Destination Panama

Dec 9th - Finally our trip to Panama planned last July is now upon us. Decided to start out towards Quebec City earlier than expected due to one of our famous Nor'Easter heading our way. Forecast for Southern NB was for rain but Northern areas expect 30 to 50 cm of snow /freezing rain just a regular mix cocktail as they are calling it.   Arrived in C'ton around 7pm with just light snow starting to show itself. All in all, the right decision was taken.  Thanks to the convincing of my travel partner.

Dec 10th in Campbellton - Storm in full swing as they say. Had breakfast and just hung around the house until after lunch then out to shovel, clean off cars and driveway.  Already about 30cm of snow and now starting with the freezing rain/rain. Weather forecast for tomorrow departure for Quebec City still not very good and as we listen to news reports find out that highway 20 between Montmagny and Quebec is close due to accidents, freezing rain and such. Nice evening spent with Denis and Denise and as they say tomorrow is another day


Dec 11th  in Campbellton - WOW. Still storming with some freezing rain and rain but temperature on the plus's side so our plan is to leave around 10ish and head up slowly and safely. Highway 20 still closed but hopefully open before we get there. Well highway wasn' t all that bad after all. Snow packed but melting until about Edmundston then down to wet pave balance of trip. Highway 20 open about an hour before we got there and must say have never seen so many trucks heading East. They were in convoys of 6 to 8 trucks,  I'm guessing for at least 50 miles or so, seriously never seen so many at one time. Ended up arriving around 1630 for total drive time of 6hrs 45mins with few stops enroute. Met up with Fern and Huguette for a planned supper and had a great evening.  Stayed at Cofortel which provides continental breakfast and weeklong parking for travellers.  


Dec 12th Quebec City-  Travel day today Flight WG770 Quebec City to Panama. Flight schedule on time with flight time of 5hrs30mins temperature departing QC -1 freezing rain, temperature arriving Panama +31 humid ex +34. Man I can handle that easily  Anyhow very uneventful flight, met a few nice people which I'm sure we will see again at our resort as this is SunWing maiden flight to Playa Blanca and the RIU resort. Considering full Boeing 727 coming to the same resort checked in was relatively fast






































Hotel RIU in Playa Blanca is new and very modern so not much life to it in our view.  Feels very square and concrete to us if you know what I mean but so far not too disappointed. Buffet was great. A la carte disappointing.

Boat Cards

Dec 1st - Boat cards arrived today.  Vista Print did a great job, only problem was the designer (JP) used too small of a font so Diane is now re writing all of our contact numbers on the back of the card which is now blank.  Should have, could have , got all our contact info printed on the back for a few dollars more, DAH. Live and learn I guess. (JP)

Fundy National Park. Home of the highest tides in the world.

 Nov 22nd, 2014 - Great day spent in Fundy National park.

Photos taken today in Alma, N B Canada,  home of the highest tides in the world. You will notice on one of the photos, some day markers at the entrance of the local fishing dock. Latitude longitude:  45.6019° N, 64.9433 W for all our friend sailors. If you plan to arrive by sea, be prepared to arrive and leave at high tide only.  Fundy National Park is one of our favourite spots, located 90 km from our home. We try to visit at least once a year. Have included the catch of the day.

Diane

Launch day June 2nd, 2014

June 2nd, 2014 - For the first time since her built, Winged Spirit is getting a taste of salt water
Lets hope she can handle it without too much difficulty.  Special thanks go
out to the Friends of the Shediac Bay for a very stress free and successful launch
Huge thank you guys.  (JP)

Winged Spirit has a Blog

The Winged Spirit has a Blog!
So exited that the Winged Spirit has its own blog. What started as a trial by JP, ended up being our official site for our beloved girl, the Winged Spirit.
As the primary writer of our blog, I plan to share our travels on the CS 36 Merlin. Can't wait to start writting  about our adventures.
Please be patient, as we are only just in the setting up  phase.
Stay posted!
Diane

Winged Spirit arrival May 2014

May 9th, 2014 - After what ended up being a long process Winged Spirit has finally arrived its new home

From the original survey in Oct 2013, to the launch and test sail April 2014, to the

coordinating of the transfer and trucking she is finally officially ours.  Now the fun part

begins, getting up to our standards, and getting up close and personal with her .(JP)

Oct 12th - We find our beloved Winged Spirit

April 19th - Test sail launch RCYC

April 24th - Outer Harbour ready to go

                                                                        to her new home

Sitting Big Stop Salisbury

Until delivery to Romeo's on May 12th, 2014