Josin’s 2022 Summer Cruise, #8

Hanö.

Everywhere in Sweden celebrates “Midsommer”. Always on a friday, (there’s good social-democracy for you), with festive decorations everywhere, including sailboats:

(By the way, signal flags on Josin are in the correct order according to maritime regs)

Girls, of all ages, have garlands in their hair, best summer clothes, and kids highly charged on icecream.

I had gone a long walk over a good deal of the island in the morning, fantastic 360 view from the top by the lighthouse, and after lunch had taken a (little) snooze. Woke up after the festivities had started unfortunately. This involves decorating a high, specially-formed cross, with fresh branches of greenery. Then with suitable chants, it is erected in the middle of the village green, to loud acclaim. (I hope you can see it in the next pics). Then there is music and song, all well traditionally known, and finally ring dancing to special music and texts:

All ends up with everyone falling to the ground, then clapping hooray. Impressive!

Then there were competitions for the youngest. Sack races! And egg-and-spoon relay races! Lollipop prizes for all. Then it was all over, and people un-mingled to their own evening gatherings. They couldn’t have had a better summers day for it.

So, back to the boat and take in the signal flags, carefully packed in the right order for next time. I celebrated by having a delicious fish soup at the restaurant in the evening sunlight. Quite a day!

Next day, sail away!

Alls well!