Position: 1730 LT, 46°16’ N 006°48’ W
Date:Thursday July 22, 2010

The wind is playing tricks on us...

The current Northwestern wind is making us happy. Not a very constant wind, but close to about 20 knots. This means we can make an average speed of 8 knots while sailing. The wind however keeps shifting constantly. Sudden 20 degrees changes of direction forces our helmsman to react alertly. The sails are backing or we are not reaching the height we would like to sail. It seems like the wind is playing tricks on us..
It gives us hope to be able to sail along Ouessant through the English Channel, but then changes again to the North, making Nantes straight ahead. There is a beautiful waterway between the Loire and the Seine. The waterway between Nantes and Le Havre however is not suitable for large sailing ships. We keep on wishing for approval of the wind gods or backing of a few degrees…
 
Attached pictures are taken on the Seine in 2008.
 
Andi Manser
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam