The crew gathers

After having breakfast with Ineke on Thursday and saying our goodbyes, I move my things over to the "Nerdanel," the 14-meter long sailing catamaran.

Cyrill shows me to my cabin with its own bathroom and shower. Then I get to arrange a few lines on deck, which is already challenging enough because I have no idea how to fold the ends of the sail lines together. I observe how it's done from already folded lines, and neither Cyrill nor Massa complain when they take a look at it.

Then the five of us head to the large Eroski supermarket just behind the Gibraltar border to do some shopping for the journey. I pay 50€ for the crossing and get to eat on board. Of course, I have to buy all the special items myself, but I'm still very happy with this deal. Since everything that's durable and can be frozen is already being bought for their Atlantic crossing, it takes us two hours. Julia, Elia, and I occasionally get a little search task, but otherwise, we're like little children at the supermarket with our parents, with the children not being involved in the decision-making. So we goof off and stand around a lot. Towards the end, we're also pressed for time because we have to finish by three o'clock so that the supermarket can deliver the 700-pound purchase to the marina. We make it, but then the next problem arises: the delivery can only happen within Gibraltar. Even though our marina is only a 5-minute drive away, it's not possible for customs and tax reasons. The men are furious, but try to keep a cool head. We negotiate that our items will be delivered to the boat fuel station in Gibraltar tomorrow at 2.00 p.m. Then, before we sail out to sea, we can pick up our groceries there.

Once the nerve-wracking shopping spectacle is over, we stroll to Gibraltar's marketplace with hungry bellies and eat classic fish and chips there. It's a cheerful group, Cyrill is pleased that the pigeons eat out of his hand, there's drinking and browsing. I quickly establish myself as a good eater because I'm the only one who devours my portion and also eats the rest of Julia and Elia's salad.

I go back with Cyrill and Massa while Julia and Elia climb up the Rock of Gibraltar. The sailors are exhausted after the activity and hearty meal, and so I also withdraw to my cabin for a little while. I write and talk on the phone with Rosa. It feels good to see her on the screen, even though it doesn't satisfy the longing for closeness that I repeatedly feel.

Then I meet up with Paul and Yvonne for an hour, who sent me an offer this morning because of my flyer. They haven't been in the sailboat game for long and want to go to Lanzarote next Wednesday. I've already decided to go with my crew, but it doesn't hurt to get to know each other. Besides, they also want to continue to Colombia later on, and maybe we'll come together later.

We meet at the marina's restaurant. Nic, another yacht hitchhiker who took a trip to Portugal in between and just came back yesterday, is already sitting at the table with them. It's nice, but I can tell that there's not really a spark, so I say goodbye soon in the sailors' jargon with a "See you later." You never know where you'll meet again.

I'm also quite exhausted from the day. I'm excited that we're starting tomorrow.