A rather bouncy night made it difficult to get the day going, so we didn’t leave Nordskot until after elevenses, but there was a pleasant northwesterly breeze blowing, and as soon as we were out in open water, the genakker was unfurled and we had a wonderful, gentle sail, past impressive mountains:
Goal for the day was therefore Nordfold, a small town quite a way into the Foldafjord, as the now-westerly wind was carrying us there. But, the wind gradually died, and we went in to Heimsund, on Hjartøya, ( 67 39.3 / 015 02.7) instead. Here was a long slowly-shelving bay leading to a wide sandy beach, with people, the family sort, of all sizes. We were at just after the bottom of the tide, an ideal time to enter an unknown place. My newly-calibrated depth-sounder told me gradually less water, boatspeed at an absolute minimum, until it showed 0,9 meters, so we stopped, the bottom, of clean sand under green water, very clearly visible. Drop anchor and back. Firm hold. Still a long way from the beach. Pleasant evening in the sun-filed cockpit, reading and enjoying the cloud formations, and snoozing. Early to bed to try and compensate for the previous night.
Woke early, much refreshed, to a light north-easterly breeze, and managed to hurry the routine to get away, to again, a gentle genakker sail. Unfortunately the wind gradually veered more and more easterly until, with the genakker still just filled and drawing, we were almost headed out to sea. Not sensible, so genakker got rolled in and foresail out and main sail up. Just managed close-hauled to keep desired course for a while, until more veering of the wind meant I had to down sails and start the engine. Headed for Hjelløy, where there is a mooring buoy. ( 67 32.7 / 014 29.3), Been there several times before. On the way in there is a small. low little island, and on it standing sentinel on its highest (!) point, was a sea eagle. I slowed down to almost stop, and watched. The bird watched me, just fifty meters away. I crept below to fetch the camera, but I must have scared him , as he flapped majestically away. No picture. Could have been a good one. Into the bay, surprisingly five boats, including one on the buoy. Bother. Tried anchoring several times, but the bottom was all thick seaweed, and we only succeeded in ploughing up sheaves of it, without holding. People on the other boats watched, and were probably amused. Then, wonders, the motorboat on the mooring left, so we quickly tied up to it, closing entertainment for the day for the masses.
Evening was absolutely calm, with interesting skies reflected in the mirror-water: Looking east. Looking west.
Forecast for today was for partly cloudy and very little wind, which checked, so we boringly motored all the way to Bodø. Guest harbour was overfull, two abreast here also, and after a good deal of looking, found a spot on the fuel pontoon where there wasn’t a “reserved” sign, together with three other sailing boats, with just space for Josin. Managed to touch the one ahead with Josin’s bowsprit, which I had forgotten to take in. (Can’t see it from the cockpit). No damage. Smiling skipper, who took my ropes.
Only 19 nautical miles today, all motoring. Shame. I’d rather got used to sailing! Forecast is for rain tomorrow, so a little shopping and some tourism is in order. The National Aeronautical Museum is here.
Alls well.
Josin's 2025 cruise 