Monday
We are up early for breakfast and Al delivers his cruiser net VHF broadcast at 7.30am. I stay out of the way and when it is over head of for the 8.00am bus into town armed with a full list of required goods.
Shopping is uneventful and I return on the 11.00am bus. Al heads off to meet Senor Ranger and the updated news on the RIB’s outboard is not good. The unit has effectively been condemned. Although the engine is running ok the leaking fuel tank has not been able to be repaired and they had problems with a worn part on the drive shaft.
Al is philosophical about this knowing that the RIB engine was near the end of its useful life before he left Scotland. The search for a replacement begins in earnest.
Tuesday
Al has decided not to go on the regular nature walk today in the hope that our mechanic, Vicus, may turn up (of course he doesn’t).
I am up early to run the short distance to the beach and back before breakfast. On my return I listen to Al’s broadcast and then have a quick shower before joining the assembling ramblers. I am silently congratulating myself on being so organised this morning when I realise I have left my glasses on the boat.
It’s a big group today but its mainly rabble rather than ramblers. They are noisy, intent on photographing each other in a variety of poses and take great delight in climbing the derelict ruins. We see nothing except a group of Howler monkeys to lazy to avoid our noisy passage. I thank my lucky stars Al isn’t with us today. He would not be amused.
Al has spent the day following various leads on a replacement outboard for the RIB. He has also re-assembled the main sheet traveller and cleaned some of the teak decks with an experimental cleanser. So he has been much more productive than I.
After a splendid lunch I feel at a bit of a loose end and realise I need to make more of my time whilst awaiting progress with the Yachts engine. I make a plan to explore further afield tomorrow with a hike to Fort San Lorenzo at the mouth of the Chagres river. I finish my day with a trip to the gym and a dip in a crowded pool.