef on my Mac, so I enjoyed great entertainment during the flights.

Our first morning back on Daisy started early, while I took the 8am bus to the supermarket to do the provisioning, Bob took Niki into the jungle to photograph the monkeys.

The weather here is hotter than usual and there is little wind, it’s really humid and we’re all soaked with sweat, the lovely hair-do Paige gave me, that looked so chic when I left, has turned into a ball of fluff from all the humidity and I now look like a bush woman, welcome to boat life (sigh)

Shelter Bay Marina

In the afternoon while Bob worked on the refrigeration, Niki and I scrubbed the decks, and filled the water tanks.  Despite liberal use of sun tan lotion we both got quite burnt. 

A large container of cleaning solution burst in Nicolette’s bathroom and flooded the under-sink cupboard, but at least it smells clean! Boat bathrooms frequently smell nasty no matter how often you clean them, another joy of boat life!

Filling the diesel tanks at Shelter Bay

Both Niki and I have collected a dozen or more mosquito bites, and I’m making every effort not to scratch them, but they’re so damn itchy…

Saturday we are off up the river to go jungle hiking, this should be interesting, watch this space…