A great trip!

21 August 2013

Update by first mate Maarten:
“After an easy start with little wind, we reached Cape Leeuwin and the wind came. Of course we set all the sails and we could turn off the engine. It is a great feeling when all you hear is the water against the bow and the soft squeaking of the masts and ropes! I love it!
The wind kept us busy as it kept turning and we needed to adjust the sails with every wind shift.  In 40 hours we had seen all the sails a few times up and down.

Unfortunately the wind decreased and all that was left was the swell. So we started up the engine and took down all the sails. After a few hours the wind came back and it was more stable in strength and Beaufort so we are now sailing steady. At sunrise the wind was gone again, but is now back and there are no clouds in the sky. It will be a beautiful day! The last few days we have seen humpback whales and we regularly get visits from albatrosses. For us it is almost a normal thing but we have to remind ourselves it is not! Six months ago I had never seen an albatross and how often do you see a whale swimming by?! It is a great trip! And it is far from over.”