"Not this route - I'd never been in Panama before, since the English aren't exactly welcome - but I've come around to this sea a few times, with Jack and with the Navy. When I was about your age, I pulled the unfortunate task of serving on a ship sent to show the flag to the Pacific. We went dwon past Tierra del Fuego, across to Australia, and then back. Took over a year, and when we weren't caught in gale, we did our best not to roast." Strange that there seems a tiny glint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Best to avoid journeys that long if you can."