Many days in between. Not inspired to write, sorry!
The northwesterly blew well in Sandhavn, shrieking in the rigging and rocking Josin and me, so I went for an exploratory walk, eschewing the bicycle. Northwards, along a gravel road, past derelict buildings and one recently restored, wild raspberry bushes, (yum), road then became a track which gradually narrowed from two to one and disintegrated, into stones, pebbles, grass and heather, almost at the NE point of the island, where the wind gusted very blustery, so I retreated to a sheltering boulder and admired the view. Gannets. Several of them. Fishing industriously. Dive-bombing into the lee water behind wave-calming rocks. With success. Didn’t have the long-lens camera with me. A pity. Very peaceful spot, the only movement being waves, birds and a few torn clouds.
Next morning dawned even calmer than the weather forecast, so an early start, to experience a long and very boring and unexciting day, all the way for motor with an occasional help from a sail, to Florø, past an uneven Statt, and then via the “outside lane” as it was so calm, missing out Måløy and magnificent mountains.
Florø has a very impressive museum on the other side of the peninsular, so we pottered round there next day and tied up at the very small pontoon where there wasn’t really room. Very sheltered, so no problem. Museum very calm and quiet, with excellent displays of historic Florø, people and activities. The craftsmen’s tools, wow! Many old boats, but unfortunately few explanations as to sort, usage or wherefrom.
Awakened next morning by the screechings of slow-flying herons and the squawking of a skein of high-flying geese. (A bit early? For migration I mean). Sunny day. More motoring. Out southwest to Bulandet. Guest tie-up outside the diesel pump and the restaurant. The one for Josin and the other for me. Fish and well-over-spiced chips. Hohh. Water! Plenty day left, so after a short post-prandial snooze, we continued south, with some help from a sailing wind, to familiar Hardbakke, full of large motor cruisers. Supper and sleep. Forecast was for a sailing NE wind. Dreamed thus.
Not disappointed. Outside the islands a persistent breeze wafted us along in bright and warming sunshine. Marvellous! Almost all the way to the anchorage at Uttoska. Along the way, impressive Cumulo-nimbus clouds developed:
But luckily didn’t reach us to drench us. The mooring buoy at Uttoska was occupied, so we anchored, in good holding, in preparation for the coming gale. The little bay is well sheltered, so the trees around it took most of the blast, and I slept safely and undisturbed by the wind or anchor-alarm. Flat calm next morning, sunshine, and 19 degrees in the water. First time I’ve been in long enough to swim a circuit of the boat. Very refreshing!
Then onward, motoring again in a tantalisingly inadequate wind, to also familiar Strusshamn. Forecast was for rain. Correct. Proper Bergen’s quality. Probably for tomorrow as well. The cockpit tent is up, and rain-sound is comforting. Cabin heater going gently and coffee mug at my elbow.
Alls well. JosinJohn
Josin's 2025 cruise 