We hang out for a few days in the south of Norway around Egersund. Our last anchorage is in a beautiful bay next to a lighthouse surrounded by big boulders and rocks. After dinner we had a lovely sunset walk to the lighthouse. A golden light shining on the sea stretching out in front of us, the sea we would set sail on again tomorrow. But for now we basked in the sunrays as we hopped over the boulders around the lighthouse. Laughing and enjoying our last night in Norway.

We heaved anchor around 8 am the next morning. Dressed up in full foul-weather gear and everything stowed sea-tight. We would have to get through a little front with lots of wind and rain before finding more favourable weather for the crossing. As we set sail it was still dry and a perfect sailing breeze, but soon enough we found ourselves in 30 knots of wind and torrential rain. After all the relative smooth sailing in Norway this came as a fun change and we stood behind the wheel holding the dodger. Our faces in the wind being struck by streams of rain as Guppy’s bowsprit plunged underwater, we watched as she shook all the water off and sped further, ready to take on the next wave. We loved it, and were all a little disappointed when the wind already started to slow down that afternoon. The night found us in a calm, partly sailing, slowly bobbing around on some left over waves and motoring for a few hours as well as the weather settled into another direction.

I lay in bed thinking how wonderful it is to have someone outside whom you fully trust. But even so I never sleep sound the first night at sea, I listen for hours to all the sounds of Guppy, ingraining them into my subconscious.

Knowing that if anything changes, I will wake up from it, as I should. And so the first night I never get much sleep, but lying in bed for a few hours still gets me a little rest, thinking and listening as I enjoy the feeling of being lifted up and pressed back down into the mattress with each wave.

We crossed to the Netherlands in two and a half days, a fast crossing despite having very little wind and some drifting in the middle. As we arrived in Vlieland there was a mix of excitement and sadness, our last stop before the end of this journey. We made the most of it. Walking around, swimming at the beach and playing games together. Our last night together onboard we spend anchored on the IJsselmeer. Back on fresh water. We had promised everyone they could go up the mast at least one time, and so consequently I had a decent workout hoisting everyone up. We swam, wakeboarded and reminisced about our journey.

As we sailed through the piers of Medemblik, parents and family stood on the dyke, waving us in. Lots of hugs and excited stories followed as soon as we docked. As usual we finished our journey all together in Restaurant the Driemaster. They had prepared another lovely meal for us to enjoy as the kids received their awards and we watched the movie I had made of our three-month journey. Three months, wow! That went by very fast, too fast.

Every journey is so unique, every group is so different. we enjoy all of them so much. Now we have a week of rest, well, semi-rest. It will be quiet on board as we clean and prepare Guppy for the summer camp coming up.

Laura