Position: Kristiansand, alongside
Date:Wednesday July 28, 2010

Thank you!

Ten days on board of the Clipper…an offer we could not resist!
On July 19th, we embarked in Leixoes, the port of Porto, Portugal. Heading for Norway, we spent 10 full days at sea sailing North. We immediately felt at home and admired the way life is organized on board. Raising, furling and unfurling sails, continuous maintenance, woodwork, lines work, galley work, housekeeping work… And of course climbing!
 
Ruben, the youngest in our team, taught by his brother crewmember Abe, climbed the mast regularly. Sailing along the coast of Portugal and Northwest of Spain heading for the Bay of Biskaje, jumping dolphins accompanied us once in a while. A Slovenian yacht even took away their sails to motor towards us admiring our ship in full glory!
Through the channel we see on portside the white cliffs of Dover and on starboardside the French Cap Gris Nez. With the Dutch dunes in the distance we use our cell phones to reconnect with our loved ones in the Netherlands.  On July 28th we arrive in Kristiansand, Norway. We sail into the harbor enjoying all the attention of locals and media. From July 29th till August 1st, this city will welcome the Tall Ships Race in which Clipper Stad Amsterdam will also join. Crew and ship are getting ready for the event while we are looking forward to Sail Amsterdam, where we will welcome ‘our’ Clipper again.
 
Herewith we thanks the whole crew for this wonderful experience!
 
Ruben Bouw, Bram Bouw, Willem Dragt