16 June. Sorry, no pics today.
The day started very promising, clear sky and a gentle breeze, forecasts for south easterly winds later, so, upandatit. Well, not quite. The toilet pump wouldn’t. Costly time trouble shooting. Relief. Switch kaput. “Switch” now holding the wires together, with sparks. It’ll do until a new.
So, we started a little late, nearly 9 o’clock. It’ll be a late day then. No sailing breeze, so we motored the inshore route to enjoy the view. But NO! Fog. First wisps, then thicker, and thicker. Slow to 3 knots. Vis about 50 meters. GPS and navigation software are wonderful. The various hindrances were passed at a respectful distance, other boats, mostly local fishing dingies, were avoided with mutual waves. Then it all lifted, quite suddenly, and we continued at normal speed towards Lindesnes. Took a slight detour to look at Lillehavn, a useful place to retire to if Lindesnes ever proves difficult. Well, it wasn’t today, nearly flat calm, but the fog rolled in again. Well past Lindesnes and it’s accompanying Bispen rock, a startlingly yellow boat appeared. Four people, two couples, out fishing, judging by the inactive rods. Waved furiously. Puttered over. “Trouble?” Answer in German. Several misunderstandings later, “Compass?” Head shakes. “Chart?” Ditto. All they could say was “Korshavn”. Must be where they hired the boat. A quick check of the nav showed course 33 degrees to the gap outside Korshavn. “Follow me”. Steer course. Wave them past. Shouted “Steer by the sun”. (It was just visible overhead) “Viking style, shadows!”. Gesticulations. One of the wives understood. OK. Bye. Resume own course. Near Lista the fog gradually cleared, and was gone for the day. The wind came in from the south east, as forecast but late, and up went the sails. At last! Quick lunch, not sardines this time.
Lista has strong currents, initially with. Hooray. Then contrary. Bother. Wind gradually increased throughout the afternoon to over 20 knots, which produced wonderful boat speed, but not so wonderful waves. We rolled, we pitched. Rather tiring after a while, but couldn’t complain about the progress. The sky gradually darkened, and produced rain. spots. Then steady. Then lots. Rest of the way to Egersund, just after 20:00. The cabin heater was turned on when entering the calm outer harbour, and life got warm again quickly. Dry socks are a comfortable luxury.
Long day, but 65 nautical miles was great. Next morning, today, the wind was back in the W and blowing hard, so I had been right to stretch the day.
Today a trip by train into Stavanger, to the Apple Store. My trusty iPad had kept on trying to turn itself off. Didn’t like the violent motion maybe. Story later maybe.
All’s otherwise well.
Josin's 2025 cruise 