ARC 2018 - Athens December 4

It is an adventure and a great nature experience to be on this long voyage across the Atlantic. Now we have entered the second breath on board. The guards are busy and we have settled in. There is a relaxed calm with pleasant jazz songs, coffee and books in the cockpit and on deck. But in a tenth of a second, we are alert and competitive: speed, course, wind direction? Increase!

When the fishing rod buzzes, everyone rushes up, with or without cameras and life jackets, to admire the catch. We caught a king mackerel that turned into a five-star lunch. Then no bites, the lure is outwitted because it bites occasionally but the fish let go. Recently we could see a whale a few meters below the water surface, right next to the boat. What a powerful animal!

In the beginning we had good help at night from the moonlight. Now the lying moonshine is so narrow and most hours it is not visible at all. If it is cloudless, the starry sky helps us to orientate and steer in the dark. There are stars even in the sea. Marelden glitters in the waves.

We eat well and celebrate at every opportunity. Now we have celebrated three days in a row: when we broke the 2000 limit for remaining distance minutes the day before yesterday, first advent yesterday and today that we have completed half the distance.

So far so good. The winds and weather are with us and we are taking bets when we arrive. Of course we want to arrive quickly. Some faster than others. I want to arrive safely and so enjoy boating instead of indoor work in the winter darkness at home.

I was asked what a gender equality representative would say about life on board. I am the only woman on the boat, which is fine. I am surrounded by knowledgeable, friendly and caring men, with a crude but heartfelt sense of humor. Cred to the captain and mate who know every inch of the boat. I hope they think I am doing well too. I am happy and honored to be on this ARC sail.

Kerste @reboot, Athene