Position: 2000 LT 50˚15’ N, 004˚15’ W
Date:Sunday August 30, 2009

Living room-sailor

Today appeared to be the opposite of yesterday, speaking about the weather. The wind was favorable to our sails but yesterday’s sun had made place for a grey blanket around us. The closer we came to our destination, the worse the visibility became, first caused by a drizzle which slowly changed into fog.
Today a ‘rendez vous’ was planned with a navy vessel from our home country, the ‘Tromp’. Only the modern equipment made us aware of their approach but for others being on deck the sudden appearance of a huge shadow a few hundred meters away the first observation of the frigate. The grey color on her hull made the view even more sinister in the gray haze. Reporters were picked up from our ship by a rigid inflatable boat so filming could be done on board the naval vessel. During their visit the fog became even thicker so our ship must have looked like the Flying Dutchman.  


Richard Slootweg
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam