Sailing adventures on a Hallberg Rassy 40 in higher latitudes
In a sheltered cove, surrounded by cliffs and curious seabirds, a tranquil evening turned into a practical day. Steve’s ambitious to-do list included fixing the stove and joining a northern naked bathing club. Despite anchoring challenges, a celebratory dip marked the end. Now, sailing towards Svalbard, they anticipate reaching southern Svalbard in 24 hours.
Navigating the chilly waters towards Bear Island at 74 degrees north, the duo battles exhaustion and irregular sleep during their 3-day journey. Despite fatigue, the allure of encountering whales and dolphins keeps spirits high. Groggy and disoriented, strange eating habits emerge, but Sarah’s adaptation brings hope for a better routine. Anchoring on Bear Island’s southeast side, they anticipate a windless night ahead.
26th June 2023 The last week has involved a lot of thoughts regarding continuing North. As we have done the whole trip motoring, we are now anxious to get the sails up and do some …
24th of June We had a fine day motoring to Tromsø where Steve had put on the “follow the route” function on the autopilot, so sailing without working was taken to a new level. Now …
20th June 2023 As we had arrived a bit late (again) to our destination, we enjoyed another late meal without really realising because of the light. The light this evening was almost pink and gave …
19th June 2023 After our night out in Svolvær we were ready to leave this very touristy town, but first we had to visit North Norwegian Artist centre, which had a really nice exhibition and …
16th June 23 We are really enjoying the landscape in Lofoten and is not in a hurry to get to Tromsø as the wind does not look like a crossing to Svalbard the next week …
In Reine, Sarah’s spontaneous run to Reinebringen’s 1566 stone steps delayed the departure, but a chance meeting with Saphir’s owners eased concerns. Motor sailing to Nusfjord, the shallow harbor added excitement. Disappointed by the closed bakery, a walk through the historic town followed. Evading the coastguard, they anchored, and Sarah’s apple cake lifted spirits for an early start.
Eager to leave Bodø and its harbor struggles, they cherished the town’s culinary delights but lamented the amenities. Adjusting to Sarah’s organized chaos, Steve embraced a more vegetarian diet. Seizing a favorable wind across Vestfjorden, they sailed through Sørvær and reveled in a smooth journey, relishing memories as Lofoten emerged, offering grandiose Norwegian beauty.
Excited by sunny weather, they sailed comfortably, eventually marking the Arctic Circle with a memorable celebration. In Bodø, vibrant nightlife, a unique laundry experience, and a thrilling Saltstraumen rib safari featuring massive whirlpools and close encounters with eagles defined their day. A pizza dinner concluded the energizing day for the continued journey.