26th – 27th Jan
Fairly quiet night at sea (25th) watchkeeping through the night under genoa only. Much shipping. Being clear of the heavy weather ‘squeeze’ area around N Columbia and Venezuala, we shape a course closer to the Panamanian coastline, now just visible, and head for Panama Canal entrance bay. Thurs 26th morning is busy dodging shipping and picking out rocks and buoys. Exciting entry through about 100 ships anchored in and around the bay awaiting orders. Shelter Bay marina is at the right of the entrance inside the breakwater and is part of the old US Fort Sherwin. Very narrow entrance between mangroves. Buzzards and Pelicans galore. MB on radio to request berth, followed by a tight entrance to pontoon. Decide to do a swift backwards alongside in close quarters despite the crosswind and nearly screw it up. Thank God for quick reactions of marina staff on pontoon. Sighs of relief all round. Made it here at an average of about 6kts for the 1300 miles. Suddenly we are surrounded by welcoming antipodean types .........by coincidence, we’ve arived on Australia Day. Felicity J being an Aussie boat, its time to dress overall before attacking a ‘Panama’ beer or 6 at the friendy restaurant bar’s Aust Day BBQ.
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