Vegstein på Vega. (pos: 65 41,18 / 012 01,59)

Fra Brønnøysund to Vega startet well, as forecast, but the increase in wind came much earlier, so the last hour and few miles were a wet, bouncy, splashy time in a gale, 30 knots. Arrival at Vegstein was down wind and a tricky maneuver into the space beside the bouncing pontoon, on which stood the brave reception committee of Knut, Sturla and Johan, stalwarts of the local maritime preservation society, and friends from earlier visits. Yes please, a hot coffee would be very welcome. That was friday.

It is now tuesday morning, the intervening days have been cold, windy and partially wet, but the summer was gloriously here yesterday for the whole day. Light breeze, blue sky and warmer, and a perfect day to have at those places of potential leaks, at last!. Lots of dismantling, skraping of old sealant and re-sealing. Found also several very narrow cracks, both in earlier repairs and new ones. Maybe it was these which have been the sinners. Borrowed tools from Johan to grind out. New polyester filler. Sunny dry-out. It is now raining again, so frequent inspection for drips today.

My consultant services were used on saturday to design a support for an enormous, ancient grindstone, donated to the museum here, and later to hold the box of screws and hand them out one by one. Sturla held in place, Knut screwed electrically and Johan supervised. (I think there is a picture of it somewhere on this blogsite). Most satisfying to be able to contribute. The structure got its second coat of barn-red paint this morning, the results will have to wait until it gets dragged out into the daylight. It was quite dark in the shed out of the wind and rain. Not much paint on my overalls, just one small mark, on the right knee, as a memento.

The museum/cafe was officially opened yesterday, 11 to 16 every day, and a few tourists came. Britt is in charge, and ensures piles of delicious waffles and liters of coffee (made in an well-battered kettle of impressive size), are ready for customers. Luckily for the workers and their assistants, there is enough for mugs of coffee in the well-earned pauses, and even a waffle if one asks nicely. (Britt usually cooks a few too many). This consultant was also used because of his command of the International, English, language to communicate with diverse foreigners. The men are impressed with Johan’s various engines, in loud motion, and the women ask Britt for her waffle recipe.

I’ll be here for the Midsummer Eve party on thursday evening. Forecast is reasonably realistic for a traditional bonfire, but you never know. But leaving will depend on a sailable wind. I just don’t care for motoring into a cold, splashy northerly any more. Friday afternoon or saturday could be promising.

More reading, as it is raining, then maybe a coffee, maybemaybe a waffle.

All’s well