We decided we had deserved a meal out after our strenuous trip from Egersund, and from strong recommendations from a local, sampled the fish soup at the nearby Hotel Hummeren, just at the end of the harbour. One somnolent small lobster in the glass tank in the entry hall was not too promising but the soup was worth waiting for. Just what we needed. Back to the boat and crash.
Monday morning and a beautiful day, light breeze and cottonwool clouds, and a blackbird singing its heart out in the enormous tree almost overhanging the quay. Took a gentle walk up to the Pilot House, but no-one at home, so wandered along the quay out to where the two pilot boats were tied up. Luck was with us. The same crew as yesterday. Pictures requested and transferred. “Thanks”. “No problem”. (See previous blog).
South west wind, 10-12 kts, what more could we ask for to waft us the short distance to Skudeneshavn. Motored through the labyrinth of Kvitsøy just for fun, took in the sails just at Skudenes’ sheltered harbour entrance, and puttered in past picturesque buildings to the inner harbour, where all was peace and quiet in the holiday sunshine. Few boats. Few people. Town square’s benches sparsely utilised. We wandered all along the serpentine narrow street of the old town out to the “look at the view” bench. We viewed. We returned. Not even the ice cream parlour was open. Back to boat and chill out.
Tuesday morning, more sunshine! But, a northerly wind almost on the nose up the Karmøy Sound did not encourage close-hauled sailing. Another sailboat tried it and gave up after an hour or so. Much, pay attention, ships traffic in to Haugesund. Quayside not very fender-friendly, and dauntingly high above Josin’s deck level to get ashore. Dinner was one of the succulent passage stews which M had made, and now needed non-passage eating.
Lots of placards and other ads for SildaJazz, much enjoyed in an earlier year, unfortunately at the beginning of august. Much of my kind of jazz. Hmm.
Relatively early start from Haugesund, in light rain and no wind, motoring again, all the way to Bekkjarvik, a nice sailing wind over the last fjord if we hadn’t been going north. Passed by the enormous charter Motor Yacht, “Aster”. Very posh and gleaming. Blocked the entry to the inner harbour temporarily while settling. The passengers probably attracted to Bekkjarvik Hotel to the restaurant of a Beaucouse d’Or-winning chef. We ate huge hamburgers next door, attended by scruffy sparrows.
A film crew busily active, now trying to capture the efforts of a sartorially attired, but incompetent crew rowing a six-oars rowing boat. But nobody fell in. I’m sure I recognised the guy trying to steer in the stern.
Strusshamn near Bergen tomorrow. Alls Well.
Margaret and SailorJohn
Josin's 2025 cruise 