Sailing adventures on a Hallberg Rassy 40 in higher latitudes
Since clearing into the US we’ve slowed down due to extreme weather and social visits. It was a tough sail to Portland that left Snow Bear frozen, but we made it safely. We had a great Christmas, explored Portland and Portsmouth. Now, we’re wintering in Gloucester, doing a few boat projects and enjoying the area’s rich maritime and cultural scene
While waiting for the ice to clear and right wind to make the passage to Greenland we have been exploring the beautiful Western part of Iceland. The steep mountains often makes the gust in the harbours accelerate so the windy nights can come as a big surprise. We are really glad we had the extra time to explore more of Iceland and visit many excellent and completely free harbours.
We spent a week in Tórshavn harbour, where we rented a car and drove around the Faroe Islands. Following the scenic routes in the road map is very pretty, but it is a good idea to bring food and drinks on the trip. We also visited the famous bar on the island Nólsoy.
Sarah spent two months in Denmark organizing her life before embarking on an adventure with Steve. Upon arrival, both contracted COVID, causing delays and a reassessment of their quick decisions. Despite the setbacks, they enjoyed road trips in England and delayed their journey until January. New Year’s was celebrated in Glasgow, with excitement for the year’s adventures ahead.
18th July 2023 It was a beautiful day at Mushamna when we woke up yesterday. We could see some reindeers resting in a bit of snow and a lot of birds were having dramatic fights …
17th July 2023 We ended up arriving late at Hamiltonbukta and when we arrived it was foggy so we decided on a few more G&Ts. We found a marmelade gin tester size, which we had …
14th July 2023 With our two failed attempts to sail yesterday we ended up motoring all day to Magdalenefjorden. This gave Sarah a chance to finish her 4th book and Steve got a chance to …
Navigating the chilly waters towards Bear Island at 74 degrees north, the duo battles exhaustion and irregular sleep during their 3-day journey. Despite fatigue, the allure of encountering whales and dolphins keeps spirits high. Groggy and disoriented, strange eating habits emerge, but Sarah’s adaptation brings hope for a better routine. Anchoring on Bear Island’s southeast side, they anticipate a windless night ahead.
The past days brought tranquility as they motored towards Igerøya, embracing the sun amid perpetual daylight. Navigating shallow harbors, the landscape hinted at approaching northern realms. Disrupted eating and sleeping schedules ensued. Battling currents, a scenic anchorage was found, allowing a peaceful dinner in the cockpit. A dolphin sighting marked their serene departure.
Smoothly sailing to Brønnøysund, they passed the famous Torghatten rock with its photogenic hole, though clouds obscured the view. Attempting fishing, Steve’s speedy sailing sabotaged the effort. Opting for a restaurant in Brønnøysund, a delightful evening unfolded with Saphir, featuring a four-course dinner, wine, and a jovial return to the boat.