From Lillesand to Risør to Stråholmen. (58 54.2N 009 38.9E)
We sailed both stretches, in rather too much wind and a lot of wavemotion, with just the genoa, well in-rolled. Nice sunshine though!
Must admit, I’m getting a bit fed up with all this wind. “Atlantic Lows”, Floris the latest one, have been queuing up and blowing hard, even when making landfall here in Norway after blasting other places, particularly Scotland I read. Lots of atmospheric energy there.
Now a sailor shouldn’t complain about too much wind, wind is what its all about after all, and its fine with reduced sail, but it’s the rollers and waves and chop that it generates which I don’t appreciate so much any more. Tiring.
Well, Risør stop was at Finnøy, Risør Seilforeningen’s center, often visited before, well sheltered, and this time also a sanctuary from all the vessels and hubbubb going on at the Risør Wooden Boat Festival. Guest harbour very full I could see as we sailed past.
A quiet night with gentle rain, and I slept very well, not having to worry about Josin and mooring ropes and fenders.
There was usually less wind early, forecast so anyway, so it was an early start again. The first half hour, in the bay, was peaceful, but out in the open sea the disturbed seas were still there and we rolled and pitched being blown along nicely. Course was laid close in-shore where the south-going current was less, and then inside Jomfruland, a long thin island with good protection from the weather, where current and waves were blissfully absent, then in to Stråholm with its north-facing U, hopefully sheltered.
It is, but the SW wind is still blowing over the top of the breakwater and whistling in Josin’s rigging. Not many boats around, as you can see. A quiet-ish night.
Went for a long walk this morning to the north of the island and from a high-ish viewpoint there had a panoramic view back south, over the island and the sea. Very therapeutic, in the wind. Got back to the “center” to be very surprised to see a lineup of elderly men, who turned out to be The Norwegian Seaman’s Choir, who were visiting, on their way home from Risør, where they had surely entertained. And they gave an impromptu concert for about half an hour. Sorry about the dreadful sound, if you can hear it.
Most unexpected and enjoyable. Shanties in both Norwegian and English, some even recognisable, few understandable.
It is now early evening and the promised rain came and hasn’t stopped yet. It is still blowing, 25 knots in the gusts, and we wait.
Tomorrow’s forecast is for a return of the summer, that’s good, but still with this wind, a little less later in the day. So it will be a late start from here.
Alls well,
WellventilatedJohn
Josin's 2025 cruise 