The wind didn’t die down at Valassaaret until pretty late, so I stayed the night. The other little speedboat decided that at 10 pm the conditions were Ok for them, so they left. So Josin, me and the birds. By sitting very still, they gradually decided that I was not a danger, so carried on with their lives. Again many swifts, nesting in amongst the jetty timbers. Terns diving and fishing, and missing. An eagle no less, tho rather far away.
Next morning it was again blowing, so I had an extra hour’s sleep and a wait in the hopes. Went for a wander along overgrown paths. Old foundation stones, with information post and illegible, faded text. Ruins of a quite large boat ramp, rusty rails and bleached beams. More modern things, like the remains of a meteorological station, all stainless steel posts with nothing on the top platforms. Large and rust-grey tanks lurking in the bushes behind no-entry black and yellow tape, and oozing diesel vapours. (Wonder if the leak is strong enough to collect?) Many signs of abandoned activities. Sad, but understandable.
Left at about ten, with a beam, 15 to 20 kt wind and sizeable waves, and rushed and swooped at max speed most of the way. Approaching the Swedish coast four hours later, the wind gradually subsided, but the waves took a little longer, and the last bit was very active! The book of harbour places recommended this place, but was obviously not up to date This island, a former site of a very, very large timbermill, is also showing the same signs of abandonment and decay. (Photos still will not download unfortunately). The previous manager-dwelling, now a hotel and restaurant, has a large ‘for Sale’ sign, and no activity. I was greeted on my arrival by a very friendly native who was just about to go out in his runabout. – From Norway? All that way? Yes, by all means stay, and there is power if you want. No, no charge. Nobody to organise you see. Welcome anyway! Sometimes you hit lucky! Again I have wandered, and found some of the mill buildings, now a museum, and cafe with four guests. Most of the houses are now of course summer places, and with obviously recently cut ‘lawns’. Many large and beautiful trees, but the ‘under’growth is ‘over’. Large sign saying “sheep from the farm” or somesuch, but they would have had trouble with the knee- and thigh-high grass. Lovely flowers though.
Forcast is for more northerly winds, which is good, but with chance of rain, which is not so good. We’ll see. Further to the south west whatever. All’s well, from SailorJohn
Josin's 2025 cruise 