Everything from here is south!

Everything from here is South!

                So yesterday we pulled into Skattora tied up next to our friends had a great visit and a good nights sleep. Today Sunday June 07/15. Slept in a little. Had a nice breakfast helped Kevin remove his headstay foil. And then at 1430 we said our see you laters and set our course South.

                We motor sailed into a South West wind and through the Rystraumen against the current and turned in and moored on a float behind the Island. There was a German boat there (Timbuktu) Michael the skipper and Sally went ashore looking for Musox! They didn’t find any! I stayed behind and got caught up on some chores.

                Monday June 8. We got underway at 0930 “Ya Ya” I know late! But as we were leaving a Muskox walked out of the trees to watch us leave! I guess I should have went with the nimrods yesterday and showed them how to sneak up on critters. Anyway we can now cross Muskox off our to see list. So we takked down the fjord in the rain and cold and arrived at our destination Finnsnes only to find the Guest pontoon full! @#$#@%^&$%. We managed to squeeze into the last 15 feet of usable space overhanging the end by 20 feet and too far from the hydro post!  Met a Norwegian. (so what you think,the country is full of them so what’s the big deal) This one was Grey and Black and had a bushy curly tail! I want another one!

                Tuesday June 9 0845 we got underway! Cold wet not so nice. We bucked a headwind  that I though should move to our beam once we turned the corner a little further South. Boy was I wrong!!( I am sometimes you know and I’ll even admit it! ) Executive decision to take a short cut wrong again (@#$# twice in one day oh oh) The wind moved right around with us and then got stronger! About 25 on the nose steep short waves But it has to change right? It did as we were exiting the sound. Went too 35 and stopped us cold! Said phooey and turned around at 1400 and immediately went to 7.1 knots and 3 ½ hours later we were right back in Finnsnes! Only this time we had lots of space so we tied up right next to the power pole plugged the heater in and heat! ( You thought I was going to say It didn’t work wer’nt you?)

                Wed. June 10. Still here. Got up at 0700 No wind from anywhere! Let’s leave before it wakes up! Put the kettle on Mabel!  Had a cupatea. And at 0800.

NO MORE PROPANE!!!

                I just figured NO MORE PROPANE  deserved a paragraph all it’s own.

 Used the single burner stove that we have for just such emergencies had some more tea and walked up to the Best Marine store to see if they could help us find some gas. Well the owner said Sure I’ll meet you on the dock and drive you to my Brothers place they can fill the bottle I think?  So that’s what we did. Sally stayed behind to do the womans work I went for a van ride. Saw the brother . Who took a look and said,” hmmm can’t! “This was in Norsk with three men discussing it. “But” He said. I know who can and I’m going there on a job and I’ll take the bottle with me and bring it back this afternoon .

 Phooey I said to myself another day not in paradise! Not likely!! What I did say was HALLALLLUUUYYYYAAA!!!!! Who cares about another day I’ll! We’ll be able to eat!!! Got a ride back to the boat told Sally the good news. Got a BIG hug and off we went for a walk in the rain up to the sentrum for a kafe and sticky bun.

I forgot to mention in the morning just as all this was beginning to happen A guy walks down the dock and askes us how long we were going to be there? The rest of the day says I. “could you move?” says he. “Why” says I(and yes I was polite) “We’re bringing in 3 boats for a showing”” OK maybe” says I then I got the look. Every male in the world knows the look so I won’t describe it. I moved and rafted along side an old rescue boat.

The propane showed up in the afternoon re stowed the bottle hooked everything up lit a match and checked all the connections no boom so everything OK made a cup of tea. Still raining! Think maybe someone should tell the big guy that he has a leak in the plumming! Wasn’t wet enough so went for a shower. It didn’t work and they wanted an arm and a leg anyway but I was still a little upset.

Thurs June 11. Underway at 0630 no wind! Got down around the corner was able to beat until we got out into open water and then sailed across in heavy seas  to Engen. Tied up had a hot meal  looked at the chart and decided to head for a small anchorage at Grasholmen. Put a reef in the main beat out around the corner and headed South putting the wind on the beam for a starboard tack and viola in the goodness of time we arrived. I tell ya the anchorage sure looked bigger on the chart! There was room for us, two ducks 4 seagulls 1 puffin and a tur. We anchored. Good night!