After three days in port we are at sea again! It was cozy in the harbour but it sure feels good to be on our way again. Especially since there was a three meter high swell outside of the port on the evening of 7 May. It became really bad at the turn of the tide...
No problems for us
In the northern & commercial part of the harbour where we were at, luckily only one mooring line broke (it was an oldie) but for the ships in the old part of the harbour it was much worse. Some of the ships that were in Horta at that same time had to seek shelter for the great depression on the Atlantic Ocean. We've been very happy to be able to leave knowing that the expected winds and waves won't cause any problems for the Clipper.
A Clipper on the quay in HORTA
There was no way we could say goodbye to Horta without leaving a wall painting behind. This is tradition for all ships that stop at Horta on an ocean crossing. Thanks to the excellent painter qualities of our female quartermaster Ingvild from Norway, we could look at a stunning Clipper on the quay wall at departure.
Towards the Strait of Gibraltar
Under full sail through the enormous swell is the situation at the moment. It is a bit windy but with this wind from the north west we will be making good progress towards the Strait of Gibraltar. If the weather reports from The Netherlands are all true, the wind that pushes us forward also results in wonderful weather at home. Good for you and good for us!