The journey to Liepaja, Latvia’s third largest city with a population of around 80,000, proved to be a ‘tough exercise’: at first, the weather was wonderful with almost glassy seas, and we enjoyed doing nothing (after the previous, rather rough night). The ArgoFram did its job easily and led us in autopilot mode out of the big bay, past the southern foothills of Saarema Island, towards the south. But then the sea became rougher, just bearable; the weather continued to be nice and warm. But finally we had to experience what a journey of more than 350 km can hold in store in terms of pitfalls (and possibly risks): The height of the waves increased, and because we were racing towards the waves from behind at more than 50 km/h, the tip of the bow repeatedly dipped under a wave that was ‘building up’ and flooded the whole boat. About two hours through this wave pool, which is exhausting – even if the water temperature is a pleasurable 23 degrees (the three videos of today’s stage show this interplay of elements).
Finally arrived in Liepaja, there was not much time to look around. At first we were just happy to be able to moor in calm waters. But I have to add: it’s better not to go on a trip like today alone; in pairs we could complement each other, take turns, prepare the food, go to the toilet or just take a breather. In the past, no 10 horses would have got me into this water, but in the meantime I have learned to deal with it – and I know: this ArgoFram is better than I will ever be. She ploughs through the waves brilliantly; as long as I don’t make a mistake, she forgives my somewhat very direct driving style.
In Liepaja, too, there is a seemingly endless white sandy beach, which, despite the sunny summer Sunday, hardly seems to be visited (the number of visitors is incomparably less than the capacity of this beach) – so there was a very conciliatory end to this exhausting day with a swim in the waves of this sea, which had demanded a lot of us before.