Travelogue: sea at last 

Date and time: 22.08.25, 13:00
Location: LAT 67.80°, LON 12.04°
SOG (speed over ground): 11.9 knots
Wind: 12.8 knots

We slipped out of Narvik in the early hours, the pilot riding with us until the fjord was safely behind us, which was about 02:00. Now we are back at sea with blue skies, streaks of cloud, and sunlight playing in and out. The breeze is gentle, the swell easy, the kind of weather that makes the sailor in me very happy.

My own morning began early too, though not on the bridge. After doing my 10k steps while walking on deck, I spent three hours making a big batch of Irish applesauce for the crew, which I is a small contribution to shipboard life.

This afternoon I’m sitting in the captain’s chair, swaying with the roll of the ship, watching the horizon. It is so comfortable up here, but I’ll likely give in to a cabin snooze before long.

Narvik held us for nearly twelve days, between delays at anchor, broken loaders, and shortages of the right ore. Yesterday’s final loading stretched almost twenty-four hours straight, though it was meant to take ten. But now the hatches are sealed, the cargo secured, and the course is set for Hamburg.

I’m looking forward to (hopefully) seeing Frank, Yeliz, and my son when we arrive, and to introducing them to the people on board who have become my everyday companions at sea.