Kristiansand to Risor and places in between.

       Hello fellow travellers on the road through life. Or in our case the rocky road between ports in Norway. we left Kristiansand Tues. morning at 0745 motored out of the harbour after a good nights sleep. We had a nice quiet trip and entered the Blindlea at 0915. Then the fun began. It's a very well marked passage iffff you can find the Marks to start!!! I thought we had as we motored serenly along and made a turn to Port from 85 ft to 8 ft in the blink of an eye good thing we were going slow enough to turn back into deeper water! Found the right route but the stress level hit a new high! Especially after the grounding the other day. We were able to motor sail some of it which was nice for a change. however at the end of the long leads it appeared as if they dead ended as you wouldn't see the chanels until right on them. Some were so narrow that only one boat (didn't matter what size) could transit at a time. Luckily we didn't have to cue up as will happen later in the summer if summer arrives that is. We finally made it through without any damage except my hair got greyer!
      We arrived at Arendal not Eirindal. Tied up on a finger. payed our 300 and went for a walk. Not much to see which surprised us. Showers were an extra 35. didn't have one. As an aside to this missive we resent paying a lot for a slip and then getting nickle and dimed well actually more than nickles and dimes for showeres and internet. Rant over.
       Left Arendal this morning and motored a whole 27 miles to Risor the woodden boat capital of Norway and that must be saying something because we have seen more wood boats here in Norway than anywhere else we have been. Little ones, big ones, old ones,, new ones work ones, pleasure ones, rowing ones, sailing ones and ones that motor or do all three. Good thing there are lots of trees around.
      It was an overcast day when we left and an overcast raining windy day when we arrived! Got the last spot on the outside of the main spine. Not such a good spot as the wake from passing boats makes it almost but not quite unbearable. Even inside boats are bouncing all over the place! One would think that if you have been boating for any length of time you could figure out wake and it's causes. Oh well some people really never learn!
     We did the walk around thinggy after spending an hour tying and retying springs and fenders in an attempt to make the ride much easier. Some success. Treated Sally to an Elk Burger and tyme roasted new potatoes for dinner. Burger was the size of a small elk Elk here are the same as Moose in Canada only not so cute! Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warm. Not placing any bets. Good night