The Westward crossing

Sat. July 4 2015 Fosnavag Norway. Happy Birthday USA.

We spent the day wandering about, Long walk and climb up a mountain for an elusive geo cache and a stupendous view over the harbour.  When we returned to the boat a large ship entered the harbour and tied up hoisted a bunch of flags erected a stage and made ready for a party! So I went to find out what was going on.

It was a brand new shiny paint still drying research ship that was going to be Christened and we could go for a self guided by ourselves tour! Didn’t have to ask twice so up we climbed and up we climbed wandering in and out until we reached the helicopter pad. Walked out on it and looked a way way way down to the water far far below. Went back down a couple of decks to the 360 degree bridge wandered around in there admiring all the equipment and electronics and then made our way to the aft deck where the ROV’s were stored. Looked at them and then left the ship The naming took place at 1600 with a marching band and dignitaries and everything. We returned to kalinka1 had a bite to eat waited for the forcasted drop in and change of direction of the wind and got under way for The Shetland Islands at 2000 hours.

Underway with a Norsk bat Alora with Johnny and Thor (pronounced Yonny and Tura) accompanying us. Started off with a great breeze keeping our speed above 6 knots and sometimes7 knots under double reefed main and ¾ jib.  big seas but going with us so not so bad most of the time except off Statt where they were not so nice but that didn’t last too long.  Had to alter course for a fishing boat and a cruise ship which made things interesting for a while. Sally went down about 2200 and left everything to me!

Sun. July 5 2015somewhere in the North Sea.

0200. Having a way too much fun so woke Sally up. It was her turn anyway! By now the wind haad dropped enough that we had to start the engine genuflected and sang the benediction canted all the right words of appeasement and turned the key,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Vrrroooooommm. I did,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, just to make you all sweat! Engine always started. Hehe got you!!! So we motored most of the way across the North Sea and through the Oil rig forests in the fog. Sometimes heavy sometimes heavier and sometimes sliceable. 0700 my turn again. So up I sprung . Jibed the main and motor sailed through my watch. Sally up at 1230. 1600 I sprung up and at 1630 we had a Sally special for dinner Ground beef Medaly. Finally cleared the rig field about 2300 AIS and Radar really helped here!

Mon. July 6 2015 0000 Somewhere in Scottish waters. Well Actually at 61*07.295’N Lat. 000*27.410’E Lon. Watch change Crossed the prime meridian on Sally’s watch at 0236. Now back on our side of the world and I slept blissfully through it! 0420 shut engine down, 0430 2 reefs! 0640 engine on 0700 Balta Sound 0800 anchored!  217 miles 27.7 hours on the engine  36 hours from cast off to anchor down. Had oatmeal breakfast and then slept the sleep of the innocent through a dull windy day. So ends this chapter.