The trip from Ålesund to Gardemoen to welcome John Magnus was long, interesting, tiring and well worth it. I’m still not sure if he knew I was going to be there, but the grin was ear-to-ear and the hugs huge. Mum Kari first, we others afterwards.
It turned out that the train I rode from Åndalsnes to Dombås, up the Rauma valley, was the last for a while, as there is a mighty gigantic rock, “Mannen”, poised over the valley at a critical point, and in fear of descending because of all the rain. Road and railway now closed, people evacuated. Unknown re-open date. Lucky I had planned to fly back.
Drama while I was away. The wind, a southwester, blew very hard straight into Ålesund harbour, and caused waves which annoyed all the sailing boats there, and threatened to cause damage. I got a message from Viel who had seen pictures on the online local newspaper. My phone got punched trying to contact help, but luckily the harbour folk, and the next-door boat had got things sorted out by the time I spoke to someone who knew, and who could reassure me that the panic was over. Trust that sort of thing to happen just when one was away for the day! Subsequently the helpful boat, “Fri”, and Josin have taken same routes and times. Reassuring.
From Ålesund we took the inland route through fjords to Larsnes. Quiet, specially in the rain. Forecast for next day, yesterday, thursday, was promising for the trip round the Statt headland, which always has exaggerated weather. True forecast, sunshine and showers and not much wind, but the forecast didn’t say anything about seas in several directions, including strong reflections from the cliffs. We bounced. We rolled. We pitched. We got sprayed. We got rained upon and rinsed for salt. Patience was rewarded and we tied up in Måløy harbour, slightly shaken but not deterred.
Forecast for this morning was for lots more rain, but very little wind, so the idea of waiting a day was put off. From Måløy to Florø is a sort of zigzag of fjords, where the wind gusts can, and did, come not only from several directions, but also from above. It rained the whole way, and the consensus among the several boats which had made the same passage was that wet was the descriptive word for the day. (Hanging sailing clothes still not dry). More of the same tomorrow, but should clear up at lunchtime. If so, then a late midday start and a fairly short day I expect.
All’s well
Josin's 2025 cruise 