Blog the first, this year.

The start was delayed, due to…… Haven’t we heard that before?

Margaret arrived on schedule on the 24th May, and after a family party we were supposed to leave shortly after, Josin in top fettle, except……

My super specs fell apart. Helpful neighbour delivered them after we had left, (weekend) to Interoptik in Kongsberg. Who reported gleefully later that they had found a replacement frame and would send them to their shop in Stavanger.

Upgrading the software on the Raymarine equipment and instruments, like a good little boy, left the autopilot non-functioning. Yes I had read the instructions, and didn’t have any problems last year with the same procedure, so what to do? All expert contacts were busy with the Skagen Regatta preparations, and the next day, a thursday, was Ascension Day, so nobody worked that, or friday or saturday. Next working day, the monday, we were tied up at 8 am at the nearest source of expertise, Serco, and with a promise of immediate attention. It happened! Three men, one expert, one under instruction, and me of course, spent two hours before almost everything worked again, including the vital autopilot. Waved the plastic and with heartfelt thanks, proceeded on our way.

It rained. Motored southward with the wind on our nose, then through Vrengen, with the sails up for ten minutes until Margaret’s Josin cap blew off in a gust, and we doubled back and found it. Then out into the Tønsberg Fjord to short, sharp waves and wind against, the engine purring away nicely. To Sandefjord. Wet. New points of leakage had appeared, luckily not over bedding. (To the initiated: No, leaks still dribble down the mast!).

Tuesday we successfully cured the leaks under the genoa sheet runners with copious Sikaflex, and then went shopping for sailorboots for Margaret, and a replacement fender for Josin, before dressing up and enjoying an absolutely delicious meal at Brygge 11, baked steinbit plus,plus.

Up betimes wednesday and away down the coast, all the way to Lillesand, 81 nm, mostly on engine. Long day, to try and make up some lost time, arriving in the gloaming with nav-lights ablaze. Awoke next morning to brilliant sunshine, but it didn’t last long before the thunderclouds rolled up and doused us running between shops, before diving into a cafe for a coffee and a sustaining sticky bun.

Re-fuelled next morning, and away for another motoring day, to Farsund, only 65 nm, again arriving late. Consumed hot peasoup and slept.

Friday dawned bright and sunny, with a sail-able wind, no less, and we motored out into the north-west-flowing current past Lista. To Egersund. Wonderful to sail again, close hauled all the way until the wind veered instead of backed, and a bit of help from the engine the last half hour.  Nice welcome from the harbourmaster who took our ropes but struggled a bit with his spiel in english.

YR.no is usually a very reliable weather forecasting site, but so far this trip it hasn’t been quite so good regarding wind direction and strength.

New poggle: Rang Interoptik in Stavanger this morning, saturday, to hear that Norges Post had not managed to deliver. What now? Sunday tomorrow, then Whitmonday. Possibly specs on tuesday. Weather window for crossing the North Sea opening monday, closing thursday. Solution: Let Interoptik keep specs until we get back at the end of the month, and buy several pairs of cheapo reading glasses.

Plan A. Leave Egersund early tomorrow, Josin refuelled, clothes washed and stores re-provisioned, with a predicted following wind and current to Skudeneshavn, which is our startingpoint for North Sea crossing on monday. 200 nm to Lerwick, Shetland. Probably take about 36 hours. Little wind to begin with, northeasterlies later. Perfect. Margaret has made a very large pot of succulent beef and vegetable stew, and we bought sliced bread and other sustaining foods easily dealt with and consumed.

Alls well with Margaret and SailorJohn