Motion

For three years now we are on the road with our catamaran. For three years in motion, in harmony with nature. Wind and waves are the challenges we have to deal with. The sea, the oceans, constantly in motion and with all this our little home, our catamaran Katinka. Spinoza saw this nature, once completely neutral, without judgment or morality, as divine. And if we follow Spinoza's thought further, we have never been so close to God, we have never lived so intensely, as in the last three years. Constantly on the move through wind and wave, always exposed to nature, some days far from any civilization. Constantly on the move, in mind and action, always adapting to the situation, a not coming to rest, make this life so intense. 

Seaweed carpet off Martinique

Constantly in motion, far away from our social norms, bring one only so close to God, as perhaps some would not even want. The initial amazement at the omnipotence of nature has long since given way to the realization that we can influence it, but God will be stronger. Climate change does not harm nature, it will cope with it. A climate change harms society because it cannot adapt to nature fast enough. The realization that everything in nature is constantly in motion is suppressed by the inertia that has spread, especially in Western civilizations. Once one has understood nature, it is no longer so difficult to move within it. Churches, faith communities or nature conservation organizations are of little help. The policy throws straight all its good resolutions, which it met before the choice, over board and can be pulled into a further, senseless war. It also fails to provide direction for a functioning society. The only good thing, will be a worldwide recession, which makes each of us poorer, but lets nature change more slowly. That, in turn, will help nature adapt. We can continue to ignore all this, God will not punish us for it, he will only change. This thought is also from Spinoza, who believed that creation did not provide for punishment.

Le Marin, Martinique

But even on the Katinka we cannot do without civilization and society. After leaving the supply desert of the southern Antilles arc, we arrived in Martinique. France, EU, land of milk and honey. That's exactly what I mean, nature will adapt. Martinique is supplied by France. Wine from the Bordeaux area, cheese from France, salami from Italy, fruits and vegetables from Spain, everything is carted here and is in abundance. The prices are again moderate and we have arrived back in civilization. At first we don't even notice it, because the clearance in Le Marin works so smoothly, as we only got to know it in French Guyana. No PCR test, just one page filled out on the computer, printed out and paid five euros at the marina office, done. We are still on the move. In the "Leader Price", a supermarket that largely does without branded goods, but still offers good quality, we are then braked. The shopping cart full up to the height of the child's seat, we put the things, as it should be, on the belt. The cashier looks at it in peace and then said, after we were done, that this is the checkout, for max. 10 items and refers us to a sign above the cash register, which we have not heeded in our overzealousness. The still from the last crossing, smooth movements, with slightly bouncy knees, balancing each wave, come to an abrupt halt. A stunned facial rigidity spreads over the whole body. Unable to move, let alone think a clear thought, I pull myself out of this rigidity after half a minute and begin to load the merchandise from the conveyor back into the shopping cart. A supervisor rushes over and indicates that we may stay for a change. It's a load off our minds, and on the way out, we thank him again for his flexibility. The Digicel SIM card, which we bought on Carriacou and is supposed to no longer work in Union Island, has done its job until Rodney Bay. Here in Martinique we need a new one. Le Marin is known among sailors for its extensive yachting equipment. Accordingly, there are also a lot of yachts moored in the protected bay. We take the opportunity and exchange a few lines. I also get Dynema and make some soft shackles. 

Soft Shackle

Since the weather is a bit rainy at the moment, we will stay here for a bit until we find a suitable window to sail further north. Dominica has now dropped the Covid restrictions, so this island will also be interesting for us. Guadeloupe and St. Kitts and Nevis are also still on the agenda. We'll see and if you want to know what happens next, don't miss the next blog entry. Until then, as always, fair winds and keep a stiff upper lip. And always keep moving.