Hi everyone, really sorry for the rubbish and lack of updates going on. Hi to everyone else who was wondering where we are. We are safe and we are currently in Shelter Bay Marina, in Colon Panama.The last few months we have been so busy with working and selling Quartermoon i have no had much time to keep you all entertainted.
Any hows life is still brillant and we ve seen and done loads, so here goes the last couple of months:
Monday, October 5, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Boco De Torro
The 100 odd mile sail ended up taking us 2 while days, can you beileve that...it was a complete diaster..we had two - two and a half knots of current the whole journey and there were head winds all the way. We were maiking about 3 knots and nailing it flat out under engine.At one stage in the night we went down to 1.7 knots...it was so painfully slow. Of course the winds were not forecast and current this strong was never mentioned in any pilot guide.
A little bird that flew out to Quartermoon and slept on the bbq all night long until sun rise.
We finally arrived and Boco which was definately a cool place but very touristy. There were lots of restarants and bars all on the sea front. We docked up in the marina for the first time in since europe which felt so weird being tied to a pontoon after being at anchor for so long.
We had some good nights out and were gutted when we had to leave because it would of been nice to spent a few weeks there and go round some of the anchorages. Alan and his business partner came and viewed her and speant all bloody weekend on the boat.They were going to buy her for chartering out of their hotel that was being built in Costa Rica. We took them out for a sea trail and it all went well, but i had a really gut feeling about them that they were messing us around. They said they would get back to us to let us know, so we sailed back to Shelter Bay Marina a tadge gutted to do some maintenace and take her out the water....we decided it was time to re spray her as the hull and get her looking tip top
A little bird that flew out to Quartermoon and slept on the bbq all night long until sun rise.
We finally arrived and Boco which was definately a cool place but very touristy. There were lots of restarants and bars all on the sea front. We docked up in the marina for the first time in since europe which felt so weird being tied to a pontoon after being at anchor for so long.
We had some good nights out and were gutted when we had to leave because it would of been nice to spent a few weeks there and go round some of the anchorages. Alan and his business partner came and viewed her and speant all bloody weekend on the boat.They were going to buy her for chartering out of their hotel that was being built in Costa Rica. We took them out for a sea trail and it all went well, but i had a really gut feeling about them that they were messing us around. They said they would get back to us to let us know, so we sailed back to Shelter Bay Marina a tadge gutted to do some maintenace and take her out the water....we decided it was time to re spray her as the hull and get her looking tip top
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Back in Cartagena
Nights out in Cartagena
Sym with his new ginger hair do, courtesy of Debs
Back in Club Nautico we checked our mail and we had three people wanting to come and view Quartermoon around the same time, so this guy Alan was first so he wanted us to take Quartermoon to Boco Del Torro where he could view her. He made us a good offer and said that he definately wanted her he just needed to check her over and go for a sea trail. We were really chuffed as you can imagine so we planned to do our last backpacker run to Pamana and then sail the two days to the Bocos for them to have a look.
In the meantime in Cartagena, Al proposes to Debs...Congrats you guys.It was brillant, me and Sym winch them up the top of the mast on Quartermoon and then he pops the question, haha...it was so funny, cos debs was not really sure whether she wanted to go up or not and half way up she was saying, oh i dont like it guys,get me down and me and sym were like, no way get on with it...Hilarious really. But she said yes and they live happy ever after where they plan to get married back home next year after their trip.
The Happy Couple....
Debs and Al finally depart and the next day we leave for Panama with a group of five Aussie lads and a American girl.
Another squall with lots rain and thunder and lightening
after a wicked few days we drop them off and head to Bocos...and what a bloody nightmare that turned out to be
The guys bought this sea snail from the Kunas, its was possibly the sickest thing known to man kind. They all had a bit and nearly puked.I wisely opted out
Sym with his new ginger hair do, courtesy of Debs
Back in Club Nautico we checked our mail and we had three people wanting to come and view Quartermoon around the same time, so this guy Alan was first so he wanted us to take Quartermoon to Boco Del Torro where he could view her. He made us a good offer and said that he definately wanted her he just needed to check her over and go for a sea trail. We were really chuffed as you can imagine so we planned to do our last backpacker run to Pamana and then sail the two days to the Bocos for them to have a look.
In the meantime in Cartagena, Al proposes to Debs...Congrats you guys.It was brillant, me and Sym winch them up the top of the mast on Quartermoon and then he pops the question, haha...it was so funny, cos debs was not really sure whether she wanted to go up or not and half way up she was saying, oh i dont like it guys,get me down and me and sym were like, no way get on with it...Hilarious really. But she said yes and they live happy ever after where they plan to get married back home next year after their trip.
The Happy Couple....
Debs and Al finally depart and the next day we leave for Panama with a group of five Aussie lads and a American girl.
Another squall with lots rain and thunder and lightening
after a wicked few days we drop them off and head to Bocos...and what a bloody nightmare that turned out to be
The guys bought this sea snail from the Kunas, its was possibly the sickest thing known to man kind. They all had a bit and nearly puked.I wisely opted out
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sailing with our new crew Part Two
It was so nice to have our mates on the boat and they were loving it too. We chilled in the beautiful San Blas islands for a few days where we went snorkelling swimming , had bbqs and drank loads of clos ( Clos for those who dont know is the best wine we have found yet. Its only 2 dollars and 15 cent a litre and its good tasting. We stocked up on a load in the city as the wine in Cartagena is pretty pricy.
One tree island: As you can see , we are very imaginitive with the names,
The boys spent a whole afternoon snorkelling with their spear guns and nets trying to be hunters and catch some fresh fish for the ladies,unfortunatly they took lots of wine with them in the dingy and came back with nothing apart from red clown lips, tipsey and no fish.
This resulted in buying a freshly caught King Crab from the Kuna Indians for only 5 bucks.
We then sailed the 200 miles back to Cartagena, Columbia. The trip was going really well and debs and Al both got their sea legs..Alex even cooking lunch for us on the way which was wicked, cos even now after all these miles i still can feel quesy down below if its rough!!I decided to have the first watch and go down below. Come 2 ish in the morning i come up to relieve Sym so he can get to sleep and a big squall comes in. 50 knots winds with thunder and lightening that went on for over an hour. It was quite scary to say the least, so Captain Frank took the helm and Me and Alex tried to stay dry under the cockpit. Debs popped her head up now and again worrying that we had hot a rock and were going to sink ( it was the thunder which was so close i shit myself). She told me later she kept thinking not to worry we would all be laughing about it when it was over. Lol. I can imagine though, it was bad enough for me yet alone some one who has never been on a boat before.
Anyhow it only lasted an hour or so and the rest of the trip was fine. These bloody squalls at this time of year are quite hairy to say the least, but we arrive that day safe and sound in the crowded anchoarge of Cartagena.
One tree island: As you can see , we are very imaginitive with the names,
The boys spent a whole afternoon snorkelling with their spear guns and nets trying to be hunters and catch some fresh fish for the ladies,unfortunatly they took lots of wine with them in the dingy and came back with nothing apart from red clown lips, tipsey and no fish.
This resulted in buying a freshly caught King Crab from the Kuna Indians for only 5 bucks.
We then sailed the 200 miles back to Cartagena, Columbia. The trip was going really well and debs and Al both got their sea legs..Alex even cooking lunch for us on the way which was wicked, cos even now after all these miles i still can feel quesy down below if its rough!!I decided to have the first watch and go down below. Come 2 ish in the morning i come up to relieve Sym so he can get to sleep and a big squall comes in. 50 knots winds with thunder and lightening that went on for over an hour. It was quite scary to say the least, so Captain Frank took the helm and Me and Alex tried to stay dry under the cockpit. Debs popped her head up now and again worrying that we had hot a rock and were going to sink ( it was the thunder which was so close i shit myself). She told me later she kept thinking not to worry we would all be laughing about it when it was over. Lol. I can imagine though, it was bad enough for me yet alone some one who has never been on a boat before.
Anyhow it only lasted an hour or so and the rest of the trip was fine. These bloody squalls at this time of year are quite hairy to say the least, but we arrive that day safe and sound in the crowded anchoarge of Cartagena.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
San Blas and Cartagena with Dirty debs and Baby Frank
This seems like a life time ago but our friends back home from Wales are currently on a voyage back packing around the world and informed us they were in Costa Rica. We planned to meet up with them and they could come and stay for a few weeks on the boat. It was absolutley lush to see them, the last time being at our wedding over a year ago. We decided to leave the boat in Puerto Lindo for the night and get the bus to go and meet them in Panama City.
Panama City rcoks, it was wicked. In all fairness we did not get to see much of it
(sight seeing wise) as we were having too much of a party. Can you beilve the first night away from Quartermoon in over a year(hoping for something speacial accomodation wise) and debs goes and books us a hostel where we have to share the room with six other people. Oh well, it did not really matter as were we wasted by early evening and cant really remember much of it. We met up with some other friends, Oliver, and Ricky Martin and Makayler to celebrate olivers birthday.
Me and debs ended the night in the shared toilet being sick from too much booze and sym and alex ended up partying without us till five o clock in the morning. Alex on the first night nick named Sym Frank the Tank ( all will know if you have seen the movie Old School ) if you have not , thats not a bad things, cos i am extremtly gutted to be married to a middle aged, unfit loser - like off the movie. Anyhow the nick name stayed and i have gorwn to love it.
Some pics of our first night in the city
Frank and Baby Frank giving Oliver the birthday bumps:
After a rough hangover we had to go and get the bus back from Panama city to Puerto Lindo which was bad enought the day before when we were feeling good. It took over 3 hours being squished on the chicken bus , including a stop off to get another one. We decided it was well worth the 70 bucks to share a taxi home between the four of us and god how much we appreciated the air con.
The following day we decided to take them to monkey island. There was no way i was going back on there after the last time, so i waited in the dingy while the rest went ashore. Can you believe it, but the sly little buggers were so sweet. (And alot smaller than the last time in remember ) They were eating out of everyones hand!!! I am so jealous...but i still did not trust their tempermental attitude!!
Alex getting ready to leg it after hearing our stories about these ferocious beasts!!lol
Moral of the story , never ever trust monkeys!!!
Panama City rcoks, it was wicked. In all fairness we did not get to see much of it
(sight seeing wise) as we were having too much of a party. Can you beilve the first night away from Quartermoon in over a year(hoping for something speacial accomodation wise) and debs goes and books us a hostel where we have to share the room with six other people. Oh well, it did not really matter as were we wasted by early evening and cant really remember much of it. We met up with some other friends, Oliver, and Ricky Martin and Makayler to celebrate olivers birthday.
Me and debs ended the night in the shared toilet being sick from too much booze and sym and alex ended up partying without us till five o clock in the morning. Alex on the first night nick named Sym Frank the Tank ( all will know if you have seen the movie Old School ) if you have not , thats not a bad things, cos i am extremtly gutted to be married to a middle aged, unfit loser - like off the movie. Anyhow the nick name stayed and i have gorwn to love it.
Some pics of our first night in the city
Frank and Baby Frank giving Oliver the birthday bumps:
After a rough hangover we had to go and get the bus back from Panama city to Puerto Lindo which was bad enought the day before when we were feeling good. It took over 3 hours being squished on the chicken bus , including a stop off to get another one. We decided it was well worth the 70 bucks to share a taxi home between the four of us and god how much we appreciated the air con.
The following day we decided to take them to monkey island. There was no way i was going back on there after the last time, so i waited in the dingy while the rest went ashore. Can you believe it, but the sly little buggers were so sweet. (And alot smaller than the last time in remember ) They were eating out of everyones hand!!! I am so jealous...but i still did not trust their tempermental attitude!!
Alex getting ready to leg it after hearing our stories about these ferocious beasts!!lol
Moral of the story , never ever trust monkeys!!!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Puerto Lindo, Panama.
We drop of the lads and go and have a beer in the local restaurant, which is so cheap. 75 cents for a bottle of beer, how good is that. Even better the owner Hans and his wife have a Toucan called ‘Toucey’. It is amazing and so tame it’s unbelievable. It basically is free to fly off in the rainforest whenever it likes as the cage is open, but it chooses to stay in the restaurant most of the time, where he is feed fruit and rice. He is wicked!! But a bit of a piece of work and like to peck on your hand, twisting his mouth with all his strength – but it does not hurt whatsoever.
We chilled out for a few days there and went to go and register with Hostel Wunderbar. Within a couple of days Silvia had found us some backpackers to come back to Columbia with. We had 5 in all, one couple called Bart and Mary Ann from Holland and a Canadian women called Steph and her to children called Ariel and Jordon.
We had a couple of days to chill out and get the boat ready before our departure date so mistakably we went to go and visit the uninhabited island of Monkey Island
Attack of the monkeys…
I don’t know what it is with animals lately but they seem not to like us very much. Anyway Sym persuaded me to come to visit this island of Monkeys, so we took a bag of cornflakes with us so we could feed them. Sym filled my mind with false images of little monkeys sitting on my shoulder (like baboo off Aladdin) was how he described them ...............................
Well we tie the dingy up to the dock and go onto the island, within two minutes we had three monkeys swing down from the tree( full teeth / LARGE teeth showing) hissing at us. One monkey comes up from behind me and he comes to my shoulders in height!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I crapped myself to say the least, they looked so bloody aggressive… baboo my ass!!
I backed off slowly edging myself back towards the safety of my dingy. Sym on the other hand thought he was well hard and at one with nature and told me to chick over the food, he then kneels down and starts to feed them (I actually just got goose bumps when writing this remembering how frightened I was). Then the monkeys gather round closely and trying to grab the bag of him, showing them their teeth and waving their arms at him. Sym chucks the bag and within a couple of seconds he has two monkeys dangling off his arms biting into him. JESUS CHRIST… all I heard was Sym screaming and then he starting to make monkey noises back at them! He shouted to me to run, but I don’t think he needed to…I was already legging it as fast as I could…I jumped a mage distance. Something I did not think I was capable of (way over 15 ft) and landed into the dingy with such sheer force I had friction burns up all my arms and legs! Sym makes it in just after me and the bloody vicious monkeys had bitten his thumb down to the bone.
Picture of them starting to get a bit heavy!!!
Biten to the bone!!
We were quite worried, of course not knowing what diseases there were carrying and so we went to find a doctor. Bearing in mind we were in the middle of no where. Hans told us there a type – of nurse (not sure what qualifications that would entail) in the local village. He was drunk as it was Sunday and apparently everyone gets drunk of a Sunday! Anyway we were very grateful to here that the monkeys did not have any infectious diseases like Rabies and he gave Sym a jab – free of charge, can you believe that!
Anyway, I would highly recommend no one visits that island ever again
We chilled out for a few days there and went to go and register with Hostel Wunderbar. Within a couple of days Silvia had found us some backpackers to come back to Columbia with. We had 5 in all, one couple called Bart and Mary Ann from Holland and a Canadian women called Steph and her to children called Ariel and Jordon.
We had a couple of days to chill out and get the boat ready before our departure date so mistakably we went to go and visit the uninhabited island of Monkey Island
Attack of the monkeys…
I don’t know what it is with animals lately but they seem not to like us very much. Anyway Sym persuaded me to come to visit this island of Monkeys, so we took a bag of cornflakes with us so we could feed them. Sym filled my mind with false images of little monkeys sitting on my shoulder (like baboo off Aladdin) was how he described them ...............................
Well we tie the dingy up to the dock and go onto the island, within two minutes we had three monkeys swing down from the tree( full teeth / LARGE teeth showing) hissing at us. One monkey comes up from behind me and he comes to my shoulders in height!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I crapped myself to say the least, they looked so bloody aggressive… baboo my ass!!
I backed off slowly edging myself back towards the safety of my dingy. Sym on the other hand thought he was well hard and at one with nature and told me to chick over the food, he then kneels down and starts to feed them (I actually just got goose bumps when writing this remembering how frightened I was). Then the monkeys gather round closely and trying to grab the bag of him, showing them their teeth and waving their arms at him. Sym chucks the bag and within a couple of seconds he has two monkeys dangling off his arms biting into him. JESUS CHRIST… all I heard was Sym screaming and then he starting to make monkey noises back at them! He shouted to me to run, but I don’t think he needed to…I was already legging it as fast as I could…I jumped a mage distance. Something I did not think I was capable of (way over 15 ft) and landed into the dingy with such sheer force I had friction burns up all my arms and legs! Sym makes it in just after me and the bloody vicious monkeys had bitten his thumb down to the bone.
Picture of them starting to get a bit heavy!!!
Biten to the bone!!
We were quite worried, of course not knowing what diseases there were carrying and so we went to find a doctor. Bearing in mind we were in the middle of no where. Hans told us there a type – of nurse (not sure what qualifications that would entail) in the local village. He was drunk as it was Sunday and apparently everyone gets drunk of a Sunday! Anyway we were very grateful to here that the monkeys did not have any infectious diseases like Rabies and he gave Sym a jab – free of charge, can you believe that!
Anyway, I would highly recommend no one visits that island ever again
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