Summer 2011. Sailing back home 8.Arrived, Back in Stromness,Orkney !

We arrived back in Stromness today , after sailing 1.717 miles this summer. 

We had a lovely day sail from Long Hope to Stromness today with strong winds , 25-30 knots from southeast, and just celebrated our arrival with my boat made fruit cake and our ginger beer !

Long Hope, Orkney

  

We first sailed from Kirkwall out to the east and around South Ronaldsay and into Scapa Flow and decided to spend a night at Long Hope.

Copinsay lighthouse and Horse of Copinsay

Pentland Skerries

We had a nice sunny afternoon in Long Hope and spent the night moored alongside the lifeboat.

Summer 2011. Sailing back home 7. From Peterhead to Kirkwall, Orkney

When we had a break from Gale force winds, we decided to sail up to Orkney. So we left Peterhead with the tide in Saturday afternoon and arrived in Kirkwall after 24 hours of sailing.

It was very nice to see beautiful lands of Orkney again, despite low visibility due to misty weather.

Summer 2011. Sailing back home 6. From Egersund, Norway to Peterhead, Scotland

Another North Sea crossing, almost 52 hours at sea and this time I was able to do a pleasent night watch.

We left Egersund last saturday morning with southerly winds when we saw the suitable weather forecast for the next few days, otherwise we would be staying in Norway for the winter as more depressions were coming.

First hour was through Nordesundet, a narrow channel, where we enjoyed a lovely typical Norwegian scenery.

Then went out into North Sea in strong, near gale force winds for the next 24 hours , then wind died and we had to motor rest of the way to Peterhead.

Oil platform in the North Sea

Approaching Peterhead, Scotland

Dinghy sailing in Peterhead marina

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