“Wouter, watch change.” “Yes, OK.” Is my automatic reply, as this is probably the three-hundred-and-eighty-eigth time this trip Andy woke me up like this. It means, throw the sleeping bag off, and put your cloths on IMMEDIATELY. Don’t even think about just snoozing for a couple of minutes before to get up, or you will be in trouble. This morning I do, and so the inevitable happens as I fall back into a deep sleep again.

A couple of minutes later, and Andy sticks his head down the hatch again. I have real trouble to wake, still half asleep I put my clothes on. Man, it’s cold! I really need some water, and I am very hungry too. Worst thing is I bump my head really badly as I try to climb out of the hatch. Ouch! Nothing is going right this morning, what is going on?  Then I realise - it must be Monday morning! Yes – it is, and even though everyday is a work day here, I am going to blame it on the fact that it is Monday morning, feel sorry for myself, and make an extra strong cup of coffee.

Soon all looks brighter again, and I am back into it; go outside, have a look around – no ships?- , check the trim, download the weather, check battery voltage, check drink water level – low, so we need to run the water maker a bit longer today, back on deck and do some hand steering to get through the squall. Auto pilot on again, have a good look at the weather, and write the daily update.

OK, we are not going to change our position on the leader board, but we are racing just as hard to get to the finish. We are now passed the latitude of the Canaries, and so the next milestone we are aiming for is Gibraltar. That is now only six days away, and the weather routing has us coming in quick for the last bit, so that will help. Wow, suddenly I can smell the finish – and the fresh croissants I will have for breakfast – the Monday morning feeling is gone. You live only once, so better make the best out of the day, each day. We are so lucky to be racing out here, another day in Paradise, no time to waste! Let’s Go!

Wouter