Logbook Tres Hombres (October 28, 2012) Weblog by captain Andreas Lackner

Logbook Tres Hombres (October 18, 2012)

Weblog by captain Andreas Lackner

For the first time the Styrian flag is waving from the maintop, just above the new gaff topsail which we set for the first time today since we have it. It makes a strange difference, that shiny sail in between our rusty and scratched, intensively used cloth.

The white part of this flag is a very useful wind indicator in the night, as the green light from the foretop is reflected by it, while the green part makes the wind direction visible in twilight. The panther has a function on its own, probably the first time ever it is waving from a cargo ship

Our last official stop in the summer program was the Rum & Whisky festival from Richard and Esther in the Holiday Inn in IJmuiden. Planned departure from there was Sunday morning, while the very successful and therefore very busy and communicative festival ended late around midnight on Saturday, including a great captains dinner on board, made by cocinera Rosa. Therefore it was not a bad decision to wait for another autumn storm to pass and stay a few days longer in the friendly Seaport Marina, where team Den Dolder fitted the new galley stove and surprised us with a fine pirate-goodbye party!

After a close call with the pier while towing us out, the marina boat released the towing line just after the entrance so we could set sail in a nice southerly breeze and wave goodbye to the spectators inside the pier of Ijmuiden: Tres Hombres began her 4th merchant trip to the West!

Currently we carry a sentimental cargo with us: all the old machines we build the ship with, which we will give away to shipbuilders in need on the Atlantic Islands. Also our already famous Tres Hombres chocolate makes its way from port to port, as well as the household goods of somebody who moves to Cape Verde and some fine Terschelling Cranberries for Mott's Grenada chocolate.

Next stop is Douarnenez, where we will receive wooden barrels with wine made by Olivier Cousins grandfather! This precious cargo will even improve its taste on a double transatlantic voyage, as well as its value

More biological olive oil will be loaded in Lisboa this time and Funchal is the place where the typical Madeira wine will enter a wooden cargo hold again like it used to do a hundred years ago.

Our almost all new crew is learning the ropes and trims in a speedy way, tacking down the North Sea as usual. Starboard side consists of the Dutch hard core sailors from Den Dolder under the lead of Ruurd and his right hand Stefan with our ships boy Joel, the youngest on board and never seasick! Port side is lead by the Styrian team with international participation from France, Holland and Spain. Our couple Roger and Marjan are completing the motley crew with their always happy and helping mood.

Tonight after dinner we gathered all hands for a smooth tack in wind force 1 and are now drifting slowly towards Zeebrugge. A ripped sail is getting sewed in the cargo hold while the helmsman is trying to keep the bow heading west. Me, enjoying a dry place writing this and remembering Ijmuiden while glancing on a new painting in the captain's cabin.

Greetings from sea and good night,

Capt'n Andreas Lackner

Please leave a message. Your message will be sent to the ship.

Last updated: 19/10/2012

Click here to add text.