Breadmaking deemed a success, meat not so good, but we eat up the miles just the same.
It's odd what food lasts and what doesn't. And it does not depend on comodity, either. When we crossed on the ARC, our tomatoes looked over ripe and unlikely to last, but after we had been in the Caribbean for a week, I found one in hiding and in perfect condition. And bananas are a poor bet too, though this time ours are just starting to ripen. We've been most disappointed in our carrots, our fresh meat - a lot of which we have had to ditch, our long-life milk, which goes off almost as soon as you open the tetrapack (thanks a bunch Messrs Rausing). But the onions, tomatoes, garlic and potatoes have soldiered on gallantly, being slaughter to order when required. Another big disappointment was the sliced bread we bought. We've had some in the past that has lasted literally weeks. But this stuff has mainly gone as fish food; I hope they enjoy the green mouldy bits. As a result, the Skipper has been baking loaves for the last three days. Though he says it himself, they are quite good, and he says that mixing the dough is very theraputic. (This may be so, but he still gets grumpy, Ed). Yesterday's Parmesan Cheese and Sun-dried Tomato loaf was well received, and todyay's is a Hovis whole-meal packet which we hope will be equally successful once the smoked salmon is resting on it (Yes, Quasar, we too have a few of life's little luxuries. Good things sometimes come in small packages, too; it's not all about size). And think of the good that the wholemeal stuff will be doing us, as well. Sadly the special bread mixes are running out, and I shall have to resort to using the basic ingredients. This is always a bit hit-and-miss, and success is not always guaranteed.
Apart from that, we have made great progress, with as-predicted North Easterly winds at around 20 knots. On 28/29 January we made 146 miles from Noon to Noon (and don't foreget we measure miles covered and not miles made good towards our target), whilst today we will have covered over 160. At this rate, we should reach Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama some time tomorrow pm, maybe even before it gets dark. Then lots of beer to drink, lots of lamp-swinging and lots of stuff to do to the boat, including re-running an antenna cable, trying to stop the rudder shaft from leaking, trying to stop the bilge-pump from ditto, fitting the new shrouds and hatch-cover (if and when they get here) and a lot of little things like red lights in the galley (thanks again Quasar for showing us the way on this one).
And next the mighty Panama Canal. Awesome (apparently) and full of potential hazards for the small yacht. You'll find out all about it soon, no doubt.
Hope you are all well back in UK or wherever, and enjoying the weather, which I doubt beats ours!
Best wishes,
James, Chris & Elizabeth
Yacht CLEONE
At Sea
10.47N 77.23W