Greetings from yacht Ensemble.
We got off to a bumpy start this morning (...It was low tide and the winds pushed us towards the rock wall of the marina. We got so close I couldn't use the engine - fortunately with the help of the dinghy from Mr Blue and a local tug that happened to be passing they pulled us away. Hair raisingly close - but no sign of any damage done- touch wood - will dive on the boat in Contadora to make sure! Thanks Mr Blue and Mr Tug! )
Magali got back from Washington DC late last night and we went straight to immigration to get our exit visa. Immigration is a garden shed next to the Balboa Yacht Club jetty - friendly enough (no English) - but you'd think they'd spend some money on a decent building. Anyway - once he understood we were leaving (Salida) not arriving - we had no problems.
I've spent the last 5 days working on the boat getting it ready for the Pacific crossing. The Pacific is beautiful - but lacks any yachting infrastructure - other than in Tahiti or Fiji - and they're both a really long way. So we had the diesel generator and engines serviced, air-conditioning repaired, mast repaired, new halyard and pre-rigged the genaker. All of this was both expensice and time comsuming (even though you pay top dollar everyone seems to want you use your tools and time). The good news is that you learn how to fix things yourself for next time - although it was exhausting in the 35C heat! Really good work done by the Volvo guys, Mike the NZ rigger, and Jim from Yachting services. Hopefully that will be the last of it for a while!
We have also provisioned the boat for as much of the journey as we can. We have two fridges, a large freezer, and two small ones (although one is a bit dodgy). Even so, all the space is full - and the bilges are full as well.
We certainly won't starve!
We are going to Contador for the rally skipper's briefing today - and Leg 1 prize giving tomorrow. On Thurday midday we set off to Galapagos.
Cheers
Dave & Magali
ensemble