Skarvøya, litt øst av Farsund

Started a bit late yesterday, from Egersund, I think my internal clock was still on UK time. Never mind. We followed strategic course close in to land, having studied the current-charts on YR.no, and I like to think that we saved a lot of time. A fine sailing wind wafted us to and round Lista and a little beyond, before the choppy seas rocked the boat too much for the sails to hold the wind and the engine had to be started. Two other boats in the same predicament did the same, but they went in to Farsund.

Skarvøy is a place I just have to visit on my way past. Two solid places to tie up to. Well protected from most weather directions. Peaceful. Birdsong and sheep-bells for music.

And the weather today is just right for a rest day. Now, late morning, it has started to rain, as forecast, with more to come, so inside activity in a snug warm boat.  

When we got here yesterday in the warm sunny evening I was overly warm in sailing gear, so having studied two thermometers which both showed 16 degrees plus, there was no option but to take a dip. Delicious! And refreshing. Having got a glimpse of a fairly clean propeller, I decided that a proper look was called for today. On with the wet suit, boots, hood and mask, and to my teeth-chattering astonishment the whole hull and propeller were practically clean. Only a touch of the brown grass at the waterline. Must be the combination of and change between salt and fresh water. Ah, well, the cleaning task will be much simpler when Josin comes out of the water later.

The fun started when I tried to get out of the wetsuit. Much struggling, twisting and turning and an obstinate zipper revealed that I had managed to put the suit on inside-out, and the zipper-string (on the back you understand), would only pull the zipper up, not down. Pauses for thought, strategies and actions. None which worked. Travel home in a wet suit? No thanks! Solution? Knife and a slit down the front. Anyone know where I can get a wet suit repaired?

Forecast for the next few days is not promising, with mostly contrary winds, but tomorrow, especially if we start early, rounding Lindesnes will be in calm, with the engine doing its reliable thing, with maybe some sail help later to get us to Mandal at least, maybe to Kristiansand. No rush. I’m in holiday mood!

Alls well