We spent the first day at the ‘Aquarium’, Fynn came snorkelling with us for a good hour. She just swims around with us or goes for a ride on our backs, it will be great when she starts wearing goggles and can see the fish. We also have an underwater viewer, which is tons of fun, but we didn’t have it with us today. Kolby thought this was some go the best snorkelling for fish variety that he has seen so far.

The ‘aquarium’ snorkelling grounds

Our swim buddy

Here we are, anchored in the perfectly flat Barre lagoon. After a week or so of rolling each night, this is just perfect.

The Barre lagoon

It is ideal for getting our to do list done to get Asunto ready for her first ocean crossing. We also took time to visit Melaque, watch the local parade in celebration of the upcoming Saint Patricks Day.

Taking the bus to Melaque

Lovely Beaches of Melaque

We have also now spent WAY too much money on the French Baker. Time to go!

We woke up unrested after a noisy, roll, squally night at anchor in La Cruz. We made it 75% out of the bay until the wind died but it only took us 5 minutes of sailing before we blew up another spinnaker block, this time in only 8 knots, so nothing to do with the wind. We heard a loud twang, like maybe the block is binding on something, then wham, the sail is in the ocean. The halyard had a lot of chaff on it too. Kolby will have to go up later and take a look and install the new block we bough this winter. After motoring for a few hours in the swell (with the main up to help with the rolling) the wind filled in and we were off.

Kolby at the helm

From 3-5pm we had some pretty intense squalls roll through, you could see them building over the ocean the slam into shore, some with lightening. The first one came and whacked us from behind, going from 10-16-34 knots in about 30 seconds. It was a bit hairy to get the sail in. Then we were sipping along withe a handkerchief main. Kolby was able to avoid the rest of them by speeding up or slowing down. It felt like that game where the frog is trying to cross the road without getting hit by a car.

A rainbow admist the squalls

Then the sunset and the rain came pouring down, just soaking everything. Total torrential, we even put the side curtains up. I forgot how pleasant the rain can be. The air is still cool  we are wearing long sleeves, I would never have imagines this just two days ago when I was melting! It is just lovely. Originally we were planning to go from La Cruz to Tenacacita but the wind was strong all night so we sailed right on to Barre, 130 nm to the south. This used to be an astronomical distance to us, now we think of it as one overnight. What a difference!

Dolphins on the bow in the morning

Best part of the morning shift