Sailing adventures on a Hallberg Rassy 40 in higher latitudes
On August 11, 2023, after dinner, we rendezvoused with Yuma, who was observing a humpback whale, leading to an hour of exceptional whale watching and photography. Although a nearby fin whale proved elusive to our cameras, we continued southward, sailing in light winds and calm seas despite intermittent rain.
We came to the small science city Ny Ålesund. Where we had a chance to use the internet a little after 2 and a half month without.
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 …
Eager to leave Bodø and its harbor struggles, they cherished the town’s culinary delights but lamented the amenities. Adjusting to Sarah’s organized chaos, Steve embraced a more vegetarian diet. Seizing a favorable wind across Vestfjorden, they sailed through Sørvær and reveled in a smooth journey, relishing memories as Lofoten emerged, offering grandiose Norwegian beauty.
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.
In Rørvik, they met Dutch sailors bound for Svalbard, joining the Northbound boats chat. A late lunch of fresh shrimp led to a grocery run. Despite perpetual daylight, Saphir hosted a ‘sundowner.’ Struggling with weather challenges, they faced rain and motored for another day. Undeterred, they maintained high spirits, enjoying the journey and new connections.
Leaving a cozy anchorage for another day of motoring, they unexpectedly caught good wind, reaching 6 knots. Cooking banana pancakes, the day slowed down with fog, limiting coastline views and requiring vigilance for hidden obstacles and boats. When the wind died after 35 miles, they called it a day in the heavy fog. The next morning, Sarah’s energetic run led to discovering intriguing wood carvings, adding a unique twist to their journey.
Setting off for another day of motoring through the captivating Norwegian channels, the day started with sunshine and mild winds. However, upon reaching the Norwegian Sea, turbulent swells took a toll on Ilse, forcing her to announce she couldn’t continue the trip due to seasickness. A somber final meal marked her departure amid a grey and rainy day.
Setting off early for a day of motoring north through narrow channels in Norway, the absence of wind was tolerable for navigating intricate passages between islands and shallow areas. Enjoying the stunning beauty of the route, the skipper took a break from the ever-cheerful and service-oriented crew. Reaching open water without wind, they opted to return to the channels.