Josin’s 2026 cruise # 7.

Decision time.

Sorry about the rather long pause since the last posting, time to write has seemed to elusive.
Opinions about the weather were divided in Egersund, while the southerly wind whistled in the rigging. Christer chose strong sailing wind and plenty rain, (youth survives being wet maybe), and departed next day, to report later that the rain stopped earlier than predicted and he had a fast sail to Tananger.
Tone and I waited for hopefully dryer conditions.

Christer’s contortions in the nether aft regions of Tone’s Maxi Fenix found the source of leakage, a loose through-hull fitting of the engine exhaust. Incomplete tightening of the nut left space and opportunity for it to corrode solid on its threads. So, how to fix? More Christer contortions over the stern with sealant pistol leaving a generous collar around the flange, hopefully to stop the inflow. Time will tell.

Josin and Artic Vibe departed very early next day in the hope of getting the best out of the day, conditions were gentle and we motor-sailed for quite a while. Gradually the clouds appeared, and explosively grew to impressive proportions and darkness. Such CumuloNimbus clouds when developed, generate their own local weather system, with strong downdraughts of varying direction and strength. So it was over the Jær coast, where there is nowhere to hide. It rained and blew and was chillingly cold.
In between the showers, we sailed and were encouraged by beautiful rainbows.

Decision
It was a long day to Skudeneshavn (59 08.9N 005 15.5E) and during the pauses in the more stressful periods of uncomfortable conditions, I came to the conclusion that the combination of possibly, probably similar conditions in the North Sea this un-summery summer, (there is yet another low developing over in the SW atlantic), and my aged stamina were together perhaps a bit too daunting, and I decided to cut out the Shetland plan.
Sad but also glad.

Skudeneshavn, (fantastic building on the way in)

was, as always, calm and sheltered, with only one other sailboat there. Being rather weary and impatiently hungry, we headed for the pizza restaurant in the square. Blank windows. Closed. Bother. On the other side of the square is the hotel, with restaurant, but we were not sartorial, so back to boat and bacon and eggs. Later a knock on the boat and there was Knut, lives nearby with his sailboat tied up outside the back door. Another who’d read Seilmagasinet and was keen to talk about solo sailing. He’ll be off on a long sail soon.

Next morning the wind blew still and we were blown and bourn (strong current) up the fjord to Haugesund, (59 24.7N 005 16.1E) quayside top with all new boarding and tie-up points.
There is an excellent boat things shop there, on the quay, with almost everything, unfortunately not an autopilot for Tone, as hers had finally given up, in spite of my diligent scrutiny of the user guide. The only way of not buying something in a boat thing shop is not to go there I find. Well, I needed another bottle of diesel treatment anyway.

Onward for a few hours to Eltravåg, (59 33.8N 005 17.0E) to be received by Reidun, (friend of a sailing friend), a fast ferry skipper and X-X, (sorry, didn’t write your double name down), in a sudden shower which wetted us all well. A very convivial evening and a good night’s sleep.

Rather late start next morning, waiting for the weather to improve, which it didn’t, and the´ wind to blow in the right direction, which it did. Goal was Strusshamn, (60 24.2N 005 11.5E) near Bergen, and we made good progress until the wind turned north, it started to rain and we motored. For the first time under way, I struggled the cockpit canopy almost in place and could be less wet, but Tone was exposed, and got more wet and cold, so we heaved to and while Josin towed Arctic Vibe very slowly round and round in small circles, Tone got into dry clothes and humour was restored. The rest of the way was tedious and in almost fog, plenty traffic to keep me busy.
Strusshamn at 21:50 was nearly full, but we both squeezed into one wide berth and shut hatches. Dry clothes. Anchor dram. Food. Sleep.
Woke early to find it chilly. The shore power had gone. Out to investigate. Switches all on. Fuse box locked. Lucky that Josin has a powerful inverter to power the kettle. Early morning cuppa saved.

Next day, that must’ve been yesterday, (saturday), after proviantering and dieseling we motored north, wind against still, to Litle Bergen, (60 32.4N 005 14.4E) where Tone skulle hente en genoa sail. Confusion, directions incorrect. Time passed. Found in the end. So we stayed the night there.

Sunday now, today, woke to clear skies and glorious sunshine, no wind and mirrorcalm water. Not so many layers of clothes today. Our little flotilla was on the move before 8 and headed again north. Decided to stop for lunch at Sherjehamn, (60 56.6N 004 57.3E), bit later than planned when we got there, but there was still fish soup. Excellent!
What we had not done, poor seamanship on my part, was to tie up such that if the wind strengthened it would be difficult to leave. It did, a lot, and changed direction so that the harbour jetty didn’t break the waves. Result: We were pinned to the pontoon by wind, over 30 knots in the gusts, and small sharp waves which jumped the fenders up and we bumped pontoon, ouch! Everything which could be used as a fender was employed, but I eventually plucked up courage and called Redningselskap, who help sailors in trouble. I could report no casualties but our boats would be dented or even crushed if the wind and waves didn’t calm a bit. After discussion as to how they could help and availability, (from at least an hour away), we were assured that the wind wasn’t expected to increase, but calm down soon. Well, my optimistic self agreed and the wind is now really on the wane.

One lives and learns! Perchance to sleep?

TiredJohn