A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!
Panama. In the Netherlands it’s really only known for the canal, bananas, the palindrome above and its role as a tax haven. So what should you actually picture? Arnold already got a first impression in Dec 2020, …
2022
Have you heard the one about the couple who tried to leave Panama?
Well, they did set off, but they had to turn back. Hotel Panama: you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. As I type this we’re on a shared local minibus to Panama City to check back in again …
Off to the Galapagos
The final preparations are under way. Navigation set up, tanks full, 16 wheelbarrows of food loaded aboard. Boat scrubbed, meals cooked, awning stowed, liferaft ready for use. As usual on this passage, the wind looks to …
Iridium on Carrousel now up and running
Right, you can now follow us online! When we leave, hopefully Monday afternoon or Tuesday, you can track us at: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Carrousel/ Fingers crossed it actually happens, because …
Off on a voyage with Carrousel
Marion and I have been in touch with Damaris and Rudolf for years. They live in Harlingen too, and crossed the Atlantic a year ahead of us. Very handy, then, to learn from them how things work in countries across the …
Bumping our way home
Over the weekend it quickly became clear. Two more days of patience and the wind would veer from south to northwest. That’s a nice direction for heading due south. On Tuesday morning we get up at 6. Not long after, …
Stavanger and Surroundings
After 2 days on the free mooring of the Royal Norwegian Boating Association in Uskjo, it was time to mingle with people again, and besides, we were rather curious about Stavanger. That meant quite a detour, because the …
Ryfylke, Norway
Phew, this is another first for the year – a report written almost live! Last Tuesday we left the anchorage south of Lerwick nice and early again, around 6 o’clock. It was drizzly, dull and cold once more. …
Scalloway, Shetland
It had been clear for a few days that the weather would improve on the 14th. So where there had been 4 sailing boats in the morning, by midday we were on our own. The English boat La Contenta left for Fair Isle. We also …
Westray, Orkney
Last Tuesday we were ready for a change after the metropolis of Kirkwall and all those stones. So, sails up and off to the “Northern Isles”. After trying to anchor in Fersness Bay (too much swell), we settled …
Mainland, Orkney
On Saturday we could finally pick up the car from J D Peace. We handed over four bottles of Brouwdok, but there was so much staff around and not the one gentleman we’d promised them to. Rental cars are in short …
Kirkwall, Orkney
It’s been a whole year since the last update appeared on this blog. All winter long the moment to finish writing up the Atlantic loop here kept slipping through my fingers. I’ll try to make up for that …