A blue whale swam by the ship this morning. The Picton Castle is sailing deeper and deeper into the South Pacific Ocean. After a few days of overcast and light squalls not far from the Equator we now are sailing along with a fresh beam breeze to port heeling the ship a little to starboard. …
The Picton Castle lay in the stream off the Balboa Yacht Club right next to the channel for the Panama Canal for some time as we prepared to head out for the South Pacific Ocean. Rain every day, often in torrents, sometimes with thunder and lightning. Drying sails was hard but had to be done …
Bound from Panama towards the South Pacific Since we left Panama two days ago a flock of booby birds are hitching a ride on our yardarms. Resulting in white wet pellets falling from aloft onto a crew member passing underneath or coating the ship’s deck in white droplets beginning the war on the boobies. We …
Once through the Panama Canal we moored the Picton Castle off the Balboa Yacht Club just as dark descended (as it does so swiftly in the tropics, almost like switching out a light) and torrential rains drenched us. Few went ashore that night, but some did after a short discussion on wisdom and personal safety. …
The Panama Canal is a very big deal. Transiting through this techno marvel is even more so. Transiting this wonder of the man made world is a long hot day steaming through the tropical jungle of Panama 85’ above sea level. But what is one day compared to the alternatives? Say, the 9 or 10,000 …
After sailing the 18 miles from enchanting and ancient Portobelo the Picton Castle came to anchor yesterday after swinging ship and adjusting compass at the entrance to the Panama Canal area. Then we did the work (below) resulting in being prepared for Canal transit. The gang did an excellent job in the heat. Early this …
Anchorage Area F, Port of Colon, Panama – May 29, 2018 Read More »
Quietly at anchor the Picton Castle is surrounded by still waters and the dense jungles of the Isthmus of Panama. Thick abiding jungle. Early this morning while enjoying a cup of yesterday’s (and most excellent) coffee sitting by the teak wheel box all the way aft on the quarterdeck in the cool dawn, all was …
The day came in surprisingly clear. Mists hung over the jungles either side of the Picton Castle, weaving in among the trees like living things. The lapping of tiny waves along the waterline is about the only sound breaking the tropical early morning silence. A man in his dugout canoe came by selling bunches of …
May 17, 208 16-31N / 080-11W The day comes in mostly cloudy, warm and humid. Winds pretty steady Force 5 at ESE. Sea moderate to 6 or 7 feet. The Picton Castle is 400 miles due north of Panama sailing close hauled by-the-wind, yards hard on the backstays and skirting Rosalind Banks to our West. …
May 13, 2018 The Picton Castle and her new crew (and two cats) are steaming along about 100 miles south of Cuba bound for the east. At some point, maybe tomorrow, when we have made enough easting we will make a sharp right turn and set sail and steering due south for the Republic of …
