In between bouts of sail handling, voyage crew mill about in the deckhouse.
Over steaming hot mugs of coffee and tea, the news can be heard reverberating around the room: only a few days left now until we reach the Horn.
Excited chatter is interrupted by the creak and click of the door, and a deckhand’s voice. The wind has veered, and it’s time to brace.
This morning the sun broke clear from the blanket of stratus clouds, and although water still brims over the side of Europa’s hull, for now the rain has dissipated. We’re in between two low-pressure systems, and until the one behind us finally catches up we are glad to use the break from the wind to do some maintenance. Sailors are busy stitching sails, repairing blocks, exchanging worn-out lines for new ones. Europa is still cruising along at about 7 knots, and every change of watch brings us closer to that legendary cape.
