Josin’s 2022 cruise, #13

Sorry about not publishing post #12 until now. Makes for lack of continuity. However, here write-ith the next one.

I left you in Ranöhamn, cooling it in the rain and wind. Things gradually improved and by mid afternoon the rain at least, had stopped, though the north-easter was still wearying, and, wanting to get moving, I donned plenty of clothing and we set off, into the wind, for engine. Rather boring. Nearing a point where I needed to decide whether to continue north-ish, or turn to port and head for Saltsjöbaden, (59 16.5N 018 18.i9E) with the wind now sailable, and as the forecast was for more rain tomorrow, (here were the warning clouds on he way):

I decided on the latter, and had an enjoyable sail in a clearing evening. Harbour looked to be chockablock full, but a yellow vest encouraged me to squeeze small Josin in between two large distainful other plastic fantastics, until they appreciated the proud Norwegian flag at Josin’s stern, and we were accepted after a few “where from” and suchlike questions.

Next day “dawned” brighter than forecast, so I decided on a new hunt for an anchor roller, and also to update a map for the chart plotter, as we were getting close to the edge of detailed-navigation seas.

A local train shuttles between Saltsjöbaden, a posh, traditional, remote suburb of Stockholm, and the city, with plenty of stops in between, one of which, Nacka, was close to a shopping centre with a boat-things shop. I managed to persuade the BillettAutomat to sell me a ticket, and we rattled along, yes, loudly, past woods and houses and water with boats. Nacka station was not announced, and I saw the station sign just as we were pulling out. Bother! Get out at the next. Study iPad map. Fairly straight-forward route, not too far. Sickla shopping centre is unusual, in that it is built around an enormous parking area. Murphy again: the next place you get directed to is on the opposite side.

Boat-things shop didn’t have an anchor roller of the right size, but a map update, yes. Across the parking area to a possible source. No, not there either. Next? I had on my list to food-shop at another station on the way back, but here was an ICA, on the other side of the parking area, so, why not? It was certainly the biggest supermarket I have experienced outside the US, and it took ages to fill my list, seemingly returning to the place I just was, instead of finding the next one. Found several succulent things not on the list, some rather heavy, and ended up with two bulging plastic bags. Consult iPad Google maps. Short way to Nacka station. Puff up a long flight of steps. Wait twenty minutes and the blue rattler appeared. Soon the PA system started bellowing messages. Something about technical failure down the line. Sure enough, a long wait at a station, a new bellow, and everyone got off, I hesitatingly last. My body language must have been convincing, as a slim thirty-year-old offered his translation, then generously took my heavy bags and we followed the straggling line, through leafy woods, to a stationary, untidy queue at a bus stop at another shopping centre, this time in one building, just as the promised rain arrived, in large, very wet drops. No bus thanks, a TAXI! My Good Samaritan friend helped again. Short wait huddling under a roof overhang and Taxi arrived, very helpful, quickly, with the clobber. He drove me almost all the way to the boat, the last bit along what I would consider to be a wide footpath. With pedestrians. Whatever. Taxi fare was nearly twenty times the train, but way worth it! After all that excitement, exertion and stress, I took it easy for the rest of the day.

Forecast for tomorrow was promising, rain to cease in late morning. It did, to a lovely day, even for sailing!

More tomorrow. Alls well!