27 December 2023
Third day after Christmas aboard the Eendracht, day eight on board. Fatigue is beginning to set in for several crew members, which goes hand in hand with the silliness at the table; bad jokes and well-meaning insults are flying left and right.
The journey is going more than smoothly; we often exceed 10 knots rather than dropping below it. The result is some 45 nautical miles per watch and a daily total of 240 miles. Everyone is looking forward to arriving in Martinique, especially since the ship is moving a lot in this swell. But, as always, every advantage has its downside.
Today we had a dwarf minke whale swimming alongside us, performing flips in the high waves. A truly beautiful sight.
For lunch we had pancakes, and for dinner a Dutch-style stamppot. So it was a Dutch day, at least food-wise—and in some ways weather-wise too. Showers surrounded us, but not as severe as yesterday and certainly less than back in the Netherlands. The food, in any case, was fantastic, all prepared in a small galley on a rolling ship. Compliments to Yvonne, Bea, and Marianne.
Oh yes, Johan bakes a generous number of fresh breads early every morning—absolutely amazing.
There have been a few unsuccessful attempts at making suitable fishing gear. The latest attempt by Cornelis and Johan R resulted in a high-tech swivel, assembled in the Eendracht’s workshop. No catches yet, as the hooks won’t stay on, and the fish don’t seem interested either. Perhaps we’re sailing too fast.
The atmosphere on board remains wonderful. Tomorrow (Wednesday) we’ll tack for the final leg toward Martinique. We hope to be able to call our loved ones in the Netherlands over the New Year.