Leaving Sandvik, (I’ve corrected the coordinates in #10), in the afternoon meant an evaluation while underway as to how far to sail, for sail we did, a 10 to 15 kt southwester, which took us north over the sound to the Swedish mainland east coast, with myriads of islands and lurking rocks, to a delightful little bay called Baggehällen, (57 23.9N 016 38.8E), surrounded by trees, where the anchor dug in solidly. Relax! Longish day. Meal. Early to bed.
Next morning, just after sunrise, I think I was awakened by the sounds of nature getting the day going. Herons squawking. Cookoos, (in July?). Crows arguing. Anyway, quite idyllic. Ate a leisurely breakfast in the cockpit and watched four swans, each patrolling with their brood of ball-of-fluff ducklings, (cygnets?), upending themselves to find food. Fun! Clean forgot to take pics. Bother.
Forecast was for a gradually increasing south easterly, which luckily checked this time, which blew us a main-and-genaker sail in the sunshine all the way to Stugvik, (58 07.0N 016 49.0E), where the local group of the Swedish Sailing Association has its out-harbour. Been her several times before, and always a place, even though there are usually many boats.
Another Ballad there, (the boat furthest away in the second pic), captain Jørgen Ekvall, who I’ve met several times before, and who remembered previous meetings much better than I did.
Awoke after a strangely disturbed night to a grey and not very inviting, overcast morning, so decided to stay the day, and do some boatjobs, not least of which was to re-discover how to stop the genaker sheets from getting tangled when rolling the sail in, (a three-hand job). Maybe a swim later to investigate the hull for weed, and the logrotor, which has become unreliable. Then leave the buoy and tie up beside Jørgen for a proper chat.
Alls well.
Josin's 2025 cruise 