Brian Blue Bear

[brian (Blue Bear)]

All set line handlers will arrive at 11 am we will the move to anchor at the "Flats 1.30pm then Pass through the First set of locks at 4.30pm we will only travel daylight Hours so we will be anchored between locks before it gets dark the trip should then finish the following day after Completing the 40ish mile passage to the Pacific.....

[traveller]

Hello both
We had just joined the club when you set out on your travells and have followed all your posts since, what a fantastic adventure.
Have fun and stay safe.

Carol and Graham, Blythe Spirit (Mobo)

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Arrived Balboa PACIFIC OCEAN!!! We left the flats after picking up our adviser at 5pm, and Motored at a little more than our usual cruising speed of 5 Knots following the ship we will be entering the Locks with Myself and Barrenjoey would be rafted behind this ship for the first leg of the Journey to and Through the Gatun Locks, the Gatun locks a set of three will lift us about 9 metres each to the Gatun Lake this was all carried out in torrential rain and under floodlights




although very excited it was a little Disappointing. we moored rafted with Barrenjoey on a Buoy in the lakes at around 9pm Here our Adviser left us well after Dark....
Our Linehandlers Joined with ourselves for a celebration drink and a Meal explaining to us that these lakes have many Alligators and Crocodiles didn't deter them from swimming to the very late hours, Myself and Barrenjoey both retiring very early. The following Morning 7am still Heavy rain,

Were joined by New Advisers for the Remaining Journey, a trip through the very Beautiful lake again tainted by Tropical rainfall and the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores, three Locks to take us back to sea level The Pacific Luckily the weather Improved as we came closer to the Pacific




One ship up one down





Into the Pacific Edwin wrapping up the Ropes Barrenjoey in Front






My first Thoughts were what a Contrast Sanblas Dug out boats and Grass huts here 40miles as the crow flies an Amazing City with huge Skyscrapers.

Linehandlers Edwin

And Saul

[spidercrab]

Congratulations. It must be a big relief to get through the canal.

I can't think of anything more exciting that getting through the canal to the Pacific and just considering the options now open to you.

This has been a most interesting story so far but now it's really getting interesting. Good luck.

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Dec 11, 2011 17:27:37 GMT spidercrab said:

Congratulations. It must be a big relief to get through the canal.

I can't think of anything more exciting that getting through the canal to the Pacific and just considering the options now open to you.

This has been a most interesting story so far but now it's really getting interesting. Good luck.

Ha! Options now West or Back through the Canal....... Probably sail around Ecuador Coast to around 5 to 7 Degrees South, then west as winds will allow.......But plans Change....researching Ecuador, Galapagos, Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) and of Coarse the weather in between, but we are too early yet it is Typhoon season In the South Pacific Between Galapagos and Marquesas, I Use as a Guide 6th edition world Cruising routes and world Cruising Destinations both By Jimmy Cornell

[spidercrab]

BTW in case you didn't know, be careful what fish you eat such as Red Bass and Paddletail (plenty of other fish too and usually called Snappers by the immune locals) as they have high levels of nasty toxins.

Other than that what could go wrong?

[sheila]

Congratulations Brian & Sue. Allan (Chausey) told us yesterday that you have said on Facebook that traversing the Panama canal was no worse than going through the lock at Bristol! As they say, if you can manage the Bristol Channel and its ports and harbours, you can manage anything.

You are both brilliant!

Your avid admirer, Sheila

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Barrenjoey has left us now to Ship their boat to Australia so our sailing Paths will not cross again and to add more Sadness my Son Steve has also left to return to Wales Both have met us in the Canaries Earlier this year.










Thanks Barrenjoey XXXXXXXXXX

[allan]

Many people will find this hard to believe but I am lost for words. I can only say that, to me and many others, the three of you are true modern day heroes.
Allan

[sheila]

I echo what Allan has said.
I'm feeling very sad for you too that your son & Barrenjoey are leaving you. We've heard so much about them over the last weeks & months.
Well, this is your second Christmas away, I wonder where you will be on the day. Wherever it may be, we (me & Vince) wish you a very happy & peaceful Christmas, and hope the New Year brings you safe passage and fair winds where ever you may go.
Love from us both xx

[Matt]

Same here - Merry Christmas from good old Blighty x

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Just sharing some Thoughts with you of onward travel

It is difficult to make a Precise plan to a destination from here at this time of year.... we, as I see it have three options the first La libertad Ecuador the second the Galapagos the third the Marquesas.... the first La libertad and a marina purto lucia little under 750 miles top up Diesel water and Food seems great.... I would like to set sail now in the hope of arriving before Christmas but It will have to be done with long tacks into a headwind and a wind against tide situation the trip would be set with a course closer to a course to Galapagos around 800miles this would be a more favorable route except the Galapagos is a protected area and can be very expensive and is apparently overrated weighing up the cost against the Pleasure of visiting a few say miss it...... The third if the sail towards Galapagos becomes the only alternative due to Weather Conditions and the sail is quick with no engine hours (forcing a stop at Galapagos to refuel) it could be reasonable to head for the Marquesas around 4000miles.... we are out of season for that but we would sail south enough to get wind and if a weather system Developed Run north towards the ITCZ...

Of course there is a fourth option Wait here until we get a favorable wind Its Very Cheap here beer $1 a bottle Rum $11 per 1.75 litres food the cheapest yet eating out is reasonable there are quite a few live aboards here And I know quite a few now including (Brian and Sue) from Holyhead a few Australian Couples some of them have Children all friendly and Helpful.........But the locals (There are a few exceptions) Really have poor Attitudes such that I've never seen before other than in odd individuals and the weather equals that of a Poor British Summer wind and rain temps usually around 25/ 26 degrees but horrible hot and humid when the Sun does occasionally show.... we need to get South!!!!!

Today is officially the end of the Wet Season..... can't see 100 yards in this rain

[Camelot]

Incredible adventure, really enjoying reading about it, before having to set off for work!

Merry Christmas to you both, and fair winds for whichever option you choose.

[brian (Blue Bear)]

Checked out Of Panama now will Probably be at sea for up to two months if we go straight Isla Marquisas but still possible Ecuador but Plan A is the Galapagos over 8 days with current weather Conditions
Merry Christmas and Happy new Year to all our Friends and Family will be out of touch for a While Spending Christmas and New year at Sea between here and Galapagos.....

[sheila]

A very happy Christmas & New Year to the two of you too! We wish you a safe and tranquil journey with fair winds and calm seas. Take care.

Just think, you'll have all that sky to see Santa and his reindeer doing their rounds!

We look forward to hearing from you at your next landfall.

[ishtar]

I don't suppose you fancy Cocos island, Bri? Louise and I were there in 2004, and I can recommend it, but onmly really for the diving......

It would be Galapagos for me, and then, wherever.

btw. Would you mind starting a new thread for 2012? I'm not sure how big these posts can be on this forum, and you were only supposed to be going to Ilfracombe for the weekend........

Congratulations. As Allan says. Heroes.

[Deleted]

as usual, great to catch up with your adventures - hope the seas and weather were kind for xmas celebrations. looking forward to the next installment..
Best Wishes, Peter and Elaine

[sheila]

Does anyone know where Blue Bear is? I need to get in touch with Brian.