This morning we have left the harbour of Leixoes, situated north of Porto,
for the second lap of  our journey to Northern Europe.
39 pupils of the Ijmuiden Maritime Academy have joined us, together with six
teachers. Some of them have never made a long journey on a ship, let alone a
saiing ship. They might gain some experience here that the school books can
not give them.
For the regular crew they form a welcome addition to the work force on deck,
it costs some energy at first when all details need explanation but for our
coming trip through the Bay of Biscay it is nice to have some extra hands
ready. On this moment we have the sails hoisted and are steering a westerly
course; the local northern wind is about to make way for a nice low pressure
area which will bring favorable western winds. From tomorrow our bow will
point in the right direction: on a course to the low lands that we left over
a year ago.

Cosmo Wassenaar
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam