22) tromsø

Second rainy day, so, domestics and boat maintenance tasks. First engine.

A little puddle under, green water. Fill a little antifreezewater. Dipstick not at max, so fill a little oil. Check belt, (one of these new, and excellent, polybelts). Oh dear. Worn. Not much life left. Search for spare, which I know is on board. Please you boat gremlins, where have you hidden it? No luck. Google a supplier. Outside town. Google buses. Comprehensive. Choose route. Google nearest bus stop. Close by. Rain togs. Hood up, wind blowing. Folk, not really distancing, huddled in the bus shelter. I huddle too.

Tromsø is built on a high-ridged island, and the bus climbed steeply to the ridge, ran along it, kindergartens, schools, dwellings everywhere, then descended to the other side. View could have been marvellous if it hadn’t been for the low cloud and rain. Long walk to belt place. How much??? Slightly less-long wet walk back to another, but closer bus stop. Of course I should have checked, or asked or something. Bus arrives, but goes away from town. Round the whole island it seems. Oh well, more sightseeing, but not comfortable. Damp.

Back to boat. Heaters on full blast and change clothes. Better now. Install new belt. Start engine and run for a while to bed in the belt. Readjust. Lunch. Spent the rest of the frustrating day trying and in the end, succeeding, in finding an electrical anomaly which has caused worry and concern. Relief! Tidying up afterwards, and re-stowing things in a more orderly fashion revealed, guess what? The spare belt. Thankyou gremlins. Now I still have a spare belt on board.

Better weather forecast for tomorrow, saturday. Filled up with diesel and water yesterday, so we are ready to, and will probably proceed south, towards Sjøvegan again, and hopefully another ride in the sky.

Sorry, no pictures. Rain and low, grey cloud.

Alls well again.