Harbor time is beautiful time

Saturday, 16.11.2019

Today the boat is supposed to arrive in the morning and in the evening we wanted to set sail. We were supposed to catch a suitable weather window to make the jump to the Canary Islands. So Nina and I get up early, pack our things, and get ready to go. Then life taught us an important lesson once again. Plans are made to be thrown overboard. Especially in sailing.

The boat arrived in the afternoon and the crew got to know each other. Things continued quickly, Nina and I went grocery shopping, the others cleaned the boat and prepared it. We were supposed to leave late in the evening. During dinner came the (not so) happy news: we're staying. And waiting.

Sunday, 17.11.2019

First night on the boat was good. It's probably not so bad that we can get used to life on a constantly rocking mini-house with limited space. Since we wanted to leave tomorrow morning, Nina, Simon, and I went to Gibraltar for the sunrise (a bit late) and sneaked onto the mountain before opening hours. The monkeys up there are surprisingly very trusting, almost too much. They even deloused us and took everything they could get their hands on. One cheeky monkey stole the seasickness plaster that I had stuck behind my ear. Another one targeted my backpack and opened the zipper within seconds. Luckily, we managed to scare it away. The monkeys have a firm grip on the people up here. They are fed and kept like in a zoo without any fences.

Back on the boat, I was appointed treasurer and opened the onboard fund. We also had our first onboard briefing. Special attention was given to the functioning of the toilets (complex) and the risk of cockroach infestation (very dangerous).

Monday, 18.11.2019

The 'We're-about-to-leave' game starts anew every day. Of course, nobody means it badly and nobody can influence the weather, but it's really starting to get on everyone's nerves. We're still in the harbor in La Línea. We stocked up on provisions again and are slowly finding a rhythm of sleeping, cooking, eating, siesta, cooking, eating, and sleeping again. We had a movie night (Breakfast at Tiffany's).

Tuesday, 19.11.2019

Let's go! This time for real! Departure was at 09:00, but not to Lanzarote, first through the strait between Europe and Africa, and then a short stretch along the Spanish coast to Barbate. We docked again in the evening in the harbor. We were able to sail a small part of the way, the rest was done by motor. The wind is still against us. Sailing is much more pleasant, quieter and less noisy.

So far, no one has been seasick, but it hasn't been really wild yet. I actually suffer more from the effect of the anti-seasickness patch than from seasickness itself. It affects my vision extremely, making it hard for me to see things up close. I can hardly read my phone and my diary. While this is a known side effect, it is still incredibly frustrating.

Wednesday, 20.11.2019

Since we're probably not going to leave until the weekend, I removed the patch. I already feel better. The next few days are forecasted to be windy, rainy, and wavy.

There are repairs and maintenance work being done in the harbor. The engine is being overhauled. All sorts of filters and pumps are being cleaned or replaced. I help with the oil change and am mostly in the kitchen.

The biggest challenge is the limited space. You're always in someone's way, tripping over something, or bumping into someone. Everything needs to be put back in its place immediately, or chaos will ensue in no time. Every centimeter is used wisely.

For breakfast, we usually have a simple porridge (oatmeal, nuts, dried fruits, and tea poured over). For lunch, we had a highlight: rice pudding. It's actually one of the few meals that we all eat. There was a version with coconut milk (vegan), but apart from that, there's always at least one person who eats something different. We actually all have different dietary plans. But so far, we're managing pretty well.

Today, Nina and I rearranged and labeled the food storage boxes and then tried to move/stretch a little because the body stiffens up quickly. I have a bit of a sore throat.

Thursday, 21.11.2019

Since cabin fever is looming, Simon, Christoph, and I went for a hike despite the forecast of rain. We wrapped up warm and walked along the coast towards the northwest. We walked through a beautiful pine forest and returned along the cliffs and the beach. Despite the foggy sky and the rain, the colors were amazing. Blue sea, green forest, and red cliffs. For 3 hours, we put our rain gear to the test. No one arrived dry.

There are wet clothes hanging everywhere, the air is damp, and there's constantly a layer of moisture on the floor and walls. In the evening, I started writing a provisions list for the Atlantic crossing. It's going to be exciting. We're now one week behind the original plan, but we're getting more relaxed. There's no other choice.

Friday, 22.11.2019

I took it very easy today because yesterday's wet hike turned my fading sore throat into a full-blown cold. So I'm keeping quiet and trying to get plenty of sleep. In the afternoon, Nina and I went grocery shopping again, because tomorrow we're leaving... Probably. The weather is still raging around us. In the evening, we had another briefing and assigned the first watch shifts. If we leave tomorrow, we'll probably be at sea for 5-6 days without a break. The nervousness in the room is palpable. No wonder in such a small space.