Summer 2011. Sailing back home 5. Egersund, Norway. Waiting for weather

We arrived in Egersund, Norway last week and have been waiting for suitable weather to cross the North sea.

Welcome to Egersund inner harbour

Egersund is a lovely town with nice old wooden houses.

Egersund also has wonderful nature and countryside within 10 minutes walk from the harbour.

 

 

 

One day we walked up to the top of Varberg hill and enjoyed the view of the sound from there.

Summer 2011. Sailing back home 4. Skagen and Fireworks !

Before crossing the Skagerrak, we stopped in Skagen for a night. As we arrived , there was a crowd on the pier singing to The Royal Yacht Dannebrog. Half an hour later , at 22:00 the yacht sailed and we were treated to a spectecular fireworks display across the harbour !

Skagen was almost empty compared with our previous visit. However, the northern tip of Denmark was still busy with pilgrims.

Crossing the Skagerrak from Skagen to Mandal proved a bit of a challenge, motoring in calm, then running in light winds, then running in force 6 to 7 with anything from 5.5 to 8.5 knots on the GPS and the odd 9 and 10+knots readings as waves pushed us along. Turning into the fjord for Mandal got us out of the waves but we felt the full force of the wind just forward of the beam. Fortunately, we had been there on the way south so knew the entrance which is a narrow and twisty river. It was sheltered from the wind so no problems. Although I got sea sick for a short while during this passage, I have managed to steer the boat into Mandal.

Summer 2011. Sailing back home 3. Frederikshavn, town of sculptures

We left Grenå sailing towards the north and decided to stop at Frederikshavn while waiting for fair winds to cross the Skagerrak.

Frederikshavn was a nice place with a lot of interesting sculptures in the town and a nice marina with free hot showers and internet.

Escapade moored next to another Voyager 35, in Frederikshavn Marina.

 

Moon rising over Frederikshavn Marina

 Sculptures around Frederikshavn Marina

On a sunday afternoon, Frederikshavn streets were quiet and we had a nice walk and photographed more sculptures in the town.

 

 Sculptures with running water

Summer 2011. Sailing back home 2. Middelfart - Grenå

With forecasts of southeasterly winds, we left Middelfart in late afternoon and arrived in Grenå after 77 miles of pleasent sailing.

Strib Lighthouse

Looking south to the new Lille Sund bridge past Strib Lighthouse

Grenå was very different to our last visit a month ago. Then it was full to overflowing every night. Now, in mid August there were lots of empty berths in the evening.

Back to Grenå Yacht Harbour

Our return trip to Ærø island, via Great Belt and Little Belt, forms a nice loop around Fyn.