It was nice to be back in Holland and specially to see my family and friends again. But it would be a busy time at first I had to find somebody to repair the diesel pump and Rene had the solution, coincidental he has had also an issue with his pump and knew how to take the pump out. At first a good dinner at Cannibale Royale du Nord and after the red wine we had a plan for the pump and the autopilot RAM. NHMR in Winkel was the right party to repair the pump and they did in one week. In the mean time we did analyse there must be air in the RAM so Rene found a procedue to refill. After all done the RAM was working perfect.

The mainsail did arrive from Denmark and was dropt at the house of Anja. Fortunately she had a little space left in her store. I did collect it and gave her a nice apple pie. The sail fits very well so does the lazy bag. Resen sails did a good job for a good price. A new glass in the sailstore locker was on the program, at the end I found a party in Zaandam, the glass was ok but to seal it, thats the difficulty. But with sicaflex, the primer and lots of tape if became a peace of cake.

The final part was to place 2 solarpanels insteed of the bimini. I bought 2 panels of 410 Watts so 820 Watts together and a regulator 50 Amp from Victron. But before all fitted I did discover that the lead acid batteries were gone after 4 years. And bought 3 Vartas 140 Amp 200 cycle batteries, in the mean time the led lamps in the cabin started to flash and died. Than I did discover the b&g did not work well anymore and saw the voltage to 40 volts instead of twelve. A big fault, for testing a solar panel was connected and a cheap regulator could not work without the batteries. Again a plan with Rene, I was lucky the diode to protect reverse voltage connection was burned out. After fitted with new ones all was working well.

But after replacing the pump the engine did start one time good and than everytime more worse. After 4 days busy we could not solve the problem. Than the harbor master Kees came and did advice Co form an other yacht. Co came on board and we had to start and he did discover from the old paint that the pump was turned about 10 degrees. After in the right position the engine was starting inmeddidly. Thx Kees and Co.

After a few happy nights with the friends my Amercan crew came on board she should sail with me to Vigo.
08/28 Charlie left Schellingwoude and went on the way to IJmuiden. Plan is to sail in 3 days to Cherbourg and later direction Vigo.

08/29 We did repair and placed many things like solarpanels, autopilot, topbearing rudder, dispays of the speed and course and the biggest the diesel pump. All seems to work fine. 🥰
08/30 We had a good night. Of course we had to forget the nice time in Holland, all of you thanks. Most difficult part was crossing Rotterdam Waterway, there was a lot of traffic and so difficult to find the outcoming ships with all the lights in de background. But with some instructions from Maasmond all went safe. For the coast of Belgium we had the current against us but when we did pass Duinkerke we had the tide with us and a groundspeed of 8 to 9 knots. The hydrogenerator is doing nothing (the cable was damaged) but the solar panels did work perfect. With a little sun just 20 Amps. Autopilot works good with thanks to Rene.🤪

08/31 Duinkerke, Calais and Boulogne sur Mer did pass by. Then nothing just a Shippingline. I did sail by many times, but this time I was worried, too close and tried to correct the course but the wind pushed me more in to the TSS. Than the DSC went off ooohhh now they call me. My crew took the radio and yes where is the captain. With all the rumors about 5 or 10 thousands pounds of fine I was counting my money. A Frenchman "with the typical French spoken accent" asked me to sail more to port to get out of the TSS I was glad we changed the course 30 degrees. With no problem, in no time we did arrive in Cherbourg. The mainsail did a good job, we did set only 1 reef and no games anymore. I have to learn not to touch the main too much.😎

09/01 We have to leave again and we set sail for Camaret sur Mer. Wind is from the NNE 20 knots. Unfortunately the tide is against us and sailed over the North of Alderny and Casquets to have less current. In 4 hours he is with us. 😀
09/03 Many thanks for the birthday greetings. Last night we were at anchor. But now we gonna sail into the harbor for to go ashore to fetch a nice coffee and brownie.
09/6 The Gulf of Casgogne was very kind most of it we had a gentle breeze to sail at the end the wind was weak and took an othere 12 hours to sail into A Carűna.
09/9 A very nice place with all her tapas bars. The harbor is not really cheap so the last night we went for anchor again.
09/10 The wind prediction was just little winds and decided to go for anchor in Camariñas and did hope for some better wind.
09/12 The plan was to go to Vigo, specially because there is a company for propellers, but after communication they said they could not repair mine propeller. In Vigo my crew left and went to Bayona again waiting for some good wind. Now I had to find another place to take Charlie out of the water. Porto had no place for long shore storage and did advice Póvoa de Varzim. One luck, the prices are half of the other harbors. Tomorrow evening the wind is from the North and ok to leave. See you in Póvoa de Varzim. 👋
John and Inge went over and we had an other good time spcially in our bar annex restaurant with every night a grill with a good red wine.
This time went also over. Charlie on the shore John and Inge to Holland and I to Gambia with my pcr test.😀

9 February 2021
Our current position La Linea de Conception. Named to the attack and defense fortress line to siege and try to capture Gibraltar by the Spanish and French troops for a period of nearly 100 years.

After my Yacht Master exam I need 6 months of sailing time to get an MCA approval for Master. This voyage will take 6 months via Canaries, Gambia, Caribbean, Azores to Holland. In the mean time I need 600 Miles experience in Celestical navigation.

10 February
Coen and I will bring Charlie toe the Canaries. We got good news, we did check the Marinas to go and there are no Covid restrictions to enter. Of course ones there we have to obey to the local rules but our first destination seems to be token. Yesterday we did the shopping and when the weather is ok we can set sail.

18 February
Thanks, we had a good journey. In the Strait of Gibraltar we were the whole night busy with a head wind and traffic. When we entered the Atlantic we got the first days a down wind but did die later. After some motoring the trade wind came in for most of the voyage. Currently we are at anchor and try to get a place in the marina in Las Palmas. I am jealous of all the Anton Pieck pictures, life is just choices 🌞

Patrik, welcome as crewmember on board of Charlie and member of our tour du Carribean site. Marco is the moderator and if necessary your family members can always contact him for some information about our voyage.

19 February
Good morning, yesterday we had a day to relax with a beautiful weather but we had also some things to do:
Clearance in to the marina, the covid means, just a few ones like 2 persons in a shop, a cap in side and curfew.
Meeting with Patrik and an other interested crew. Making a food list for 14 weeks and 4/5 crew, where we gonna do all the stores🥵. Visited the welder to weld a part of the steering wheel. A drink on the ponton with other yachties and we did close the day with a pizza, a drink and sailor gossips in the Sailors bar. hahaha.
Today we have to do many small jobs and Patrik is coming on board. The sailmaker is again on the list. Saterday late we gonna set sail for Tenerife (San Miquel).

21 February 2021
Haha a good question, you intended to go North? We left Las Palmas and the plan was to sail over the North but there was so much wind from the North, in a split second just when we threw the ropes ashore. We decided to take the South and had a nice night. This evening we docked in San Miquel. And had a nice dinner with wraps and a good glass of wine

23 February 2021
Today we did the groceries for 17 weeks. 4 big supermarkt wagens full with all kind of stores. When arriving at Charlie we had to find places for all the stuff. Tomorrow we have to complete and still have to do the fresh groceries for the next week. We where in the Lidl in San Miquel and it was just full with pensionades!! White beans 34 pots, but also for the brown beans, kikkererwten and lentils.
South Tenerife is very vulcanic, very sunny and dry. The coutry is full with holiday areas populated by English or Germans.

24 February
We did prepare Charlie and we gonna leave for the fuel station. After we gonna set sail for The Gambia. The plan is to use only 2 jibs so we have to fit the second.

3 March
Thank you all we had a save journey but the health authority was a disappointment we had to show our yellow books, two did not have and had to pay a 30 euros for a new one. It was a trick of him because the books were ready to distribute. I had a problem with my ICP, it was over time and costed me a 20 euros to go on.

A very hospitable welcome in Lamin Lodge made all good. We had a good time with the locals and some trips around and some special parties.

11 March
We have a little change in the crew. Beside me, Gary did arrive from England with little entry problems which had to do with the bribes, the brought him to a closed hotel for a quarantaine and had to pay, Coen the veteran and Guillaume the French. Patrik whom boarded in Las Palmas got a job aboard a luxery motorboat and will leave us. We have now iridium go operational and we can contact at the ocean by text unlimited. We can download gribfiles unlimited. And a SOS function is available when activated it will use the Epirb infrastructure.
Distance about 2173 Miles and will take 16 to 21 days. Today we gonna set sail. 1500 will be low water and due to our draft we have to leave before 1200 or after 1800.

16 March
Message from the Charlie crew. everyone well and enjoying the trip. frustrating last 2 days with very little wind during the day. Our first catch yesterday which gave us a dinner of fish backed in brown butter, white wine and capers. Unfortunately the autopilot is not doing well and we have to steer by hand. Also the power is not doing well but we choosectobkeep the fridge up and running.

18 March
Message from Charlie: Good morning Marco. We did sail very nice this morning so we get close to half way to French Guyana. The weather is beautiful and the waves are small. To do the 4 hours watch is not easy for everybody Coen had a big fight to overwin his sleep.

21 March
Hi Marco, just an update, all well onboard. the trade winds have finally arrived this morning and a good days sail. passed halfway last night approx 2am and just now 7:30 boat time 9:30 UK time celebrating with a glass of wine as we are just now less than 1000 MLS. catching lots of fish and only seen 2 boats the whole time after the first night. Expect Guyana next Saturday/Sunday if the wind stays

26 March
Message from Charlie... Good morning, last 24 hrs we made about 150 miles and have a current of 0.5 to 1 knot against us. With a distance of 347 miles to go our ETA will be Sunday pm. We will navigate in to the river Fleuve Mahury East of Cayenne, the other river close to Cayenne on the West side is not accessible by us due to the draft. Our river has a maintained enterance channel with a depht of around 7 meter and is also used for cargo. Sunday we will hoist the quarantine flag and have a arrival party (come and join us ha ha)

27 March
Message from Charlie, all is going good, however, very hot today. About 200M to go, expected arrival tomorrow night. With the food some things went wrong. The orange jus and chocolate are very popular so we had to talk about the use of it.

1 April
Good morning. Last night we arrived and are for anchor. The entering through the canal was astonishing, we made record speeds on the waves from behind, at first 12 than over 14 knots. The river is tidal and the current is strong. I think we can manage to go by dinkhy to the shore. The office should be open.
We had last night the celebration in to the small hours of our good voyage and now the Monday morning feeling.🤪 But the next morning we discover that the outboard was stolen bbbrrrr.

We visited the harbormaster and we have been talking for hours. He did like us and special our Frenchman. He had big stories about the jungle from anacondas whom came onboard of boats or big and poisoned spiders, lost adventurers, the vietnamese who were dropt in the jungle and more over the inaccessible jungle. Only by river.

3 April
Update Cayenne. The prefect will not allow us to enter the country (order from Macron) and we just can walk around a little, the harbormaster has given a blind eye and is helpful to arrange some things. At first we got a phone number for a nurse who will do a PCR test, this test we can use for the next Island but she nevef came down. Left overs are some fresh shoppings a payment of the harbor fee and some printings of documents.

4 April
Our next destination will be Grenada. Surinam, Trinidad and Tobaco are closed for us for entering. For Granada we have to fill in a Health travel document an are now waiting for a positive response. Beside we have to fill in a Announcement of arrival at the website SailClear and a health declaration.

5 April
When all is finished, probably tomorrow we can start our 700 miles leg with a beam reach wind (halve wind) of 15 to 20 knots. We were not allowed to go to shore so we were not able to fullfill the harbor duties at the harbor office.🌞

6 April
Against expectations we make more miles than expected in a hour. The NW going current gives us more speed. On board we had a discusion about anchoring close to Trinidad but the captain was not in for it because the country has a lock down and you have to report at the harbor of entry. At some island the gave big fines for unauthorized entering their waters.

7 April
Still 157 miles to go but tomorrow afternoon we must become very close to the anchorage of Grenada where we have to anchor and to announce our arrival. From there the autorities will tell us what we have to do. At first a PCR test if the result is negative we can proceed to the other authorities. To go ashore will be a challenge without an outboard, rowing with the 4 of us is not that easy but depend on the wind and sea state. 👋

21 April
Best followers, we have a good time in Grenada. I was lucky to find an other outboard one for a good price. Mercury 5 hp. Only problem was a lekkage of petrol and the engine did stop after 2 minutes. We did clean all but the fuel pump was still not working and we had to visit a mechanic, a thin rubber plate was so hard it could not correct pump anymore. Now the outboard is running well.

We got a new change in the crew. Our gitarman, Guillaume, prefers to go his own way and we said goodbye as friends, thank you Guillaume for your service. Probaly a German guy will join us next month in Sint Maarten.
I got my first vaccination against covid for free, Astra Zeneca. After 4 weeks but before 29 june I have to get a second jab.

The island is a nice place to stay with many bays and many yachts for anchore. Most look like stranded assets they are not able to sail the ocean and need big investment to do so. It looks like many owners are locked, still on board or from home just watch.

9 May
Today Gary took the (a goldn voyage a 800 pounds) plane to Barbedos and shall fly tomorrow to England. Coen and Gerard set sail to Carriacou. Just 28 Miles further but took us 11 hours to get there. In a few days we gonna sail to Sint Maarten, there will enter two new crew members Marco and Dan.

10 May
We lift the anchor and are on the way to st Maarten. 345 Miles in 2 to 3 days we will arrive. Coen had a message, he got a job and is leaving tomorrow uhh.

13 May
Welcome Dan and Marco, they are the new crew members whom will come to Sint Maarten to join us to Bermuda and Azores.

19 May
The new crew is smart and eager so we were very busy with the names of all the parts on the boat but also the sailing terms. Today we did rules, IALA A and B bouyage and navigation. Apart busy with storage, drinking water, cooking and so on. Unbelievable the number of destroyed boats by the heavy hurricane (3 years ago) still visible in the French part must be over a hundred. Big and small yachts half on the shore, keel up, only a mast, lots are without a mast. It gaves a sad feeling, peoples still living on board but without capital to repair. In the Dutch part the firm Koole has a contract to bring all the destroyed yachts to Holland to recycle.

20 May
Good morning, we are ready to take out the anchor and set sail for The Azores, Horta. It will take 3 to 4 weeks. Due to light wind area's our course will be around NNE. We keep in touch. The best was to sail via Bermuda but there is for the next days no wind to go 👋

28 May
Buongiorno, everything is ok. Last night was a night of the squalls we had to set all the reefs and we were lucky with the rain, just a little. We had an other luck we could maintain a true course of 60 degrees, better than straight to The Azores and gonna made over 100 Miles in 24 hrs. We had more luck, Marco our fisherman did cook all the potatoes and fried them in a mix of onions and sausages it was so taste full, he really has hiden talents. On our way we just saw one cargo vessel. 👋

4 June
Good morning all, received some feedback from Charlie crew, all is well onboard, the wind however is not always favourable, thus the progress a bit slower than expected, however they are over the halfway point already. We get used to the 4 hours up and off and most of the time steering by hand when not in a close reach.

6 June
Here a message from the Atlantic. We have beautiful weather with a speed over 3 knots in a desirable direction. Last 24 hrs we made 75 miles and that's not bad for less than 11 knots of wind. But the focast for the next 36 hrs can be much better, the wind is slowing down to less than 5 knots and turning around us and will give a down wind and that's the last thing the Captain wants, this means less speed and a man at the wheel for the right course and less power generation. Monday night we aspect a better wind but far from ideal. Any way our distance to The Azores is shorter again but still 10 to 11 days togo. The atmosphere on board is good and we get used to lentils and pasta every day. Dan saw a whale in a distance and the fisherman lost his expensive most promising fishing tool probably was the line bitten by one of 3 baracudas he saw.

9 June
Some news from Charlie crew. Still 672 miles to go with an estimated 7 days left. They are through the high pressure system and will be picking up speed soon.
The ambiance is good onboard, but looking forward to land...

15 June
Hello all here Marco, Charlie is 19 miles from anchorage. They will be arriving early morning. Tomorrow the required Covid tests etc...

26 June
We had a good time special cafe sport and a tour around the island. But there is always an end. Marco is leaving for Italy to go study and Dan is going on with his tour to Spain, Marocco and Europe.

27 June
Dear followers, Horta is fini, I gonna set sail for Cherbourg and later Holland. Unfortunately there is no other crew available so solo. The weather forecast wind is not to good and no bad weather expected. Today a little wind around the Azores and head wind in the Channel but that's one week to and can change. Sailing time all together ca 15 days.

Leaving Horta was not a difficuly despite there were many anchored yacht i set the main sail and lifted the anchor and sailed between the yachts to open sea. There I tought to set the spinnaker but no, no wind and later head wind.

The start is with the spinnaker for the first 4 days, I hope 🙏. Iridium is stand by. See you 🌞
[06/27, 13:33] Gerard Westmeijer: Speed 2 knots
[06/27, 13:33] Gerard Westmeijer: In half uur ga ik de 150m² spi zetten.
[06/27, 13:35] Gerard Westmeijer: Als je verder weg zit lijkt het even groot als 72m²
[06/27, 13:38] Gerard Westmeijer: Speed 3 knots.
[06/27, 13:59] Gerard Westmeijer: Speed 0
[06/27, 14:24] Gerard Westmeijer: 🙏
[06/27, 15:38] Gerard Westmeijer: Wind ENE 3 kts good course. Later to the West.
[06/27, 15:45] Gerard Westmeijer: Rope pilot on 🤣

28 June
Good morning last message from Charlie . 0100 no wind and that means sail done and a rest. Every 2 hours a check for the promised S wind. Anchor alarm on to see where the boat is drifting, we did 5 miles. At 0600 wind from the West. So coffee, oaths and reefed main up and the 2 jibs rolled out. After 1 hour on the right course with a 2.5 kts and waiting to use the spinnaker. 👋

29 June 2021
Luck, the autopilot is working again. We did use the autopilot in an other situation and he was still working also with a lower voltage. But he needs a higher voltage to start working. Due to all the anchoring and just a little sun in the last days to power the solarpanel was there just 25% or 50 Amp hours left in the batteries and was not enough for the autopilot to start working but now after charging by the hydrogenerator the capacity was 55% et voila.

4 July
Hi all, news from Charlie, change of direction for the next approx 7 hrs, this will be South to avoid a low preasure system with very strong winds of 50 kts.. Basically avoiding the eye of the storm.

5 July
Het is allemaal goed verlopen. Moet nu eerst nog even 6 uur aan het roer dan is het voorbij. het was een goede actie 😃
[07/05, 23:00] Marco: Feedback from Charlie, tired, but all is good... 20kt of wind, but the sea state was terrible. Little accident, a roler from behind did run into the cockpit, the entrance was closed. 😀. But about 150 litres came in via the ventilation pipes.

6 July
Good morning. after a good rest I feel all right to start sail again. Wind West later NW 20kts later 15 kts. see you later.
367 miles to go to Cherbourg. It might take 3 to 5 days to get there.

9 July 2021
Good morning, the autopilot is still working and I did miss the romantic moon and squalls last night. Every 2 hours I did a check if all was ok specially the battery power. So I had a comfortabel night in the bunk 😅😅 .

11 July
Yesterday we made 120 Miles and this day we gonna make about 135 Miles. The battery lost 20 Ah, hope for more wind, more speed and more work for the hydrogenerator. Unfortunately no wind anymore, we just past Le Four and I decided to take the sails down and ro take a good night. Suddenly I woke up and saw a flashlight shining in rhe cabin. The French rescue was on board. A fisherman saw Charlie and tried to contact me, after no reponse from Charlie he did inform Cross Corsen the coast guard. They send the life boat, now I had to contact them and has to apologize.

12 July
Good morning everybody. I just wake up. And slept very well after just one cup (no glasses, anymore) of wine
The fight in the Alderney race i did win!!!!!
Due to a not supported stream program I was at the wrong time and without my engine i did sail back in a 6 knots wind.
But when the time was right a predicted wind of 15 knots came for 4 hours and with 9.5 knots I did fly through the Alderney Race 🥳🥳
3 Miles from Cherbourg the wind dropt to 8 knots but the the prize was there and at 0100 I was moored.

14 July
In Cherbourg I got a new crew, John and his son Tijs came on board. In the harbor we met a Frenchman Patric he was building his catamaran for allready 20 years and started to be complete and ready to challenge the ocean. Patric had a dinkhy for sale and it was for me a good oppertunity he just had to fit under the boom on the deck. For John was it a wish to sail with me at the sea. Actually he was free of watch and did join Tijs and me for servele hours in de morning and night. Tijs did a good job and could manage to pass the ferries from Calais.

16 July
They dont like us to come home. Wind is just North and we have to tack.

The dieselpump was is a very bad situation he was leaking over 1 liter in a hour. Only the locks and the North sea canal had to be past. All whend good Rene came in Amsterdam to say hello, he could tow us in case the engine would fail. But non of this we did arrive in the marina "de Zuiderzee". This was also the end of the journey.

Repair in Holland
8 weeks in The Netherlands for repair and to see friends and family. I had a whole plan to sail with friends in sail Amsterdam but covid destroyed all. The time went very fast, highlights were to see some old sailing friends in Enkhuizen, to sail with the family de Bont and some birthday parties inclusive mine. Most of the time was spend on an exclusive repair of the mast, maintaining the engine, anchor for a kotterstay and installing the stirling battery charger. Further a lot of small things. Also my course to Yachtmaster Ocean has to be noted, due to the covid I was not able to finish the exams in England now I try to solve it in Gibraltar. Part of the requirements was a first aid certificate. I did something about it a long time ago but was impressed how the prosesses are developed and I could update my knowledge, of course I never hope to need it hahaha, anyway dont fall in my hands for health care, I also updated the first aid box special the medicines for pain protection. For the Yachtmaster course I learned a lot and must be honest my knowledge about the total range of navigation and regulation was out of date, our vaarbewijs and kustnavigation are not fully applictable for sailing the European coastal waters.

Amsterdam to Ostend
We are ready to sail out, Serge offered to come and sail with me to Gibraltar, I knew him from the journey from the Canaries to Holland and I was happy about it. We had to wait for the good wind but 6 days he did love to stay in the SW corner with 20 to 30 knots. Saterday 13th he went out is corner for a longer period and this was the time to leave.
The day we left in the early morning, the weather was cold 9⁰ in the morning, we did prepare us by buying cloves, caps, thermo underwear but it was still very fresh. After leaving IJmuiden we good make a good course we were only unhappy with the fact that Serge became seasick in a way that before Rotterdam he directed me to sail in to Rotterdam, I refused because seasick is not a good reason and Rotterdam the worst harbor to enter, I said just go sleep and come back when you feel better. Than Ostend was an option and Serge said I gonna leave the boat. It was to cold and to humid and he was afraid to get bronchitis or angina. Autumn started early it was very fresh and by the rain also humid but I did never expect Serge would leave in this way, he knew the situation of Charlie. He was just thinking to get a prove of his 100 miles for his sailing service time to allowed him to do the Yachtmaster course and wanted me to file it direct, I was not in the mood and would think about it. The sea sickness was gone and he took some hours the helm so I could rest for a while after 12 hours. In the dark morning we entered Ostend and I dropped Serge, both without any emotion and when I went to sea he said the last words that he would not come to sail again.

14 October
Ostend 5.30 the wind is good and I dont want to stay an other day to do what? I was disappointed and left with Charlie in the dark trough the breakwaters and challenging the waves. Now I was alone and had to recover by setting the sails alone and to keep a good navigation between the banks the sunrise was there and the tide was with us. The only problem was to leave the wheel. Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne sur Mer passed by very quick with a gentle breeze and strong tide on our side. The weather was so nice, good temperature, sunny and I felt again the joy of sailing and the freedom. The wind became less and the sleep and pain in my arms became more. The wind had the solution, I stop blowing, sails down and I had a good sleep. In the morning I had the wind on the head and shoul veer to the North so the course NW was set, it went well and was easy to pass the shipping lane. Now I was waiting for a wind shift but was still not there. The wind became stronger and also more ships. To go on was no option, back to the South and I had to cross the traffic, there was no separation zone, so I had the stand on and the othere to give way. It was allready dark and the squals with lots of rain did keep on coming. Than in a tack action, I was busy with the sheets, Charlie was pushed back by a wave and the rudder slammed to the protection but the wheel was turning like a windgenerator shit! The naaf a little peace of steel was broke and had to be replaced but I could not find anything and the winchhandle to turn the bolt to secure the wheel was not fitting well. Charlie was still laying by with her sails up and waves played with the rudder and the shaft was just turning left or right. The only solution was the place back a half piece and hope he will hold the forces. I was lucky I could fix it and start to wheel again. The first container ship asked me to go astern, the second container ship did accept the dsc call but after the name no sign anymore even not after recalls. Then the ship did reduce speed, I was not sure if he was waiting for me or he had an another reason. I decide to go astern than the last 3 boats were from UK, Urk. "Ons thuus" was the last one to cross. In the early morning I entered Cherbourg a France man toke my ropes. Not all the luck I found overthere, the power connector had a big shortcut and hase ro be replaced but the heater was so nice. The solution for the wheel was a piece of metal sawed from a 8 mm bolt. No night live, the last bottle of wine a jump in my bunk.

15 october
Cherbourg a nice stop over it was really needed my arms still felt very stiff of a recovery, they were really over loaded. I have to find an other way to manage the wheel insteed of the power of Jerome. I was slowly with the breakfast and did not prepare enough and saw the tide in the race of Alderny will start soon in the right direction with 6 knots. So the kickstart was started, the storm jib was replaced by the 100% jib because the forcast was NE 3 to 5. In the harbor was no wind at all but outside was a NE 5 blowing and Charlie did love it. We raced through the race of Alderney with 12 knots and sometimes a surf of 14 knots. The waves became higher and I did discover there is a little tolerance to turn the wheel about 5 to 10 degrees and after each wave there is a new tolarance to use. So it is possible with very little hand power to keep a right course and this will save your muscles and tendons of course you must be alert to use the tolerance. We made a good progress but were to early for the good tide of Brest and the wind slowed down to a silly 7 knots. We where close to to the shore and I could exchange information with John, Inge and Marco. Inge had a good weather forecast for me, E to SE 3 to 5 perfect. Sometimes you just have sail out and trust on the fact that you have some bad days and overall more good days of sailing weather. To use the weather an stopover in Camaret sur Mer sould not be smart, now it is sailing time and the girls can wait hahaha. Also the covid can be a problem.

16 October
The bay of Biscay is a head of me the plan was to visit La Garuña but i think the centre will be dead due to the covid and there is the problem with the nice looking killerwhales whom love it to destroy a rudder of a yacht. After cape Finistere I will decide what to do. But at first over 400 miles to go. Windy expect the coming 3 days East to Southwest 3 to 5 and in the end there will be just a few. Bretagne passed and the night start a new chapter, just a little wind and I want to start the engine and do a small nap on the deck, when I wake up the engine was of and we were heading back home. First the boat on his course and research why the engine will not start. They did maintain the engine for a price of nearly a half year Gambian income. The fuel? I can't pump trough normally an overflow will return to the tank. The diesel pump if offered enough a test of the supplypump works was positive. Is the pipe blocked by an electric stopblocker. After cutting the wires from the stopbutton the engine was running as never before, this is the most beautiful music on a boat to hear if you want to listen. Three a clock and needed some sleep and let the boat drift, after 2 hours a check learned that Charlie did sail the proper course on the rope-pilot. A day with nice weather and not any tough to the wheel. Whit the nice sunny weather the celestial heart started to beat, I had to solve a big problem for me, how to bring the result of the electronical calculation to the map. With a help of the RYA yachtmaster course and the block marine I could solve the problem, you don't need a map hahaha. You just need a conversion from latitude minutes to the longitude minutes and that is easy to do with a corcodile diagram. After 5 observations I understand how it works so today an imaginairy bottle of wine for the 3 succeses. To refill the batteries after all the test I am enjoying the sterling charger, by stationair he pumps 25 amps in the battery untill the 14.6 volt what a joy. Before a silly 6 amp came from the alternator and now he can go up over 50 amps, I saw allready 60, the half of the capacity of the alternator if the belt is under the right tension he is even not slipping.

14 june
I have to get used to sailing again, weeks on solid soil in Lamin are due to it. 15.30 I could lift the anchor, for the first time, the chain and anchor are full grown with Lamin Lodge vegatation. It took 2 hours to the Entrance at Banjul, even with 2000 rev was the speed 4.5 knots, the underwater ship has to been cleaned, I expect some periods of no wind than I will try to clean while I am swimming. In the channel I have to engine an other 2 hours meanwhile I hoisted new storm jib, the size is half of the 100% jib. It fits well. For the next days I need the jib so today I will attach him. With a 12 kts wind from the West, later will vecome North, I sailed into the night. Easily could I tighten the wheel and Charlie could make a 4 kts. Every where you could see the fishermen lights, but with some luck and good wind shifts I could sail clear of them. 00.00 I started my watch, every hour I jumped into my bunch and when the alarm went off, I made a quick check on deck and on the map.

17 june
Yesterday the sun set was accompanied with a group of dolphins and now in the morning there is an other group to welcome me. Some of them are really happy by making many salto's. The last 24 hrs we made the biggest progress 94 miles but still 661 left to the Canaries. Even without the autopilot Charlie could sail a steady course 000 degrees, specially with the temporary reef I had to set in the main. The grib files forecasted different winds with a max of 15 kts. Tomorrow morning the wind will be from the North. Charlie is totally brown again of the dust, it only can be from the Sahara, it is transported above high in the sky and coming back on ground level from the West. Yesterday it was macaroni day, today I think about rice with a soya mince beef sauce (knorrox) a product of unilever SA.

19 june
Yesterday we made a nice progress but lost it in the night. The wind was around 16 kts and in the night it became 25 kts and together with the waves made that I had to sail easier and decided to take the main down and the jib half reef, the course became west, half wind. The Sahara dust made the whole boat slippery and i had to take care. This morning the wind was 18 kts and the main with 3 reefs went up and sailing close by the wind. I lost 20 miles vmg, but I am 40 miles more to the west and expect better wind. Beside all the wild movements and rolling I could take a nice coffee and oaths as breakfast. About the corona it seems to be that the measurements are lifted by the 1st of June, I think that time I will arrive overthere.

22 june
There is a hatch that is leaking a bit up front and it becomes a bit of a challenge due to the long tacks he is doing due to the wind. This has the effect that water collects on the port side of the boat(not a problem on starboard), but there is a small pump he uses to remove the water.

23 june
We had a good night, wind 6 bft might have been 5bft. I have a visiter, a pigeon, even when I run trough the cockpit he stays in his corner, he does not like to drink, just sitting and shiting. Just made a tack direction North, this is the best course for the moment to tackle the last 270'. When I tack I also have to replace the hydrogenerator to the other board. With this weather it is a circus attraction. One day he slipped out of my hands and a blad brokes of. The hgen is doing a good job, with a charging current of 4 amp, and the unnecessary things off, the battery stays full. I can chose for a bigger prop and the charging will go up by 40%. On this course a windgen should do better but on the other courses he does nada.

Ik zou net de lunch gaan maken en daar brak de schoot van de jib. gelukkig op de goede plaats en met een snelle actie van de skipper was het klusje snel geklaard. :-).

24 june
The pace is still there, the wind is becoming less and is due to a less speed. But, the waves are more friendly and less water is coming over Charlie, result a few water in Charlie :-). The engine (sails) is doing well but has to be maintained, a rip in the under leech of the jib and some other small damages has to be repaired. The top of the main has some delamination and has to be reinforced. Yesterday broke the sheet, the luck was that he broke on the knit and is still long enough to be used. At the Canaries is a good sailmaker so I hope without delay by corona processes to visit him with all my stuff. In case of the corona, entering Gambia was no problem because I was 4 week alone, now 13 days, so i think max 1 day quarantine, Marco will call to day to find out. I also run out of proviand and have to rob the first super mercado.

25 june
Yesterday was a warm and sunny day with less windforce and wind shifts. The trade winds are also nice because they are steady but islands like Canaries disturb the steadiness. Result, choppy seastate, unpredicted wind changes will make you sailing backwards when you are not on watch. Our eta will be Saterday in the morning.
Tacking with Charlie can be easy, my way is: study first check the parameters specially when you just wake up, hook my lifeline in the center of the wheel and both winches, prepare the winches, luff gets 3 torns and lee, the active winch also, take off the rope of the wheel, if there are no big waves coming, turn the boat slowly to the wind, when she start turning free all the turns from lee winch, with dignity, check, the sheet can run out freely, after crossing the winddirection start pulling from the new active winch, do it quick plus some turns of the handle and tight the sheet, Charlie gets speed and turn the rudder back untill she is sailing close by the wind, check with the windex for the proper angle, now the rope can on the wheel, Charlie is steering her self so take care that the rope is not too tight otherwise the wheel will let her tack.

In case it is very choppy and Charlie is turning slowly she will sail backward and the rudder is steering her in the wrong direction, just anticipate and steer contra.

In case she is unplanned tacking, occurs by less wind and choppy seastate let her go she will turn, gype and sailing close by the wind again, check the tightness of the rope on the wheel. After all I have to change the hydrogen to the lee board. I make notes in the log and set a directionline in the chartplotter so I can check what will be the new course she did sail.



11 july depart Las Palmas

The plan is to leave this afternoon 16.00. Wind is mainly from the North and Stronger close to the continents. We set sail with a course close to the wind and sail more West to advoid the stronger winds. Also is more NW the changes of the wind from better directions see example. Our destination will be Oostende and later Amsterdam. We will pass Brest and if possible we will visit Camaret sur Mer. The duration of the trip is around 3 weeks. Total distance about 1600 miles. On board will be me and Serge.

13 July 2020
Today we feel better, when we left Las Palmas the sea was rough from a Northern direction with force 5. Now we can do our watch 4 on for 4 off. There is nearly no shipping and sea life, so the watch is boring. The wind changed to NE and we can sail a Northern course as we wanted. We sailed over 230 miles and the vmg (velocity straight to Ostend) 145'. Yesterday we were able to make a fresh salade as lunch, as dinner the left over salade with brown beans. This morning we could have a good breakfast with coffee, oats and and a kiwi.
Communication with iridium is bad.

14 July 2020
Today we feel much better, got our stomachs under control and are able to do the cooking and maintenance like water pumping out of the boat. We were close to Madeira and had to choose to pass it on the left or right side. The fast way was the windy side at the right hand, we went for it and the wind did accelerate over 30 knots. I said the principal was to choose west so there is moderately winds like 20 to 25 knots. Then we changed the course to the west side. It was a beautiful sight by night time, it is a beautiful island indeed, specially with the flowers in this time. So the next passage I will have a stop over. The wind is not as predicted we had nice easterly and westerly winds. Near the west point the SE wind was gone. 10 minutes later the Northerly came in with 30 knots, caused by the Venturi effect. Now we are sailing in nice 20 knots with lots of sun. The food is doing well, specially the salade with goat cheese and olives. The jib is doing well but the main sail is broken again, the laminate in the top is finished. He will make Holland. The hydrogenerator has a new bigger prop and did top up the batteries already, this prop has about 30% more return.

17 July 2020
The journey is going well, we made allready a progress of 430 miles in the direction of Ostend and did log allready over 700 miles. The plan will be to make a stop over in Camaret Sur Mer (close to Brest), it is yet 840 miles a head of us. The wind is still from the NE corner and came down from 25 kts to 18 kts and the wave did die out to 1 meter. We set also the main sail with some reefs and are sailing well. Our auto pilot (the rope) is doing so well, comparable with an electric one in this conditions. The tactic to advoid the strong winds for the coast of Portugal and Morocco did work well and now we have to tack back along the gulf of Biscay and hope on a good wind change that will bring as straight to Camaret. We do our watches 4 hour on and 4 hours off, meanwhile the cooking, the dishes, cleaning and navigating the boat.

19 July 2020
Yesterday after the wind did changed more to the North, we did change our course to the East. We have to advoid to sail in to the Azores high pressure with no wind. Our course is now is to the North of Spain about 440 miles away, but nearly half way to Brest. The wind is ok only the direction can be much better. We did fill the day with navigation exercises, cleaning conversations, reading, cooking and sleeping. We have a good time. There is not much traffic, everage we saw one day we saw . Last night we met a Sailing boat "Salsa" on the way to the Azores. AIS did alarm very late, probably he switched on the AIS when he was close to use. We just saw a green light passing by.

We zijn de evenaar gepasseerd, nu nog een paar dagen geduld. Het eten wordt zéér eentonig alle fruit en verse groenten zijn op en kan ik kiezen uit een paar gerechten. Rijst, bonen of pasta met chakalaka en rijst, bonen of pasta met vis of een Knorr saus. Dan ontdek ik nog kant en klaar chili con carne saus met bonen, 10 potten die vergeten zijn, een welkome aanvulling. Het water gaat op rantsoen, de 3 tanken zijn leeg, de laatste door een stommiteit met het testen van het water systeem en is ca 100 liter onder in het schip gelopen, even gedacht dat ik het wel kon gebruiken maar het muizen- en kakkerlakkengif plus de nodige muizenkeutels gaven gelijk een ander idee. Nog ca 50 liter aan boord en ik had slechts 3 liter per dag nodig. Plotseling herrie aan dek, een vis, ja de vissen schuilen tegen rovers en namen mijn aas voor lief, dat was een lekkere afwisseling. De volgende dag nog een. Vanuit Walvis bay heb ik nog wel vliegende vissen aan dek gevonden en gebakken, smaken wel lekker.
Nog 200 mijl naar de kust van West Afrika, Liberia, in mijn achterhoofd zitten de piraten, dichtbij is laatst nog een vrachtschip geënterd. Af en toe een mysterieus schip, slechte navigatie verlichting, geen AIS dan begint het al te rommelen in mijn hoofd. Wat is mijn preperation, ik moet maar vertrouwen om mijn communicatieve vaardigheden. Wapens heeft geen enkele zin en lokt geweld uit tegenover een grotere macht. Maar niets van dat, ook de zeegaande visserskanoos hebben geen tijd voor mij en zijn druk bezig met hun job. s'Middags half dromend achter het roer plotsklap een schreeuw om stil te gaan liggen. Komt er een grijze barkas met machine geweer en een bewapende 10 koppige bemanning met machine geweren in de aanslag achterop lopen. Mijn snelheid stelde niets voor en concentreerde ik me op het ontvangst van de trossen. Een grote Afrikaan in een guerilla uniform met 3 strepen kwam aan boord. Hij begon onduidelijke vragen in het Frans te stellen. Mij hand accepteerde hij niet en wilde mijn paspoort en scheepspapieren zien. In kon wat met hen communiceren maar hij bleef ijskoud. Dan een inspectie in de kajuit en banken. Hij vond het vreemd dat ik alleen was en uit zijn klungelligheid ervaarde ik dat hij van inspectie van jachten geen kaas had gegeëten. Ik vroeg of hij op zoek was naar piraten en beantwoorde het met een volmondige oui. De tank werd nog even bijgevuld en met 2 keer 250pk verdwenen ze aan de horizon. Zo, dat voelde veilig.
De wind was tegen en ik kon niet om de banken van Guinea Bissau heen komen en besloot ik maar om al het tuig neer te halen en te wachten. Na 5 uur kom ik uit de kooi en de weergoden waren van gedachte veranderd en kon ik met de juiste koers verder. Later ging het tij tegen lopen en koos ik voor een sluiproute tussen de banken door. De kaart van Navionics gaf met al zijn dieptelijnen een zeer betrouwbare indruk en durfde ik het wel aan om de 9m dieptelijn te volgen. Het ging de hele ochtend lekker vlot tot de diepte meter plotseling begon op te lopen naar 5, 4 en later 3 meter. Het werd nu toch echt spannend en hield ik rekening met een mogelijkheid om even de bodem te raken. Het is bij een klein schraapje gebleven terwijl de map vrolijk 8,5m aangaf en er zeker nog een halve meter tij boven stond.
Gambia kwam in beeld, de pirroc's verschenen en voelde het als thuis komen. Ik word gebeld door Aji en was de hemel te rijk, ze informeerde mij over de corona crisis en ik wist van niets. De nacht begon en de rood en groene flikker lichten van de vissermannen waren op een flink aantal plaatsen te zien. Met 3 knopen kon ik lekker vaarthouden en naderde een pirroc met de bemanning aan het werk, ze dragen led lampen op hun voorhoofd die alle kanten opschijnen en is het dus duidelijk dat er gewerkt wordt maar verder weet je niet wat je er mee moet. Dan een lichtstraal in het water aan BB en SB, een net whauw hoe loopt dat af, het net geeft mee en duikt onder de kiel door, ik voel het over de schroef gaan en dan onder het roer door en springt achter mij omhoog. Een hoop herrie in de pirroc en ik vaar maar door maar test wel even de schroef, die bleek normaal te functioneren. Later nog een en vaar ik maar op de pirroc af om uit re vinden waar het net heen gaat. Geen idee wat ik moet, een hoop herrie en gescheld inplaats van een goed signaal hoe te passeren maar geen net meer gezien.
De wind zakt weg en komt later weer terug, met 6 knopen vaar ik de rivier op en lig 2 twee uur later voor anker.
Het is eerste paasdag, kantoren gesloten en de corona maatregelen belemmeren mij om het haven terrein te verlaten inmiddels was Aji en Gboy gearriveerd en moest ik wachten op een amtenaar die de coronatest zou doen. Na 2 uur arriveerde hij en togen we naar zijn kantoor. Ik werd geconfronteerd met een lijst van màatregelen die gelden voor een inspectie van een commercieel vaartuig en de lijst verdween. Het duurde een half uur toen hield hij de thermometer tegen mijn voorhoofd en scoorde ik een groene uitslag ik was corona vrij. Uiteraard was het hem te doen om wat smeergeld maar daar trap ik niet in. Volgende dag de customs, ook daar weer wachten tot de inspectie man mijn document wilde tekenen, na een half uur! Ik had alle tijd en zat breed uit naar het nieuws te kijken haha. Ik kreeg de toevoeging dat ik moest melden dat hij mijn schip had geinspecteerd.
Na het verkrijgen van een vaarpermid van de havenmeester voor 22 euro mocht ik eindelijk de rivier op naar Lamin Lodge.
Heerlijk na 5 weken een langere poos voor anker om uitgestelde reparaties te doen en verder met de guesthouse. De elektra was gerealiseerd en een bed was door Aji geregeld zo konden we lekker in ons eigen verblijf gaan wonen.
Gelijktijdig vernam ik de commotie rond mijn vermissing, het geeft een goed gevoel dat er een partij is die zich zorgen maakt over mjjn onbezorgde handelen, volgende keer toch maar weer een sateliet verbinding nemen.

Kaapstad
Het is weer vertrouwd om in de RCYC te liggen, echter het zou maar voor korte duur zijn. Weer de nodige reparaties, nieuwe stuurlijnen, Rutgerson karren, metalen plaat plus hoeklijn om stuurboord klamp te repareren, uit het water om even de boel schoon te spuiten, helaas moet het met hoog water gebeuren en dat was in de namiddag en het personeel was al in de houding om naar huis te gaan maar met wat drukken en trekken werd het toch geklaard. Wayne van het tweede hands groot zeil had ook nog een fok in de aanbieding na wat onderhandelen wilde hij er voor niet al te veel geld afstand van doen. In het restaurant was wat veranderd, de T-bones waar ik zo lekker van kon smullen waren van een slechtere kwaliteit, de kok had zijn best gedaan, daar lag het niet aan. De vaste club wijn was er ook niet meer en was er geen goede vervanger. Na twee keer de T- bone proberen hield ik het voor gezien. Nog even waterfront verkend en voelde het tijd was om verder te gaan.

Walvis bay
Dan kon zich niet meer vrij maken om mee naar Walvis bay te varen en betekende dit dat mijn record solozeilen opgerekt zou woden tot zo'n 700 mijl. Het rot stukje nam toch maar even negen dagen in beslag. Deze kust staat bekend om zijn mist en de nodige windstiltes en heb ik dus 4 keer het hele tuig neergehaald om op wind te wachten. En vervolgens is er weer een stevige wind met flink wat swell van achter, het roer begint onnauwkeuriger te sturen en ik hoor gekraak van polyester, oh wat is er nu weer aan de hand, de automaat aan het werk en ik het gat in om het stuurwerk te analyseren, het leek op loos in de stuurdraden en dus de moeren wat aangedraaid maar nog niet verholpen tot ik zag dat het stuurlager door het polyester was heengetrokkken, balen, wat nu. Een rvs plaat waar de tv aan hing kon ik wel gebruiken, een gat erbij geboord en een bout in bevestigd waar het lager om heen kon draaien. Zo dat werkt voorlopig. Er is vrijwel geen scheepvaart en voor de ingang van de bay moest er zo nodig in dichte mist recht op mijn kont worden gestuurd door een groot fabrieks visserschip. Na 4 oproepen kwam er een reactie "cope" en de koers ging 20 graden om. De visserslui hebben een week gevaren en zijn moe en hebben hun eigen taaltje ontwikkeld om via de marifoon te communiceren. Met dichte mist lopen we de jacht ankerplaats aan. Vol concentratie om de route op de kaart te vinden vergat ik buiten te kijken tot ik plotsklap een mast voorbij zag gaan Oei, anker plaats vol jachtjes en chartervaart dat was goed afgelopen. Dinkhy te water en naar de yacht club. Daar werd ik hartelijk ontvangen echter ze hadden weinig te bieden, voor €45 kon ik 5 dagen komen liggen. Ik herkende Walvis bay na 46 jaar nauwelijks meer. De wegen waren in middels geasfalteerd en het Atlantic hotel was gesloopd en een nieuwe is gebouwd. Daar eerst maar even kijken, na mijn verhaal te hebben gedaan en een oude foto gegeven boden ze een paar drinkjes en vrij internet aan. De nieuwe eigenaar is een Griek. Gelet op de datum wilde ik de volgende dag weer uitvaren, later zal ik de omgeving nog wel weer eens bekijken. s'Avonds een biertje in het clubhuis van de visclub bracht nog wat reuring ik kreeg een biertje aangeboden en praten nog wat na tot dat hij over de apartheid begint. Hij leefde nog echt van voor 1994, in Zuid Afrika lijkt iedereen de omwenteling na 25 jaar geaccepteerd te hebben, ook al is men er niet echt blij mee, in ieder geval ik kon geen goed meer doen en hij verliet boos de club. Voor mij was het een domper de volgende ochtend nog even naar de administratie van de jacht club om te melden dat ik een dag wel wil betalen maar een temporary membership zonder echte faciliteiten behoudens een openbare douche voor €45 ging mij te ver. En dit mocht ik nou net niet zeggen, ik was "rude" and the woman, complained that the visitors dont want to pay the fee and start argumenting about it and she just did the job voluntarily........ Eén dag betalen mocht niet dus eind van de middag anker op. Zeker omdat de wind voor de komende 12 uur zeer goed zou zijn en daarna tegen en later niets.

Gambia
Dat ging lekker met 7 a 8 knopen richting st Helena, passaat zeilen dat ging goed, windkracht 4 a 5, vrijwel niet meer en ook niet minder, vaste richting. Bij nader inzien had ik niet de middelen om even bij St Helena aan land te gaan en ga ik volgende keer hier tijd voor uittrekken dus koers richting Gambia. Bij solo varen heb je in een keer zeëen van tijd. Dus even de email box opgeschoond en klusjes doen tot ik de sekstand tegen kwam, ja daar moest ook nog wat mee. Indertijd begonnen met het boek Zeezeilen en de REEDS almanac om positielijnen in te meten en in de zeekaart te zetten. De rekenaarrij met logaritmen en HO tafels kon je uren bezighouden, met een tweede positielijn 4 uur later gaf een redelijk positie ( met de gps even controleren). In het electronische tijd perk is er veel veranderd, geen boekwerken en logaritmen meer. Wel nog positielijnen in de kaart zetten of een app die dit voor je doet en de lengte en breedte van je positie weergeven. Na zo'n 20 excercities begon je er handig in te worden. Daarna zijn de sterren aan de beurt en dit geschied in de twilight zone, globaal half uur lang voor zon's opkomst of na ondergang. Alleen de Nautische sterren zijn van belang, dit zijn de sterren die je het eerste ziet, het sterrenbeeld heeft geen toegevoede waarde. De sterren en planeten dienen goed gemutst te zijn, indien er bewolking is spelen ze graag verstopertje en is het regelmatig kiekeboe, uiteraard doet een nog goede waarneembare horizon ook mee. De ster of planeet bepaal je door de verwachte hoogte in te stellen en dan richting het opgegeven azimut. Voor de richting gebruik ik een handpeil kompas met een zelfverlichte roos. Na twee goede hoogte bepalingen onder een goede kruisende hoek van zeg 90 graden geven een positie tot een paar mijl nauwkeurig.
Met respect voor de Fransen, die bieden nog steeds een mogelijkheid om zonder calculator positie (hoogte) lijnen te bepalen. Hun wiskundigen hebben de tafels en tabellen tot 2 tabelletjes teruggebracht die op één A4 passen om tijd naar hoeken omterekenen en weer terug. Plus 3 A4jes voor vaststellen uurhoek tov GMT. Zie hier voor de "bloc marine" een prachtige almanac zoals die behoort te zijn, een beetje frans moet je op de koop toe nemen, alhoewel de Atlantic versie ook beknopte Engelse vertaling toevoegt.

Ca 3000 mijl, de eerste twee duizend lekker down wind zeilen en dan stopt je stuurautomaat er mee, de hydraulische RAM heeft de geest gegeven, waarschijnlijk overbelast, hij heeft heel wat staan gieren, onderweg geprobeerd het te minimaliseren maar de diverse modes hebben geen invloed. En het gieren is niet nodig alleen de achteroplopende golven moeten goed gepareerd worden, dus ter reparatie, of het moet iets simpels zijn van olie bijvullen. Ik hoop dat B&G inmiddels betere software heeft voor de seastate condities. Gelijk zijn we de rand van het doldrumgebied genaderd en moet de windpilot aan de slag maar met weinig snelheid en veel swell bakt hj er niet veel van. Moedeloos het schip maar aan zijn lot overgelaten en eens goed geslapen. Bij het wakker worden zie ik dat de boot netjes koers heeft gehouden met alleen het grootzeil op bij 8 knopen wind heeft hij mooi 25 mijl afgelegd. Dus nu veel experimenteren bij het trimmen van het tuig voor een goede koers, de fok is meestal de boosdoener, behalve bij aan de wind.
De doldrums hebben hun eigen regels, hebben veel winddraaiingen uit alle hoeken voor niet langer dan een uur of 6 met windsnelheden van 1 tot 15 knopen. Veel wolkbreuken die bruikbare wind tot max 20 knopen kunnen produceren. Regelmatig een flinke onweersbui en hier ben ik toch wel even van geschrokken, de bui rolt gewoon over je heen, ontsnappen is niet mogelijk en dan begint de light and thunder show. Rondom en bovenlangs honderden licht flitsen, dicht bij en veraf soms verblindend. Een wonder dat er niet is ingeslagen, in ieder geval niet het tuig vasthouden om elektrocutie te voor komen, het stuurwiel vertrouwde ik nog en liet de bui maar over mij heen komen. En dan de wind 25 knopen uit de goede richting en hebben we zowaar nog 5 mijl afgelegd. Na ruim een half uur was het over en de wind weg. Tuig neer gehaald en een borrel genomen om van de schrik te bekomen. Een aanpassing van je psyche is dringend nodig, eerst daggemiddelden van boven de 150 mijl en nu zomaar 40 of 20. Er valt niets meer te plannen alleen hopen en zorgen dat je moraal er niet onder lijdt.