Nine, Departed Reykjavik, Towards the Volcano
We decided to head back to the island of V0iy. What a lovely day it was it was the week end so there were many family's going over on the ferry. One family with their dog had a son playing in a chess tournament. Chess is very big in Iceland since it was where the match was played where the American unseated the Russian champion. The winner ended up emigrating to Iceland.
The view to the west, the snow capped volcano is 80NM away, what a day!
The pier and Reykjavik city in the back ground.
The standing stones were an art installation. The building was at the top of the pier and had a coffee shop lunch spot.
We had our picnic close by this small cave high on the hill.
Had a lovely sail with our pal Arni, the Brokey YC harbour master in Reykjavik.
The next day we headed off to Hafnafjordur, this place has a travel lift, one of the few about Iceland. Lovely sail, getting closer to the volcano and it is from here that we hope to haul and ship the boat.
The erupting volcano, when it finally erupted after much seismic activity that rattled shower doors on us and when it finally went boom we were on board and felt the percussion up through the hull. No one about was stressed, this seems so normal to Icelanders.
Tied up at Hafnafjordur, looking towards the town.
Plans change, we got a favourable quote to ship Kalinka 1 from Iceland to Halifax. They have ships departing weekly so this is what we have opted to do.
Hiring a professional skipper and crew was massively expensive. We have wonderful friends who volunteered but need medical issues to clear up. Noel did not want to sail with a stranger as crew its just too much of a wild card on an open passage. We needed a third as we needed the extra energy and strength. So shipping deck freight is the new plan.
We had to organize haul out, cradle, mast down and then it would be shippable.
The yacht club and slip way
With very low unemployment rate the company that Eimskip suggested for cradle build and shipping preparation was heading into a two week shut down so they were not interested in helping.
Marcus the harbour master was able to get a travel lift team, in place.
Then we had to take out the mast that had not be out in five years. The crane was free to use but we could not do this alone. Marcus helped again he had his buddy Joey come and give us a hand one evening.
Looking aft.
The evening that we were all set to take down the mast Marcus informed us that the lady with the one shipping cradle had changed her mind and would not sell it! This collapsed our house of cards on this whole project. He suggested we winter the boat on a mooring or up on the hard by the harbour.
Neither plans had any appeal to us.
So... back to our amazing pals that would hopefully be able to come for August crossing. So we kept the mast in...not knowing what to do next.
Marcus the harbour master, sailing model boats in heavy wind is tricky.
The harbour master was a massive help. He teaches children sailing and coaches the keen ones to higher levels. The club has many club boats so every evening there is open house sailing. Some evenings targeted to different age groups. It was a place full of energy.
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He had a young sailor's help.
We spoke with the lady with the shipping cradle, she was having a hard time getting launched. 5 times she had been let down by the crane. Finally she got launched, we made her an offer, she declined this via Marcus....we were totally at a loss.
Sarah's boat on the shipping cradle
Noel saw her the next day and calmly asked again. She accepted the offer apologies for the back and forth she was so distracted by launch and all the help she was getting.
So the plan was back in place. Noel suggested she come by the boat the next day and we will pay her. That way she could sleep on her decision and be sure. Thankfully she was happy with the arrangement and we were good to go.
We eat very well in port. Not so "gourmet" when underway.
We celebrated progress with coffee and a sticky bun.
Hafnafjordur was a lovely town
The view from the sauna
Photo taken from under the waterfall.
A very fun day we had. 
We were exhausted, we had undone the rigging in preparation to haul the mast and then did not.
The unsecured rigging rattled against the mast all night is not an environment for sound sleep even when you can turn off your ears. We hauled it the next evening at low tide. This was super late (2300) but with 24hr day light not an issue, with Marcus at the controls and Joey helping all went smoothly.
Now that this was done we had a haul date and all coordinated - Thanks to Marcus. Haul on Thursday after his work day 4PM onto the container deck and cradle. We needed a place to sleep, with the help of the tourist office ladies we managed. Everywhere was fully booked! Eventually we got a room at the Leif Erickson hotel, steps from the cathedral in downtown Reykjavik....then we had to book flights and accommodation in Canada. Busy few days.
Now that this was done we had a haul date and all coordinated - Thanks to Marcus. Haul on Thursday after his work day 4PM onto the container deck and cradle. Eimskip also multiplied their shipping costs x3 and we have no clue how this was justified. What a stressor this whole project has become. We are now so committed UGH!
What to do?
Maintain course and speed....Noel negotiated with Eimskip and they met us half way. The Pint helped this was on the main street.
Marcus with the ladder, Noel by the rudder and Thomas the project manager in front!
I think if we put it down here and push these y things up against it. It will work?
After fiddling around and getting everything right with the cradle. We were all congratulating ourselves on a job well done. Then Sally pointed out that the boat and cradle were crooked on the container! (Insert numerous bad words of your choice here) So,,, Lift the boat shift the cradle with someone watching the stern(back part of boat) and bow(front pointy bit) from a distance until every thing was lined up then lower the boat back into the cradle. At this point we were able to get all the supports in place. Marcus sent the lift and crew away as they were on triple time. We Then started to strap the boat down with ratchet straps.( These are the work of the devil!!) Marcus showed us how to work them and the went off home. We started to strap things down. BUT I couldn't make the *&^ things work Sally was up on the boat looking for secure strong places to attach the straps with about as much success as I was having! We surrendered to the obvious. Sally walked back to the Sailing club to get Marcus (about 3km) They both came back. Him laughing Sally not so much, Me not at all! It took another hour and everything was secured. We drove back to the club called a Taxi.
Very thankfully the travel lift company billed us their estimate and not the actual time.
We had estimated arrival to our hotel arrival at 7PM. We were in the travel lift at 4 PM so this we thought was a reasonable estimate. The Taxi deposited us at the Leif Erickson Hotel. at 2330. The very nice pretty night manager took one look and gave us a bigger room on the 1st floor (basement with windows a ground level).
Exhausted.
Room in Reykjavik
More in the next, join us then.
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