Daily report #75

Lisbon.

Today sighted what I think are Portuguese warships. Albeit small warships. A bubble on the water that is completely transparent. Almost invisible and at first they look like pieces of plastic. Why do I even think that? And quite a lot of those creatures. If they are of course, I'm not a marine life biologist. But I remember something about them having a bladder above water that helps them move forward. And every day when my watch has started at the crack of dawn, an albatross passes by. I don't think it's always the same because the color of the beak differs. Why do they do that, circle around that boat? No idea. It is a beautiful sight and a large bird. And then they go again. Just as quickly as they came. I think it used to be thought that these beasts carried the spirits of dead sailors. Who knows.
And then I can resume my endless staring at the equally endless water and be annoyed by the chattering of the Genoa because of just too little wind to keep it well filled while rolling on the waves. It's cathartic.
In fact we have nice weather and good winds. The sun shines all day and we sail with 15-20 knots of wind to the Northeast. It is still cold as ever. We are already halfway there and think we can cover the distance of 1708 M in less than two weeks. And that's great because then we have won two days. And if you compare it to my original estimate of 4.2 kn on average, it is even 4 days. But you also unintentionally lose time on repairs and bad weather (La Reunion, Port Elisabeth, Cape Town). Or other matters that need to be completed before departure. (Sydney, Mackay and Darwin). It is likely that this will save us the rest of the trip as we have already solved many problems and replaced components. (No comment of superstition will be included here, such as 'I can hope', 'just tap' or 'I have confidence in it'). As far as the weather is concerned, it is ice and rainy. And overall they serve quite well. Of course we will take a look at St. Helena. We're here anyway! Want to see another prisoner museum? I don't know if they have that there too. We will see. It will probably be a concrete cage with little headroom. In any case, they have set him apart well. And all attributes that you could operate with one hand. The little megalomaniac. Although of course he also did many good things. The bureaucrat.
Nothing but good things about Napoleon Bonaparte.

After writing my blog, I go back to bed to take an afternoon nap and continue reading or watch another movie. Nothing but great entertainment in a sea of regularity and discipline.

Greetings Ton and Mark