2009-06-21 -23 Gothenburg to Lindesnes

Finally we are on our way to a new adventure. The boat and crew is ready. After a day of final preparations we picked up Kajsa at her work at Hard Rock Café in Gothenburg and around 2200 hours we motored out into a sunset. There is next to no wind, all according to the latest forecast, so we were mentally prepared for a night steaming westward under engine. Lasse took the first watch as darkness fell. Mona went to bed early but Kajsa stayed up a bit longer trying to wind down from a hectic day at work. AC/DC was playing in town so HRC had been very busy. In the small hours a very quiet night was spiced up by a military patrol boat that came steaming after us from a long distance. Only about 20 – 30 meters behind us they finally decided we were not terrorists or a threat to world peace or something and made a sharp turn to starboard and continued north. ???

At 0400 hours it was time for Mona to start her watch and I went to bed in the forepeak which is relatively silent when under power in calm seas. The sun rises in the east under a clear sky and there is still no wind to write home about so we continue under power.

Around 1000 hours well west of Skagen we move in to patches of low fog. Blue sky above us but very poor visibility at sea level. This is an area with a lot of heavy traffic so in moments like this the radar is a blessing. The fog is short lived and around 1100 hours a wind from south starts to pick up. Soon we can shut the engine down after more than 12 hours continues running and we are making around 5 knots under sail on a very calm sea. Wonderful! Our course is set at a point just south of Lindesnes and we are still hoping that we will make it round the south cape of Norway without stopping.

But as the wind builds up it’s veering more and more west and we are finally on a course just east of Kristiansand. Around 2000 hours with two reefs in the main and two in the genoa we are beating our way in between the islands of Sörlandet. Plan B is to find a nice anchorage for the night and continue westward under the shelter of the cost in the morning. We finally drop the anchor in Björvigen east of Kristiansand. After a late but heart warming soup we hit the bunks and sleept like babies.

Tuesday starts at 0700 hours with coffee and checking the weather forecasts. The day offers sunshine but rather strong W – SW winds so we continue under power between the sheltering islands in the archipelago and are making our way past Kristiansand and Mandal and Ny Hellsund (picture below, note the Lama on the hill top) We decide the conditions are unnecessary rough to pass Lindesnes and as the wind is still on the west there is no point. Especially as the forecast for the coming days is offering winds from N – NE. Perfect for a take off to the Shetlands.

We decide to call in early in Lillehavn, almost in walking distance and east of Lindesnes. A very quiet little harbour but with no possibility to fill diesel which was a disapointement. Our chart says so but it’s to old. Now the fish landing place and filling station has made place for condominiums and the once busy harbour feels like a ghost town. We are the only yacht and we see hardly any people, only old Edith who says hello wile knitting in a chair outside here house. Keeping an eye on what’s going on. We take a short walk to stretch our legs. Kajsa and I are doing some last minute trimming of the rig and then dinner. We are off for an early start tomorrow so now it’s time to say good night.