ARC blog 2019 - Hans 79 years old

To be let go by a generous wife and make your Atlantic voyage at the age of 79 is a privilege, a challenge - and an exhausting long race.
Fatigue becomes constant, everyday chores of housework, laundry and clothing become demanding. The chores at the tiller day and night are unavoidable and require all the concentration I can muster. After being woken up, you have to be dressed and ready 15 minutes later on the flying deck.
When difficult situations arise with sails and everything imaginable and unimaginable, everyone has to step up. You have to go out and contribute even if the night is dark, the wind is strong and you have just fallen asleep.
All this is particularly difficult because everything is moving all the time since we set off from Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.
Everything moves and all the senses are stressed. The hearing must accept a cacophony of sounds ranging from the eternal creaking and crackling of the cabin wall panels to the rushing like a small waterfall where the water drops the boat behind. A whole world of sounds inside and out that you can't deduce. Never, ever quiet.
Vision has to accept that the whole world is moving. The only seemingly fixed thing is the perfect circle drawn by the horizon - but even that moves with the boat. The starry sky twists during the night, the moon comes and goes, as does Venus with its companion Neptune.
The senses that control the body's balance never really rest because even the bed swings around. You have to hold on to something or at least stand close to something to hold on to when you are on your feet.
Brain research shows how much the brain has to work to interpret and parry all these impressions. You cannot interfere with this work; it is programmed since the beginning of time. The brain's work requires a lot of energy and we normally lose weight during the voyage.
So the vitality goes down, and not only with me but all fellow travelers testify to the same.
But you adapt.
The social life on board works well despite the demanding environment. We are at each other's mercy and dependent on each other.
In spite of the fatigue, a lot of golden memories and life experiences are gathered. The management is highly professional and creates security and well-being.
We have land in sight in a few days.
I will then sleep in, celebrate with my comrades and then quickly fly home to Margareta with her newly operated hip now in place and rich Christmas and New Year's traditions. Of course, I expect a hefty to-do list to tackle before Christmas.
Then I also think about how to lie in an interesting way about my experiences in front of a moderately interested world!
His

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