We have a fair wind and are sailing 6-7 knots goose winging the High Aspect jib and the Genoa. Unfortunately I had to get the HA jib down due to the wind angle. I unfurled it later that night and kept it going for 4 hours before furling it again. While I was sorting out the double sheets on the jib in the gang way I was attacked by a Flying Fish with an attitude. I barely had time to duck as it roared by, just missing me, the mast and the mainsheet. At night it almost looked like a bat.

We are currently entering a huge squally area and are keeping a vigilant watch. Up at the fleet a yacht reported 60 knots of wind  in a squall. That equals a wind force 12, don’t want to get caught in that. This morning a big squall threatened to hit us but while we were keeping an eye to it, it just disappeared. Rain and clouds! Very strange.

Today is a special day for three reasons. Firstly it’s Half Way Day. Instead of adding miles we are now counting down the miles. Secondly we’re setting the clock on UTC-2. Another step in the direction of St Lucia. And last but not least tonight is Sinterklaas Avond. The kids are very much looking forward to it and so are we. However it is very strange to celebrate Sinterklaas avond without the usual build-up you see when you are in Holland. The stores are all dressed up and on TV there are reports of activities et cetera. None of this happens on Seawalk. Bed time stories are great for telling our kids of our folklore but most of the times I am asleep before the kids turn in. Sinterklaas Avond just sort of happens.

For the non-Dutch readers: Sinterklaas is very similar to Santa Claus. In fact the Americans took Sinterklaas and turned him in Santa Claus and moved the date to Christmas out of convenience. Sinterklaas is celebrated in Holland, Belgium and parts of Germany. Kids get presents and sing songs. Naughty kids get stuffed in a sack and taken back to Spain where Sinterklaas originates.