Ok, we have all the major jobs out of the way already for several days. So what's next? I am waiting for an exhaust hose, which has to come from the USA. It is a standard hose which I was sure I could get here in Panama. One thing I had not thought about was the fact that we have a typical European hose size, being 60mm and Panama uses typical US sizes. After many calls here in Panama we had to conclude it is not available in Panama. The next size up is yes, but that is not any good to me as you have to work with sleeves and making more connections. In an exhaust hose you want to have as less as possible connection in your exhaust system, to limit the possibilities of exhaust gasses leaking inside you boat. There was nothing wrong with the original hose, that is the irony, I just had to cut it in order to remove the waterlock / muffler wich I had to repair. Well had I known a new hose was NOT available in panama, I certainly would have done things differently and kept this hose in one piece. Not smart Peter. Now I have a 12 ft long exhaust hose being flown in from the US on Fedex. Price not nice. I hope it will be here before Heloisa gets back, so I can get it in (and she will never know about it) and ready so we can sail off the moment she gets back. I am fed up with the current marina live and so very ready to be offshore again, sailing and anchoring off quite remote islands with a few other boats. Snorkeling and spearfishing and having afternoon sundowners with Heloisa. Now I am reading one book after the other while trying to come up with other jobs. But there is only so much you can do on a boat, well on a well-kept boat.

Tomorrow I go back into Colon to collect the next school years schoolbooks for Auke which are waiting at the local post office. I am sure it will be another uphill battle with the local customs to get it cleared. Oh well, all part of this cruising life. This morning we had the Panama Canal Ad-measurer on board, doing the checking procedure to get us into the Canal system. We plan to go through the Panama Canal on the 15th of July. That gives us several weeks to explore the San Blas Islands. Despite the rain here we do not want to miss that. My cooking has improved now and have put the daily muggy heat aside and cook every other day a fresh soup with fresh veggies. That eats well in this heat. I buy the veggies, dump them all in one pan and after 30 minutes boiling you have soup. That is easy. At five I have the afternoon drink with other cruisers at the bar. There each and everyone discusses the enormous tormentors seas we have all experienced in our cruising life, seas that grow higher as the happy hour passes.

In two days it is Heloisas birthday, she will be turning 26... She is still in Brasil with Auke. No party for her here on board this year? I will get her a party when she gets back. The best and most beautiful woman that walks (sails) around on this planet certainly deserves a party. Heloisa and Auke will be back this Sunday and I can't wait for them to get back! I miss having Heloisa around, I miss her cooking and I miss the mess Auke can make in our main cabin with his toys. You get used to spend so much time together in a small area like a tiny boat and once they are gone you miss them.

This Wednesday I will do a canal trip to help someone out who is short on crew. It will help me getting the time passed for me and I like these Canal trips on other boats. Great views and since it is not your boat, no stress. Just pull some lines on the right moment.

I hope to have the infamous exhaust hose arrive on Thursday in the marina. It will take me a few hours to install so perhaps Friday I can go offshore three days by myself, try the watermaker and get away from marina life. There are some nice anchorages only 7 hours sailing away from here. Be back on Sunday afternoon to greet Heloisa and Auke back on board.

Above is a picture from Mundinho we received from good friend Gerard on Salt Whistle, currently sailing in the South East Caribbean. I believe it was taken while underway to Cuba. Although taken from a distant I particularly like the picture as it shows the early morning grayness and loneliness of the seas, while the boat just keeps on going and going, mile after mile, whatever you do, whether you eat, sleep, read or just watch the horizon. It keeps on going. I like that about offshore sailing. Till you hit your new destination, then you have your landfall, which is even better!