Josin’s cruise 2021 / 17

Back to Egersund, and then South and East.

A couple of days at home in Kongsberg was a pleasant change in lifestyle, a more comfortable bed being one! Also for a change, altitude! Took the car up the local mountain fairly early and enjoyed a gentle walk and sit-and-enjoy-the-view in the fresh mountain air, before the wind started to blow and changed the ambience.

A comfortable train ride back to Egersund the next day got me to Josin at about 9 and a detailed study of the various weather forecasts. Conclusion being that there was a weather window the next day if we started early enough to get round Lista, the westerly of the two bits of southern Norway which stick out and cause weather problems. OK. Alarm for 02:00, cuppa, (too early for breakfast), and away at 03:05. Very dark indeed. Night navigation skills a bit rusty, but modern electronic charts and screens helped awaken them. It is a very long time since I was away from the light «noise» of civilisation, and the night sky was a joyful kaleidoscope of stars, and probably planets, the brightest ones. All too soon dawn crept into the sky, the stars went home, and light increased.

Facebook groups are full of wonderful pictures of multicoloured sunsets, so these ones are unique,- a dawn!

And the sailing? Yes, as forecast, the wind gradually came in from the north and built up to sailable, and we rolled and pitched our way past Lista, and on in to Skarvøy, ( 58 03.9 / 006 54.5) a lagoon in a horseshoe island a few miles east of Farsund. A favourite spot, where I could relax and catch up on sleep in the bright sunshine.

Next morning, a leisurely start, and putter in to Farsund to fill up with diesel, water and food, with the intention of returning to Skarvøy until the wind moderated. Setting off back, the wind had already lessened, and by inspiration, I checked out the webcam at Lindesnes lighthouse. And Lo! It looked much calmer than expected, and a small boat made excellent progress against the wind and waves, which were going eastward. Plan B. Put on lots of layers of wool and the rest, and head out to sea and Lindesnes. It was rough, but not too. It was windy, but not too. Sailed at rushing-along speed and round the corner, where the seas moderated but the wind remained. All the way to Mandal, (58 01.5 / 007 27.1), in brilliant sunshine. Phew! The guest harbour was full, except for a just-big-enough spot for Josin. Several helped with the tying-up, all inquisitive about the conditions, «out there». I gave facts, and an opinion, and on that basis they all stayed put. That was two glorious days sailing, which lifted the spirits no end. And more to come.

Next morning, clear dawn skies and the same wind. A flagpole on the top of the local hill carried a pennant yesterday, but now a Norwegian flag, (must be someone important’s birthday), equally streaming in the wind. So, why wait, and we enjoyed another sailing morning to Kristainsand, (58 08.6 / 008 00.2). On the way the waves were much less, the northwest wind blowing offshore, and I rigged the windpilot for fun. Unfortunately the wind varied a lot in both strength and direction, and windpilot struggled. We zigged and we zagged, and we occasionally went straight on. No other boats in the vicinity, so no problem. Just fun. A third day of sailing. Smiles.

The guest harbour in Kristiansand is right next to an ancient iconic building, The Citadel, once a defence fort, now, this evening, a very loud play/happening. Hope is stops before beddybyes.

Written on my iPad, might look different.

Alls well.