SLEEP BABY, SLEEP !

.....with our boat 'Champagne' just behind us !

POSITION : 36°08'.0 N and 05°21'.0 W
DAY / TIME : 19.04.2013 , 08:45 UTC
MOOD : UTTER RELIEF

Dear Reader, 
we are back in Europe, back in Gibraltar. 
We arrived here this morning , 
Friday 19.04.2013, at 05:15 UTC. 

What a tremendously exciting sight when you approach the straits from the west and you see both continents, Europe and Africa, divided just by a small channel of water, at its narrowest just 12nm apart, ahead of you. 
Many associate the view with .... well , never mind.  
Did anybody ever count the number of ships and seafarers having passed through ? 
And do you remember the film " The Boat " ( "Das Boot" ) ? 
Anyway, we didn't see any of what I just described, as it was late last night and pitch dark. 
Why do we always arrive at the port of destination at night ? 
Always !

The straits of Gibraltar have a history like no other ! Whilst passing through I put some loud music on. 
This time something for the mind  and soul : 
"Amazing Grace" ,
 performed by Andrea Bocelli
and the British Philharmonic Orchestra. 
I am sure you will find it on You Tube. 
Now close your eyes, and see what I see : 
The Strait of Gibraltar coming closer and closer ( in lights along the coast ) after so many days of travel.

 
We all had tears in our eyes . Except the Skipper, of course, 
Skipper never have tears in their eyes, 
unless for joy of course !



It was quite a journey. It took us 23 days and 10 hours for the direct crossing from Sint Marteen,
 with winds up to 10 BF, 
with and against us, 
with waves up to 5m or a sea as flat as an ironing board with no wind at all. 
And our strategy worked ! 

LOOKS GOOD TO ME !

LOOKS VERY VERY BAD TO ME !

We took advantage most of the time of the passing depressions in the north, and avoided as such bad weather for a prolonged period with a wind most likely against us. 
It is hard to describe the relief to be back in a safe place, to describe the strain on the boat and the crew during this adventure, but I can ensure you that nobody suffered. 
Just the opposite.
 The new crew did extremely well, 
we had a lot of fun as I will try to point out in the forthcoming stories, and it was a pleasure having had them on board. 
No complaints, everybody worked hard and voluntarily, supported each other. 
May be the number of female on board made the difference ? 
Gosh, I love women ! 
I mean whilst sailing , of course !

So let the story unfold but before that I will go to bed and 

SLEEP LIKE A BABY ! 


Then I will continue with the adventures during our crossing. 
Just give me some hours, only....some....brh. chr....

Hope you will be on standby.

Yours, a very much relieved 
Master Mike !