Projects and Bats

Lots and lots of boat projects getting done on Astarte. We managed to get propane (actually butane) - though it was a challenge. We walked into the little town Cacique near by with our two tanks - one empty and one getting mighty close to empty. Michael brought his transfer hose/fitting to fill them from the TropicGas canisters that they sell. We got a tank and went to the park to fill them. It's a gravity feed but we have to go from their Panama fitting to our American tank fitting. Michael made a hose and got a fitting while we're in the states. We tried it - it didn't work. So we put a deposit on the tank and walked with the big full 20 pound tank and the two empty/almost empty tanks back to the boat. We got here and Michael had been had by "OSHA." For "our protection," the fitting had a one-way valve inside - so the propane could come out - but not go in through this fitting. Of course, we needed it to go in. But, with a few tools Michael disabled the safety feature and it worked. We filled both tanks and then Michael walked back the big tank to Cacique, got the deposit back and we now have two full tanks. Whew!

We also did a provisioning run into Colon. We tried to catch the 0900 bus - but no joy. It was full and they wouldn't squish in any more to let us on. Jack, from Anthem, was also with us. We waited another 90 minutes for the next bus. We did some shopping, walking and looking for stuff and then loaded up with many groceries we had pre-arranged to have Jose pick us up. It was a $35 cab ride back to Panamarina - but split with Jack it wasn't bad. We also had Jose stop at an auto parts store because both Jack and Michael needed oil and filters. That done, we were on our way. There was no way we could get on a bus with all the crap we had.

Back to the boat, we had to find homes for all the stuff we got and by the next day, everything was de-labelled, re-packed out of cardboard boxes, ziplocked and stored. We bought lots of meat to freeze and that got pattied, packaged and frozen. We probably have one more smaller run for some more fresh veggies, eggs, butter (can never have too much butter) and bread.

Everyday, we've tackled a big project. Lots of cleaning, re-organizing stuff and storing. Michael continues to look for ways to optimize electricity and is slowly getting through the whole system.

Barbara's been baking bread - did a "Gibson" loaf and a raisin bread and today made English muffins. We have been splurging on dining at the Panamarina restaurant a bit. It is relatively inexpensive and very tasty. It's also quite warm and a bit buggy on board - so going to shore in the "smoked out" area can be a bit better.

We woke up this morning to find that we had a night visitor aboard. It seems a bat came below decks and into the cabin to dine on a tasty banana. It was well consumed. Glad we didn't see it - just the remnants. Fruit bats are common here and that's what seemed to find its way aboard. Normally we keep the bananas on deck. Maybe that's a good idea!

Today, more projects - perhaps tackling the wind generator.

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