After a short visit in La Coruna where our young crew has visited an old fort we jump on the next weather window and depart the marina after lunch. Heading into the night, sailing towards a beautiful sunset while smoothly crushing waves under the bow. We sailed through most of the night until the wind finally died and we run the engine for a few hours. Our time along the Portuguese coast is mostly smooth sailing with periods of motoring when the wind becomes to little. Everyday dolphins play under the bowsprit and a few more orcas are spotted further away. Even one turtle that flapped it’s flippers at us.

After passing Lisbon we crossed over the busy shipping lane and head offshore for the 700nm of ocean that still separates us from Lanzarote. The wind has finally found it’s strength back and we are now zooming along at 8,5 knots. Everyone on board has gotten into a rhythm. Most days are spend reading, watching the ocean and doing schoolwork besides the daily chores and watches. Some of the teens sit outside all day watching the ocean and we need to tell them to go down below to get some sleep, whereas others prefer to sit down below all day and we need to drag them out for watches. Although in all cases ones they are outside it doesn’t seem so bad anymore and quiet often they will sit outside much longer then their watch enjoying some music and the company of each other.  

Because of the great weather we have been able to bake more bread and I have to admit that at least the bread has become really tasty and enjoyable. Some of the other creations have been questionable but with Sanders guidance in the kitchen, this is also slowly improving. I haven’t been allowed back in the kitchen after messing up some pasta on a rough day of sailing.. I don’t mind so much 😉  it’s really enjoyable to see the teens growing towards each other and learning more everyday. Somehow for me making this journey with them it’s like making my own teen journey again. 350nm from Lanzarote the wind is starting to pick up, a big front has come down and is now raging in front of Portugal. We get the tail of wind about 20 – 35 knots. But the seas are building up very rapidly with a big swell coming down from the north as well. Just after night fall while I’m standing on the helm, I hear a big rumbling sound behind me. I feel the aft ship being lifted as I position the boat ready for a surf, like I have done so often on my ‘’little’’ Guppy. It feels so natural. As I still wonder how the 50 tons of this big bellied ship are going to do on this one 7 meter breaking wave, I feel her planing and humming underneath while the plotter shows a very satisfying 16,5 knots. Yes, speed record set! We didn’t get any more of these big waves although Sander managed to get a complete crashing wave right over him behind the wheel, while the two girls out on watch stayed dry. Throughout the following one and a half days we did make really good progress under inner staysail and reefed main. These waves however require more experience to steer than the few days each teen has so far. The autopilot could probably handle most of it, but we would rather not take the risk of knocking the boat down and have someone get hurt. So that meant a tiring period for Sander and me as we swapped each other out hand steering. But it’s really nice to have company outside while we slowly get blisters on our hands. On the afternoon of the 5th of December which is when sinterklaas is celebrated in the Netherlands we got land in sight. I was very surprised that this time I actually heard someone say Land Ahoy! Instead of ‘’I have messages!’’ Or ‘’Yes 4G’’ 

We had planned to spend sinterklaas eve anchored in front of Graciosa which is an amazing anchorage, in calm weather.. The weather didn’t calm down. So we diverted our path and headed to Marina Rubicon instead where we arrived around midnight. After some sleep and a big clean up we headed out into town to rent two cars. So we’re ready to go on wheels and see some volcanoes, lava tunnels and more exciting stuff. Off for an early evening after having our delayed ‘’sinterklaas feest’’ 

Laura