Monday 8 August 2011

Southward bound

We left Kapellskär heading south...  with flexible plans. The weather was bright and fresh,  but with one of those forecasts that suggested harder weather to come:-).
South meant weaving between the islands and a good watch on the charts and GPS, but we made good pace.  Eventually we reached a more open fjärd and still unsure of what was over the horizon we stopped and took in a reef.
It's good to be prepared, but this time it proved unnecessary.  Soon after the wind eased and we were cruising comfortably towards our destination on Själlbottna - eventually mooring up against a long sloping cliff. We ended up stopping over a second night when the forecast wind  came through in the night, with rain and drizzle to follow.

Sunday 7 August 2011

Kapellskär again

From Rödlöga it was back to Kapellskär and a quiet evening with a walk round the headland, and grilling on the shore by the marina. A chance to catch our breath before start
ing the trip homeward.

Saturday 6 August 2011

In habited

Another windy day... and we head south to Rödlöga skärgård on a short leg looking for a sheltered spot for the night.   And find it we did - but suprisingly, for being so far out, our little haven had a house at the inneer end of the bay so we swapped boaty neighbours for the fastland type that play music and rush about in motorboats.  

But, by evening things quietened down and we were able to enjoy the by now traditional sunset grill.   Even the deckchair came out for an airing.  (It's not on my list for next season ;-)

Friday 5 August 2011

Norrpada


The morning bus brought a double crew and we were all set to put to sea again to see what the northern archipelago had to offer.  What we found was Norrpada - perhaps the nicest island we visited all summer.  Not that big, but not too many boats either - a superbly tranquil spot in the warm summer sun. And given a clamber the views were just great. :-)

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Time stopped at Kapellskär

From Rödlöga it was an easy leg north again to the little gueast harbour at Kapellskär.   This turned out to be a gem.  The facilities are basic - although there are showers about a kilomter away at the campsite -  but the location was super - sat in the midst of a nature reserve and sheltered from most that the weather could do.

We had a leisurely afternoon - walking up to the ferry terminal to check the bus times and then taking a rummage in the secondhand shop and café by the beach across the road.  Bargain of the day - a wheelie shopping trolley that will come in handy next time we have to hike to get groceries.

Evening time saw us grilling on the shore.. and the following day I was at my leisure as the crew took the morning bus back to Stockholm to catch up with real life...

Sun bathing at the beach, a walk in the woods, sitting in the cockpit reading.  What holidays are all about really.

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Offshore

The plan was to head out again, northwards into the archipelago.   Not a bad plan, but the weather was fresh winds from the north as we set out from Möja. 
Tacking out into the channel we struggled at first with the main not being fully set, but finally settled down to beat our way windward with plenty of spray coming over us as we met the chop.  To be honest we weren't pointing that great, although it got better as the day progressed and I got the trim sorted.  And as the day wore on the winds lightened which made things easier.

We set Rödlöga as our goal, which I thought would be about four hours, but headwinds, and the lighter winds in the afternoon made it longer... When we arrived we sailed around to the northside to look for a mooring - but it was a bit like Picadilly Circus, so we back-tracked around the island to find a quieter spot... which we did - a quiet headland with just enough water to get in to shore.  

By that time though it was seven hours on the water and I was tired and bad tempered and not good company for the crew, more's the pity.

Lesson learned - be better prepared with food and drink for the trip - and plan ahead better.. ;-)

Monday 1 August 2011

Möja and dinner

The weather finally cleared and we were back sailing, but after a few days at sea it was time to stock up the larder.  We headed back inshore to the nearest and best - stopping off in Lånviken on Möja for water and food.  But, we were tied up with a strong tail wind so we upped sticks and sailed around to the lee side and tied up in the small fishing harbour at Ramsmora (or more properly just in the entrance to).  

It was getting late by the time we tied up so we rang ahead to the fish restaurant up the hill to see that they were able to seat us....  and got the answer - if you come at once!  So we quickly threw everything below and pulled out some clean clothes for our first sit down dinner since Vindalsö.  And very nice it was too.