Sundsvall

long, motorsailing day to Sundsvall, to the sailing club marina. Rather dilapidated and out of date, but still functioning. There was a sloping ladder/mastcrane there, something I have been looking for, so as to get to the top of the mast to get the nav-lights to work, but unfortunately conditions didn’t calm down enough. Too many wash-waves from passing boats. Better luck somewhere else later. Chatted with the old salts caressing their coffee mugs on the clubhouse veranda before turning in early. Next morning puttered over to the town’s guest harbour, to fill up with diesel and go food shopping. About fifteen minutes walk in to the town square. There were dragons everywhere, look at this for a sample. Not too scary really!  Sundsvall is a friendly place. 

 
Enormous variety, brightly coloured, each one sponsored by a company. Apparently there is a ceremony every autumn when they get put away for the winter, and another, more festive, in the spring, when they are brought out again. Very popular with the kids, of all ages. The town’s emblem is a large “S” with a dragon’s head. Original!

Washing machine and tumbler drier available, so that was convenient, and, because I was just pipped in the queue, departure was delayed until late afternoon. An energetic sail in lots of wind and waves, and rain, took us in record speed to a Cruising Club’s very sheltered small jetty in amongst the islands for the night. The weather was still blistery, and the floating jetty grumbled and squeaked most of the night. Earplugs necessary!

Left at a reasonable hour this morning, in an excellent sailing wind on the stern, but unfortunately with yesterday’s waves and swell still active. A rolypoly ride, hand steered, as Rorbert the autopilot couldn’t cope. The wind gradually died, and without the stabilising effect of the sails, motoring in those conditions was not comfortable, so I found an SXK buoy in a sheltered bay, pos 67 37.9 / 017 21.4, for an early stop, in the hopes of better conditions tomorrow. Forecast is for southerly breezes and rain. Lets hope it is wrong!

Only two more sailing-days until we are back to where we left Sweden to go to Åland. The weather will decide if we visit western Åland. Definitely on the way home it seems!

All’s well, from SailorJohn