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.