It is day ten since we left Samoa. We had a bit of a rocky start with seasickness as a result, luckily it has not gotten to me – yet. ;-)

It has been a bit difficult for me figuring out what to write about in this blog. People tell me to write about my thoughts and feelings concerning this adventure. My thoughts are concentrated around the everyday life onboard: which shifts do I have today, will we catch fish for dinner, do I have any clean clothes left or do I have to wash some, etc. I'm here on this ship in body and mind. Even on the night watch when we're quiet and star gazing, I'm just here. No big thoughts about before or after. And without me noticing, life at sea has snug up on me. I learn new stuff everyday, and the permanent fantastic crew, allows me – to steer the wheel, to help set and pack the sails, to pull and release the various ropes and to ask silly questions. They patiently tell me about relative wind, knots, nautical miles, etc. And surprise: it grows on me! There IS something about being on the ocean in a sailboat. I stick my head up on deck in the morning with a toothbrush in my mouth, and look out across the deep blue – I'm a happy camper.

The not so funny fun stuff is the countless times I've banged my head on the boom, smashed into the steel railings in the toilet hitting the same bruise again and again, making coffee on saltwater by mistake, or cooking for 11 people in a very confined and hot space, that demands a lot of patience which is NOT my strong suit. This is where the great crew steps up; really fine people – both 'my' crew and the permanent one. We're a good team working together. Good stories and good laughs. And movie nights on the sun sail – thank you Thomas. ;-)

Having said all this, perhaps my 'small' thoughts make a bit more sense. I feel so lucky to be right here right now – all is good. :-)

Report from Bosun Bertram:
Easterly winds and a south westerly course - time for the asymmetric spinnaker!

This morning, after a solid breakfast, we put up our colourful asymmetric spinnaker to squeeze some extra speed out of the easterly winds we are having these days. Great teamwork from the crew who had never set a spinnaker this size but managed with excellence. We have made an average speed of 7-8 knots throughout the day, which weighs up for the lack of wind we have this evening. Mr. Perkins is back on the job keeping our speed at 7 knots with all sails set - yankie, stay sail and a full main.

Local time onboard is 01:30 and our current position is 33,39.8S , 177,44.79E