to hardbakke, (61 04.4N / 004 50.2E)
Monday 3rd June. A very windy day. All my sources of weather info, YR.no, Windy, and the Coastal Radio got it a bit wrong, timewise. All predicted a South Westerly gale, and gale there was but it arrived while we were out sailing, and not later. Ah well, another confirmation that both Josin and I are capable of handling a gale with aplomb.
The first hour or so was in the broad fjord, protected from the rollers from the North Sea and local wind-blown waves and we made excellent progress in 15 kt wind, thinking that this was going to be a fun day. But later, outside the fjord and exposed to more weather, it became rather tivoli-like in motion, but still with full sail. Still fun. Then the gale arrived, what? Already? 25 kts steady and much more in the gusts, so I reefed both sails, two in the main, and about half the area in the genoa and settled down to a helter-skelter ride downwind to Hardbakke. Not quite so much fun! But quite OK. There were a few sunny spells and short, sharp rain showers, but not enough to feel cold. Watching the clouds being torn across the sky was quite an entertainment. Glad I’m not in the least exposed to mal-de-mer!
Amusing to see a few ships going in the opposite direction rocking up and down in boffing clouds of spray. For most of their journeys these are coastal vessels and they sail inside the islands so do not experience waves.
Arriving in the very well-sheltered harbour at Hardbakke seemed quite an anti-climax, and almost idyllic, and plenty of places to tie up:
The motorboat in front of Josin was surprised to see us, as he had tried to go south and had returned chastened.
Look at those mountain faces behind the harbour! Can’t you see all the trolls that are lurking there?
This morning, its Tuesday 4th june, I can confirm that the weather forecast was and is correct: Still a gale and rushing rain showers. Josin has a significant heel to starboard as even in this sheltered spot the wind is powerful enough and right on the beam. An inside day therefore. Heater on, things to do, books to read, food to eat, and snoozes too.
Alls well, from StayputJohn
Josin's 2025 cruise 