Skarvøya til Lillesand

Woke up early this morning, made up for yesterday. Calm. Mirror water. Two swans. No sheep bells. Too cold for a dip, under 16 degrees, bad luck!

Away before 7, just as the sun peeped over the hill and lit up the scene for a short time. Half an hour on the way towards Lindesnes and the sea fog crept in, luckily with no other boats in sight. Yesterday’s waves were still active, and even more round the point due to reflexions. Bouncy. Rolly. Bit wet. Wind appeared, from the SE, not as forecast, so decided to take the inner route to Mandal, engine purring away. Plenty of navigating. Many cottages, all empty and shut up, the summer is really over. At the entrance to Mandal the wind veered to S, so we sailed hopefully on, for a while, though still with the engine running slowly. Through more islands and closed cottages, past Trægde with many dingies in neat rows, then out in the open again and almost a sailing breeze, followed by a rather wet front. That cleared up, and the wind veered a little, only to be followed soon by another front, which seemed to empty the skies. Very heavy rain flattened the small waves, but the rollers continued. Motorsailed past Kristiansand, of course with Color Line’s high speed ferry coming in at the wrong moment, but he was kind and realised we were going flat out, 7 knots, to try and get out of his way, and he did the manouvering. After the last front the wind veered right round to the SW, meaning almost right aft, but not strong enough to stop the engine. We rolled and pitched onward. Decided not to take “Blindleia”, too much navigating!

Lillesand is a well-protected harbour, with plenty of pontoon space at this time of the season. I picked out a suitable space and had almost stopped to hang out the fenders when a cabin cruiser rushed round Josin and pulled up, half in “my”space. Grrrr. Find another space. and it happened again! Not quite sure of the local hospitable feelings. 

A long day, 61 nm, in anticipation of poorer weather the next few days. Take it easy. Sika some leaky places which the heavy rain found. Dry out!

Weary now. Shuteye.  Alls well