DUTCHESSES EVERYWHERE!

Hi all

Last period we were busier than usual. We have been training lots in the Netherlands but wanted to explore other waters. The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge organised an extra training in the UK, the week before the compulsory RYA courses in September. We were happy to arrange some extra time off work (sorry, employers) and after some work on the logistics drove to Hoek van Holland where we took the ferry to Harwich. Very convenient, close to Rannoch! Over there we met with people from Rannoch and the TWAC. It was surely more than a social call as we also had our preshipping inspection, which ended in a longer to do list for us.

The time in Burnham-on-Crouch was very well spent. We enjoyed rowing on the Crouch, on the North Sea and under the stars. Our material was inspected as well as our routine on board After getting lots of advice we could finetune things and our trust in the whole operation grew every hour. We also enjoyed meeting other rowers, mainly solo rowers and hear their experiences with their own preparations for the race.

After five days it was time to drive to Teignmouth in Devon for the RYA courses @SeaSports. SRC, Ocean Navigation, Safety at Sea, you name it! It was good. Very good even, as we learned lots and there was plenty of time for a good laugh and share stories. Mainly in the swimming pool where the liferaft was tested, above all; our ability to crawl into it with a life vest and wearing heavy sailing gear. We spent more than 6 days in the small class room where we were fortunate to have Tim as a trainer, a very experienced guy, full of stories and knowledge. We hooked up with one of the girls from the One Ocean team, swam in the sea and looked for great spots in the area for our campervans. The last evening, weary from all the courses but feeling fortunate to have learned all this, we enjoyed staying on the pier, and had a great evening swim, topped of with a beer and pizza on the beach.

On the way back we treated ourselves to a comfortable hut on board as we needed more than a power nap to recover from the two weeks in the UK. Not that quiet times arrived once back in the Netherlands. Our Queen had to be branded, showed to our friends and family, plenty of odd jobs to be done and above all; prepared for shipping to the UK. From there she will be shipped to La Gomera.

Whilst doing all the small en bigger jobs on the boat we are also proud to announce we have our own app! Not everybody uses Facebook and/or Instagram, we were looking for a way for friends and sponsors to be able to get updates from us, especially once we are out on the ocean. Go look in the App/Google play store and look our for Atlantic Dutchesses!

Dutchesses everywhere, see you around!

Stay healthy and stay safe

Iris, Melissa, Marieke and Renate

*note: photocredit: Atlantic Campaigns/Penny Bird