I learned about the Blindleialøpet while chatting to a couple, who came out to our pontoon for a cool down splash into the sea like many others do nowadays. The jellyfish is gone now and I jumped in myself a few times by now. Scandinavian summer going strong!
There was no reason not to get out on the bike to the starting line in Brekkestø joining the crowd. Although it is very much a fun event, all participants seemed to be very eager to win price money and/or award, recognition.
Fair winds…
After Susan pushed me and Lille Poro off she went to catch the Badebåden to Saltholmen Fyr, where we reunited and booked us in for the night.
Our welcome from Asne, Berit and Hans Christian was typical Norwegian, warmhearted and friendly. Also delighted due to the interest we had in their passion operating this magical place of Norway’s heritage under a foundation arrangement with some twenty plus volunteers. The lighthouse was lit first time on 11 November 1882, hosting one family at that time.
The impressions from this overnighter will last long as a one-off experience. Not only taking Lille Poro to the edge of the ocean but also the enthusiasm to preserve the history of Norway, which we have experienced multiple time by now. Kayaking back to Lillesand via Grunnesund became a highlight in itself.
The point I cannot get my head around is, that there are not many arrangements around, where you will, while staying at a house constantly see the sea, whatever window you look out. It does not matter you look through the window from the kitchen, living room, bedroom, toilet, etc., you will be facing the sea. Saltholmen Fyr is one of them.
A place to return on a Southwesterly gale force blowing day/night…
Fair winds…
PS: Hans Christian recently returned from Svalvard and did not miss to bring a bottle of Svalbard Aquavit, a spirit only being sold up in Longyearbyen. We got a zip on our tongues and felt much closer than ever to the glaciers of this particular archipelago.
PSS: My relationship with jellyfish remains as ambivalent as it could be. Pain at one moment (cleaning seacocks), pure pleasure at the next (video above from Salthomen Fyr).
Lille Poro, Unna and me were out for an overnighter on the municipality owned island of Skauerøya. This overnighter was for long on my wishlist and now was the time. Skauerøya is well known within Lillesand and beyond. It made it under the Top 10 in one of the articles published in Yachting Monthly magazine for the Southern Norway Coastline. A boaters & hikers island.
Unna is new to the team and it has itself more than enough depth irrespective you take the Sami or Swedish meaning.
I enjoyed this trip and will work on my setup as it should not have been a one off adventure. Going forward, it will opens up additional, more isolated places hard to discover by other means of transport.
The hike itself around Skauerøya was pleasant and gets three out of five stars under my personal ranking. It’s remarkable what a municipality can offer to its inhabitants and guests.
The three of us will remain in the starting blocks scouting for future adventures.
Fair winds…
The rest of the week kept inviting us for more outdoor activities – namely kayaking and biking. Very little rain, no gales for a while but chilly temperatures. We stayed within the harbour boundaries as there was some old going swell outside in the Vestfjorden.
The Kabelvåg plaines remain my personal little gallaxy. The landscape is simply breathtaking and the distance about right to push my limits in terms of cold weather biking. Despite temperatures above freezing, we had some ground frost, which required additional attention. I have to praise the S-Works Tracer tyre again providing good grip even at these borderline conditions. Nevertheless a pair of studded tyres have arrived and shall be mounted soon to remain safe in the saddle through the winter.
Fair winds…
The gale went through over night and had lost its strength at the time I did my morning walk.
The clouds kept painting the scenery throughout the day and the short one hour kayaking tour with Lille Poro 🛶 felt more like meditation than anything else. It adds another dimension.
Why the hack to leave this island?!?
Fair winds…
It was a memorable and contemplative paddling today around the Skrova Island. Calm and slightly rough conditions playing hand in hand, just as it goes in normal life, sometimes. The buoyage in form of a crossing, also trying to give direction as shown on the photo; sometimes hard to understand but mostly helpful. I will remember this Round Island Paddling (RIP) for many reasons but one:
“On the ocean of life, we are all big ships, that pass through the night.”
I am getting used to Lille Poro 🛶, slowly. Nevertheless, keeping the VHF handheld radio ready in the grab-bag in case needed. Some people would smile about me, in rather good faith…I know that.
Fair winds…
In no way, we spend the day with boat work below deck under today’s bright skies. The heatpump project has to wait.
Lille Poro 🛶 had to ditch into the water. The kayaking season does not stop with the summer in Lofoten and we need to practise and get prepared.
Fair winds…
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