After a trip of 6 days and 15 hours (all sailed, only 3 hours mothered) we dropped our anchor last night at 3.00 am at Half Die, the anchorage near Banjul, the capital of The Gambia at the beginning of...
Swimming and karting with the Barbarossa
We had to get up early because we had to catch the ferry together with the barbarossa. it was a few minutes walk to the ferry (about 5 minutes). when we got there we had to show our passports. we didn't have them...
Karting with the Barbarossa
We had to get up very early for karting. Together with the Barbarossa we went to the ferry. I was allowed chips. That was good. When we got there we went karting. The kids were allowed first. Then the parents. Giel and...
After crossing from Madeira a week on La Gomera
On Saturday morning (Oct 24th) we say goodbye to Mom, Inge and Luc at 6.15 a.m. when they are picked up by a taxi to go to the airport. We look back on a very nice and valuable week. As well as...
Cousin, aunt and grandmother visiting
Last Saturday we went to pick up Luc, Inge and Grandma from the airport. It was completely dark when we drove there. We went through six tunnels. The longest tunnel was 2 km. We also ate apple pie that...
Family reunion on Madeira
For a change, an (uncensored) travel report by a guest author. I (Inge) went on a week visit with mum and Luc, with a suitcase full of presents, herbs, malaria pills, books about Gambia and technical gadgets for the boat. Saturday October 17th...
Porto Santo
Porto Santo is a beautiful island, not so big, with volcanic peaks (700 meters), rough landscape full of cacti and a beautiful yellow sandy beach on the south side. There we are all alone at anchor just in front of the village. We bring a...
Crossing to Madeira
We leave Vila Real de San Antonio at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday morning for the crossing to Madeira of about 505 nautical miles (1 nautical mile = 1.8 km), where we expect to cross 4 to 4.5 miles; the longest crossing...
The Algarve
Last week we explored the Algarve, which is very different from Spain or the west coast of Portugal. First of all it is warmer (25+ degrees) and also the seawater has a more comfortable temperature so...
Years on the boat
Saturday and Sunday was my birthday. I got the castle from Harry Potter. I built it on my own. And then Eline and I went to play with it. I also got lots of candy. We got...
The Portuguese west coast - little wind and lots of dolphins
From Porto we sail in two long stages of 30 and 24 hours to the Algarve (south coast of Portugal). These trips are characterized by little wind (where is the Portuguese North of 4-6 Bft. that is supposed to blow here?) and...
Skyping with the class, dolphins and basketballs
Hello everyone! I'm in Porto orphans playing basketball with Giel, he's from the barbarossa and he's also sailing with us. I learned a difficult trick from Giel, and now I can do it very well. You have to do the...
Marinth in Portugal
Dear everyone. How are you? I'm fine. We're in portugal now. I really enjoyed skyping with the class. But it was also exciting. It was really nice to see everyone again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
In the middle of Porto on the quay
We are located right in the centre of Porto on the quay wall which is not really intended for sailing boats. The Reeds and our other pilot advise against taking a sailboat to Porto. The river entrance can be dangerous,....
The last piece of Spain
At the moment we are in Baiona; the last Spanish place we visit before we go to Portugal. Last week we made very quiet and short sailing trips on sheltered water, which will be different soon, because....