The summer of 2023 has officially started, from Sandefjord, Friday 26th May. Kari and Gilbert waved me goodbye.
But before that, Josin and I departed home harbour, Åsgårdstrand, on thursday afternoon and sailed, yes actually sailed! (nice way to start the cruise), the short distance to Tønsberg under the evening-opening bridges to the guest harbour for the night.
Next morning, bright sunshine and a favourable wind, Kari and Gilbert came aboard and we sailed to Sandefjord, Gil helming expertly in a very gusty wind, to the anchorage at Tallakshavn, for lunch.
We had a little snooze afterwards, to bide our time for the forecast wind-change from northerly to southerly, so that we could sail the rest of the way in to Sandefjord. But, the forecast was wrong, and the northerly remained, so we had to motor the rest for the way. Lovely day in the warm sunshine though.
It being friday evening, when the sound level in the guest harbour has a tendency to remain loud until late, we retired to Sandefjord Seilforeningen’s Seilerholmen for the night. Quiet there.
Just as I was about to eat my evening meal, there was a knock on the hull, and I was invited over to another sailing boat for a beer. Hans-Morten had seen Josin’s windpilot, and reckoned that I must have tales to tell. Well, I hope that he and Eve enjoyed the evening as much as I did. We all had tales to tell, tho they had been to the Carribian and back.
Saturday dawned calm, and remained so until the southwester came in. By then we had motored most of the short distance to Stavern, but we sailed the remainder. Monitored by a naval vessel lurking in the offing, maybe because there was a very large aircraft carrier somewhere. I suspected that local radio signals were being monitored, or worse, as the MarineTraffic app stopped working. Interesting! GPS still functioning.
Spent a convivial evening with friends Sven and Titten Rønne, with later increasing anxiety, in step with the rapidly increasing wind. (Their house is perched, with a fantastic view). Back at the pontoon, the wind had blown the rollers in from the Skagerak and the pontoon was writhing and heaving and Josin was rolling and tugging at its mooring ropes. (Took a video, but WordPress wouldn’t allow it here). More stretchy ropes. More fenders.
Very uncomfortable night. Now bright sunshine and a gentle breeze, but the rollers haven’t died down yet. Forecast predicts favourable winds later today. If true, then Risør next stop.
Alls well, (-ish).
JosinJohn
Josin's 2025 cruise 