Oh dear, forgot to publish this. Here it comes!
Still in Stugvik, we moved to attach to shore, alongside Jørgen and his light blue Ballad. Interesting to see all the improvements he has made, including copying some of mine.
As you can see, a very rural place to tie up and be neighbourly. Spent a convivial evening with Jørgen and Lisa, and grandson, (was his name Leo?), who had spent most of the morning in the dingy, either puttering around with the outboard, or rowing, experimenting, and the afternoon learning how to sail for the first time. Not much wind, so he had difficulty, but fun. Very pleased with himself, and proud grandparents.
Left at a civilised hour next morning and motored the few nm to Fyrudden, (58 11.5N 016 51.1E), for more food and hopefully a replacement roller for the anchor, the previous one having suddenly decided it would come uninstalled. Hope dashed. Ice cream in compensation.
Then onward, motorsailing in the gentle breeze, navigating the islands. Some places there is little room for manoever, and murphy ensures that one meets another boat just in the awkward spots. The weather was unstable, and the Cu were growing rapidly into CuNb. Very spectacular, and more than a little worrying.
Difficult to evaluate in which direction the core was moving, and thus the rain and/or catabatic winds. While I was deliberating, sure enough, and long before I reckoned, the wind roared down upon us, and blew at over 40 knots, very suddenly indeed. There followed a very active sailor, frantically reefing and winching in flogging sails, trying to not rush towards a threatening, solid-looking island, the while. All, after rather frantic efforts, under control. Breath out. A very interesting and educational experience. The wind reduced suddenly to a brisk sailing wind, so after a suitable wait to see if the cloud hadn’t changed its mind and had finished its blowing, I gingerly hoisted sail again, reefed just in case, and sailed most of the rest of the way to Mosskjær, (58 32.7N 016 59.2E), where I knew there was a sheltered anchorage from the southwester.
Forecast for the next day was for a suitable westerly, and we were heading east, so an early start was made, just after 7, having even made sandwiches and thermoscoffee too, and the wind came after an hour and pushed us all the way to Rånøhamn, (58 56.3N 018 10.6E), where we anchored up in the well-shelterd bay. A known spot, and popular, several other boats either anchored or tied up to the shore. There had been signs of CuNb activity well inland on the way, which I had watched carefully, but luckily no consequences for us today. Long day, nearly 50 nm.
Quiet night was followed by a grey, wet and depressing morning, so I relaxed, read book, (cooled it in modern terms), and waited for better conditions.
Yesterday must wait til the next posting.
Alls well.
Josin's 2025 cruise 