About 3 to 3 1/2 hours to go and we should be arriving in Lossiemouth.
Wind is just about on the nose so we are motoring with the main up. But it’s a nice day. Lunch time now ]]>
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Switched the engine off at 3:15am and had a brilliant sail until 08:15 where the wind has died off and I switched the Engine to improve progress to make the tide into Lossiemouth. ]]>
58:48.89N 02:11.66W
This night sail couldn't be any more different from the
Bergen crossing. Calm seas, nice breeze, starlight sky and phosphorescence in
the water.
We are still motor sailing with full main and genoa, as
we need to keep up an average speed over ground of 5.5kts, to make it back to
Lossiemouth in good time. although we have had a lift with the tide in a
light breeze when leaving Fair Isle, we now have a stronger breeze but need
to make 7kts over water to maintain 5.5kts over the ground. Hope to get the
Engine off a little later as it is now a very nice
F3.
59:32.29N 01:36.21N
After almost perfect sailing conditions after leaving
Lerwick and the due to Fair Isle being temptingly close, we decided to swing in
by for a stop and have a look at the place.
It was a fantastic evening and we rafted up alongside
another boat at the pier at 16:40 and went and had a walk about, visiting the
bird observatory and a walk up to the cliffs to get some photos. The place did
not disappoint, well worth the stop.
After cooking tea and eating in the sunshine we cast off
at 18:45 and motor sailed past the lee of the island before putting upthe main
and sailing into what is turning out to be a stunning
evening.
Lerwick really surprised me and has much to recommend it.
After a pretty bumpy trip with the wind against us for almost half of if, we tied up at Lerwick Harbour at 01:50 hrs BST Thursday morning, giving a total passage time of 36 hours 10 mins dock to dock and distance covered over water of 225 miles.
Looking at the weather forecast it will be a long lie in tomorrow and a departure early Friday for Lossiemouth. ]]>
Only 2 1/2hrs to go :)]]>
60:13.42N 00:31.87E
Lumpy, bumpy and uncomfortable.
Seems to be getting slightly better
though.
60:12.50N 01:39.06E
Difficult night since leaving Bergen sea reaching there
2m + potential and at their worst during the hours of darkness.
The night was pitch black and no reference points,
making sailing very difficult. Especially as we were surging down the waves at
9kts at times. Made excellent progress though, some of which was lost as the
wind moved to the WSW for SW and dropped, meaning the motor had to come on at
7am.
Sea state making things difficult and slow, hence this
being the first update of the crossing.
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I called the Bergen Sailing Club Marina first thing on Monday morning and he said it was no problem to berth. We made the quick 15min trip into a nice sheltered inlet and tied up on the dock by the extremely well kitted out club building. We got a great welcome and enjoyed using the top class facilities.
After tying up we headed out to a swimming centre as the weather was so rotten.
Woke to a lovely morning and we cleaned and tidied the boat. Alison and the kids packed. After lunch at 2pm they headed off to the airport. After some final preparations Ailsa and I untied and left he dock at 14:40 for our crossing. Let’s see where the wind takes us.
We left Strusshamn late afternoon with the intention of going to Bergen’s Sailing club. We stopped at Hjellestad marina to fill up with Diesel. When I called the sailing club they weren’t sure if the had space and the guy I spoke to said he was working in the restaurant?
Decided to remain in Hjellestad. Not a particularly nice place and exposed to the wash from the Fjord but OK for a night. I washed and packed away the dinghy and paddle board in preparation for our North Sea crossing.
Left the the boat club in the morning, intending on going to a small marina the next bay towards Bergen, really so we had showering facilities. When we got there it was really only suitable for small speed boats and there was little shelter. We made for Strusshamn and got there and tied up at lunchtime.
We then got the bus and headed into Bergen and had an explore around the old docks and went to the escape rooms for a challenge. Finlay particularly enjoyed this.
The next day we relaxed on the boat at Strusshamn and I took Eleanor fishing. As usual I didn’t catch anything but when I left Eleanor on the pontoon, she caught 2!!
Very wet and cold trip back from Moalen but the dramatic scenery made up for it.
As it was a long trip I cast off at 8am and let the rest sleep in.
Decided to try some where near Bergen to allow more exploring in Bergen.
Arrived at Eidsvåg boat club at about 13:30 to a very warm welcome from the Harbour officer. Much apologies about the lack of facilities but it had a toilet and it was only 10pounds for the night.
We took the bus to Bergen and went up the funicular railway enjoyed the views and had a walk around the lake at the top.
Mo, what a place. Closer to Voss and the ski resorts than to Bergen and and the sea.
Don’t think I’ve taken more photos in any other location.
Although the weather has been poor,
with a lot of rain and low cloud,
It only adds to the atmosphere of the place. We spent a few hours motoring here after due to no wind and then after a shallow and fast flowing entrance akin to a river you enter Mofjorden. With steep sides and waterfalls flowing into the Fyord
It is every you would expect from a picture postcard Fyord.
On entering we motored
Within 10m of a waterfall and Ailsa and Eleanor towed the dinghy over for an even closer look. Another 45 mins of motoring we reached the end of the Fjord and Mo,
Situated in an amazing spot at a river mouth.
Ailsa and I took the dinghy out to the base of the closest waterfall for a shower :)
Not in any of the English guides, we decided to visit Lonevåg to break up a long trek up the Fjord.
Pleasantly surprised. We were greeted by a very friendly member of he boat club who showed me the facilities etc.
We then spent the afternoon and evening paddle boarding, swimming in the 20deg water ! Exploring the islands in the dinghy and fishing from the pontoon.
Seemed very quiet and peaceful after 3 days in Bergen.
> After arriving on Sunday 29th of July, we got tied up at the town Pier and went of for Dinner for Jill’s last night.
> Jill departed first thing on Monday morning and I went to the airport to meet Alison and the kids at the airport.
> Tuesday, we went to the aquarium, the ice bar and Finlay and I went out for a seafood platter. The weather took a change for the worst on Monday afternoon and Tuesday with bursts of heavy rain, but not the Thunderstorms that were forecast.
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After a morning of swimming and paddle boarding, we upped anchor and left the idyllic Pilapollen in a very fresh Easterly which was not forecast. Just as well we repositioned the anchor before we settled to ensure more swinging room.
Leaving just after 11, we had a tricky departure underneath power cables, twisting through rocks, before entering more open water. Another day with a mixture of great sailing, much motoring and even a spell with the cruising chute.
Trip was really nice, and very picture book Norway.
Very hot too, getting above 30degs, which was bearable when the wind was up.
Decided to not go straight to Bergen as 5pm on a Saturday night might not be the best time to get a reasonable berth.
We opted for Strusshamn, which although a little rundown and has not much in the way of facilities, is very charming. After rafting up to another yacht and noticing many others in the harbour having a swim, Ailsa and I decided to join them. The water was much warmer than Pilapollen, showing 19.5 degs on the instruments? Why the differences, I don’t know.
Feels like a storm coming tonight with the wind freshening and some very black clouds appearing!
