2022 on Merrimac

A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 21:42:40 +0100

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, when he suddenly found himself spending 3 days in a “5-star” hotel in Panama City, with a very busy but not particularly orderly world outside. The city is full of huge skyscrapers, quite a few of which look very impressive. But at street level it’s a typical second-world jumble.

Have you heard the one about the couple who tried to leave Panama?

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:04:37 +0100

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 and pick up a car. Deafening music, a stop every 2 km, a genuine local experience!

Off to the Galapagos

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 15:41:37 +0100

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 be right on the nose, but at least it isn’t blowing too hard, so we’re hoping to make it in a little over a week.

Iridium on Carrousel now up and running

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 15:16:51 +0100

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 yesterday Rudolf discovered a small coolant leak on the engine, so the Australian mechanic is coming over this afternoon to take a look.

Off on a voyage with Carrousel

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 16:02:25 +0100

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 ocean.

Bumping our way home

Sun, 10 Jul 2022 22:02:42 +0200

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, all the preparations are done and we can leave. This time we stowed everything for sea beforehand, because the corner of Norway we have to round is notorious for its rough seas: it’s only 20 metres deep there, while the waves come from an area that’s 200 to 400 metres deep. A drop like that always produces really nasty waves. And so it proves: it’s pretty lumpy, and unfortunately it doesn’t ease off as much in deeper water as I’d hoped. Ella isn’t feeling too great, and I’m also glad I don’t have to be down below with my head in a locker.

Stavanger and Surroundings

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 00:28:27 +0200

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 bridge on the east side of Stavanger only has 24 metres of air draft, so we weren’t going to make it under. The upside is that we get to see the area. We motor past lovely (yacht) harbours for the locals and very tidy suburbs. The (oil) money is practically dripping off everything. From the east we can’t see Stavanger’s old town, because an enormous cruise ship is parked in front of it.

Ryfylke, Norway

Sun, 26 Jun 2022 10:38:37 +0200

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. There was, however, a south-westerly force 5 gusting 6. If you want to head east-south-east that’s perfect: the wind is on the quarter and the sails see it as if it were coming from abeam. That’s because the boat speed of 9 to 10 knots shifts the apparent wind direction. Perhaps another reason why you find so many fairly technical people among sailors – you need to do vector arithmetic in your head to predict the effects, and true arts types may find that a bit more of a struggle.

Scalloway, Shetland

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 23:00:00 +0200

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 waved off the English and Canadians of Kealoha V, who were heading for the Faroes (we knew them from a rather late night out together). We wanted to leave early the next morning, so that evening we took the cover off the mainsail and got the boat ready.

Westray, Orkney

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:57:45 +0200

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 for the mooring in a bend between Eday and Calf of Eday.

Mainland, Orkney

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 16:00:00 +0200

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 supply everywhere, so we could have a car from half past one on Saturday afternoon until half past four on Monday, but that means you pay for 3 days… Makes sense, right?? Anyway, we had a car, which made us one of the few (the only sailors in the harbour, at any rate). I have to say, a fine little motor, a VW Golf TDI, 45,000 miles on the clock but truly spotless.

Kirkwall, Orkney

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 17:56:12 +0200

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 quickly and write it after all, for nobody in particular really, but at least then it’s done.