A waiting game.

I am now sitting in the marina office at Ensenada Marina, waiting to be able to go and get the paperwork I need to clear the boat and crew out of Mexico. I did most of the work with customs, health department, immigration etc yesterday, but because of the big storm which has been wreaking havoc over Southern California and south west Mexico, the harbour was closed for small craft departures yesterday. This was pretty frustrating as I was keen to be off as soon as the front had passed and tag along with the northwesterlies which were following it, but it seems the harbour will still not issue me the zarpe I need even though the weather is now much improved. Frustrating!

Our crew is now made up of Rupert, an Englishman who is enthusiastic and brings a degree of experience having sailed long distance on a large gaffer in the past, and the Turkish couple Emre and Tugce, who are turning out to be a great pair to have on board, enthusiastic, great cooks,and Emre being a professional ship captain brings a lot of experience to the crew. Oz is still the same, generally making a nuisance of himself around the boat, fixing stuff and keeping busy. 

I am very keen to give the engine a good test, as well as seeing whether my efforts at stopping the major leaks in the bow and stern have worked, as well as just being very eager to get going South. Ensenada has been great, done lots of good stuff, nice people and a good 'can do' yard. But it's over now and it's time to get back to sea. We've got a lot of miles to cover.