So, we arrived yesterday morning on the island of Sal, part of the Cape Verden. Sal is the most northeastern island of the Cape Verden. It is flat, 30 km long and 12 km wide, with lots of beaches and tourism focuses mainly on water sports. Just right for us, as we are due for a week of no sailing, swimming and beach life. The trip here took exactly three days and actually went very well. The first day after our departure from Banjal, we first have very little wind and then a slight head wind, so we use the engine for that part. The sea is still very calm. The fishing line is out and just before dinner we catch a beautiful fish, 30-40 cm long, with delicious white meat. We put it in the oven with some potatoes and carrots and then we have a delicious dinner.

Once past the land point of Dakar (during the 1st evening) the wind comes from the north and then it is easy to sail. Quite high though, wind force 4-5, with a short wave making life on board quite bumpy. Fortunately, it does not affect our waiting or our sleeping, because all four of us sleep well during this trip. The second day we don't do much more than lie down, sleep, listen to music and eat little. The girls are a bit seasick and don't feel like eating until the evening. Toine and I feel well, not seasick, but not much like eating either. The second night, the wind sometimes turns to the northwest so we have to sail as high as possible. Fortunately, we just manage to do that. This doesn't last long, because in the morning of the third day, the wind is increasing and decreases to force 3-4. Also the sea becomes calmer during the day with a longer swell. That's why things are much better on board. The girls are in a great mood and are already working on their Saint Nicholas poem and suprise. We decided to skip school and make up for it later on. Food is also a lot better and so we get through the day. The last night is very quiet, with little wind and a calm sea. For a long time the moon shines and we see some stars again (the previous two nights were completely dark because it was cloudy).

We sail effortlessly within sight of the Barbarossa throughout the trip and have regular contact over the VHF radio. For example, during our morning watch (6-9 am) Ellen and I now routinely have our 'morning chat' while the rest are still asleep, which is very enjoyable. On the 4th morning we soon get land in sight. Just before noon we drop our anchor in a large bay with turquoise very clear water and a white sandy beach with a nice surf. We immediately take a dive into the water which is wonderfully refreshing. In the afternoon, we explore the village and buy bread, eggs, vegetables and meat so that we can eat well and deliciously on the boat in the evening and this morning. We crawl into bed early and have a fine long night without sailing and waiting. With a still boat, although that is not really the case because there is quite a swell in this bay. A second anchor ensures that we are lying perpendicular to the swell and then it is fortunately doable.