Beach Run

We are up at 6.30am as usual. Al heads for the showers and I have my 2nd morning jog of the trip (and the year). I head for the beach which is 2km away. I run like a 55 year old grandad and that’s OK because its true.

I speed up temporarily as the Aero Naval troops of Panama are running towards me chanting

I am followed the last 200m to the beach down a dirt track by a conspicuous yellow taxi.

The deserted beach is beautiful but has severe trash issues. I think the piles of trash are result of well intentioned clean ups.

I loiter wondering what the taxi driver is up to (fly tipping?). I am distracted by a Pelican fishing in the sea. It is an amazing site and it successfully catches a fish on each dive.

I see the taxi driver has past unseen behind me and is exiting the far end of the beach on a hidden path carrying a very large bucket. I resolve to explore the path another day.

Work on the boat

Al is servicing the winches from dawn till dusk today (so focused he doesn’t come for an evening swim) and makes great progress. The last winch is in the worst state and is left to soak in a bath of WD40 overnight before final assembly hopefully tomorrow.

I am largely swabbing today: galley (kitchen), heads (toilet) and floor (floor). I am let loose on servicing the headsail furler which is a step up from swabbing. Ok, so you swab it and add grease basically. I then service the hydrovane self steerer which I suppose is like swabbing with a hose pipe.

Don’t misconstrue the humour. I am very happy in my lot. I celebrate my first week on the boat with a beer after dinner. Al abstains which makes me wonder if he has been reading the blog?…