Column-Logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Translation for Zeilmeisje Laura Dekker on Facebook
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Each week in her column-logbook for the Algemeen Dagblad Laura Dekker will relate her journey around the world aboard her sailboat Guppy on her attempt to become the world's youngest circumnavigator.
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The taste of fresh water

I am on Route from the Cape Verde Islands to the Caribbean Sea. I should arrive before Christmas and at the rate I am going it should be around December 17th. I have to touch wood, I have not reached the halfway point yet, haha. Last week some sailors in Cape Verde Islands prophesied that I would only have little wind and that I would not make any progress at all. Obviously this was nonsense. It happened only on the second and third day of my trip that I had calm winds and now there is a strong breeze blowing. But this also has a downside since Guppy is lying on her side and from my bed I can easily see the fishes swimming. I can't sit outside in the cockpit either because of the many waves splashing over. Just a short walk to the foredeck will get me soaked wet. So I spend most of my time sitting inside the cabin. At times the boat rocks back and forth heavily which makes it almost impossible for me to read, and at other times I find myself suddenly pressed to the wall. So as a precaution I sleep at an angle so I can push with my feet and with my head over on to one side. But it is not so bad since I don't have that many bruises yet. This time I was clever enough to stow away all the loose things into the cupboards which I had forgotten to do before my departure from Gran Canary on my way to Sal island. Altogether I can say that I am not yet fed up with sailing the Atlantic Ocean. It is all going very well. The only wish I have is to take be able to walk instead of climbing all over the deck and I would be very grateful for a heavy tropical squall just to taste fresh water instead of the sticky salt water. Unfortunately the rain clouds seem to always forgo me... Ahoy!

Laura