For the ones who don't know, the Doldrums are situated in between the trade winds regions and the two hemispheres, also known as ITCZ. The winds in this area are either light or nonexistent, with heavy rain and hot.

26th April

Finally we left at 10 am. We followed the channel out from Bilboa. Flocks of birds were flying all around the Gulf. Some were big with at least 20 birds in a V shape and at the end were a few pelicans following the group. We called it the Panamanian Air force Squadron (Panama hasn't got an army, marine or air force). We saw a whale, turtles and few dolphins in the distance. Dinner was chili con carne. Night watches are as follow: Graham does 6pm till 10pm, Judit 10-2am and Herbert from 2 till 6 am.  Now is 1 am (27th) but we still in the Gulf of Panama, amazing how big it is. No wind at all, earlier we had 20knots but that just lasted one hour.

27th April

The morning arrived with some squalls and a bit of wind. That quickly died down and the engine went back on. So far we only sailed 2 hrs! "Dicky" Bird landed for a snooze on the boat, we tried to feed him some bread but he wanted to sleep more than anything. The sun is intense and the heat is unbearable, we opened the hatches to have some airflow in the boat. Before happy hour we played cards. Dinner was chili con carne again! with mandioca (macaxeira) and broccoli.

29th April

Yesterday evening we had lots of lightning above the boat, we changed course to get away from the storm and also placed GPS, VHF radio and Ipod in the oven ( Faraday's box). Due to the clouds we got a bit of wind, at last we were sailing. But of course in the wrong direction! When we do get some wind is on the nose. Our course is South West but we are only able to make NW or SE. Anyway, that didn't last long, and today we are motoring AGAIN! This trip is turning into a bit of nightmare, but that is the doldrums... We have fuel for another 3 days and 600 miles to go(5 days away). We have to sail, but when there is wind it is in the wrong direction and we are not getting any nearer to Galapagos.

30th April

It rained the whole afternoon, we collected some water, around 60 litres. We opened the cap for the water tank and also used a bucket to collect water dripping from the boom. Judit had a shower in the rain. The wind still not in our favour. According to the cruising books, charts and weather forecast, by now we should be out of the Doldrums and have favorable wind and current with us. But the winds are unpredictable we have current against us and to top it up we haven't caught a single fish. Is this the El Nino effect???

01 May

Finally we are out of the Doldrums and now have good winds, so we are making progress towards Galapagos. 20knots with moderate seas, excellent! It has been cloudy and air and sea temperature are dropping. 403 miles to go.

04 May

After a few days of good winds now we are 12 hours away from Baquerizo Moreno. It is getting colder, jumpers are out for the first time in 6 months. We crossed the Equator at 6 am. Graham and Herbert were delighted, going backwards and forwards with the boat so in total, the Equator was crossed 3 times! Judit was not impressed as she got woken up from her sleep as the engine went on to reverse the boat. Now the race starts to get in at daylight, it will be tight.