After a morning of organising, washing clothes, re-packing and wondering what we’d forgotten, tanked up with fuel, (not water, as there was an E-coli scare), we set off at teatime, under a low sky, up the Fedjefjord, under sail and motor and occasional rain, to the well-protected lagoon at Uttoska, were there is a mooring buoy, and there was nobody on it, so I hooked it while M manoeuvred expertly up to it in a flukey wind. Late dinner. Study weather forecast. Promising. Sleep.
Woke up early, and last night’s forecast was right. Lovely southwest wind, up to 20 knots, some cloud, some sun. Perfect for sailing northward. We did. Just genoa. Max speed almost all the way, except in the narrower passages in amongst the islands when we reduced sail somewhat for better manoeuvreability. The ride across the entrance to Sognefjord, with the waves rolling in from the North Sea, was a bit bumpy, and coincided with M trying to make sandwiches for lunch, forgotten earlier. Success luckily.
After a glorious sail, we uttered in to Hardbakke, protected by a very impressive wall of knobbly mountain:
just in time for tea, to find an empty pontoon. M noticed that the buoyancy boxes under the pontoon were adorned with large mussels in the clear water, and recommended that the captain dived for some. Having consulted the thermometer in the water, a doubtful 12 degrees, he declined. Wandered up to the shop later just not in time (18:00) to buy fresh bread. Went next morning instead.
Forecast was for stronger SW winds, 25 to 30 knots, and as there are some parts of the way north in fairly open water, we decided to stay the day and potter. Up the hill to the plateau behind the houses to find the Skafferiet restaurant. Closed. Excellent view. Wind around our ears.
Clouds rushing past, so there would be much more wind at sea. Correct decision to stay.
Førde tomorrow? Alls well.
Josin's 2025 cruise 