The Father and Son Team
24 August 2014 | Skotsvika (Scottish Inlet)
Imelda NW4
Sunday 24th of August 2014
Last night, as I was floating into the Dreamtime, I suddenly saw how the Whale Islands were like a 'Sheppsaettning' (Ship Stone Formation) and our boat was anchored at the very heart of it. In the Holy of Holies I fell into deep sleep and deep dreams.
This morning a solitary swan appeared, cruising around the islands.
Next a solitary seagull appeared for breakfast. I think the gulls are used to day trippers bringing picnics! They seem to recognize the signs of humans fixing a meal and hope for some crumbs...
During breakfast in the cockpit I regale the boys with some wilder tales from their early years: the so called 'Baby Clinic Period'! The Health Visitors up the Hill, also known as the Baby Police and their exploits. When Quinn was born in Lewisham Hospital I thought: OK, we have a baby now, take him home and look after him well - but it was NOT as simple as that...
On the VH a Mayday call was sent out regarding a small cruise ship spinning and twirling aimlessly. Nearby ships were asked to investigate (but we were a day's journey away, it was near Arendal, where we were yesterday). I had an image of some boat owner going for a morning swim and some hapless person ashore reporting a possible misadventure... the Coast Guard arriving to Boat Owner's huge embarrassment and the whole thing ending as a good sailor's yarn. Soon another call went out saying that the search has been called off and everything was fine!
We passed through a very scenic and narrow coastal passage called BLINDLEA today. Ulric was waxing lyrical: look at this! Look at that! One of the most beautiful sights in Southern Norway, blablabla.... I got really fed up with it: I would love nothing better than buying a house in a beautiful location in Sweden (as described in an earlier blog) and running a shamanic training centre. Sailing down "The Gold Coast of Norway" doesn't do anything for me, rather than reminding me of the challenges we face at home upon our return...
Brendan was in the cockpit all afternoon. He paid almost no attention to the fancy houses but was deep in the FAR NORTH section of our cruising guide... Checking out harbours and anchorages in Svalbard, at Bear Island and Jan Mayen. The child has got plans!!!
We went for anchor in one place... it wasn't secure enough.... Not enough "drifting space behind the boat" in case a KULING (gale) shows up in the night apparently.... So we moved to another place. Brendan and Dad did a dinghy-trip but returned quite soon - not much to see apparently.
Tomorrow we fly home and I feel more than ready to be in a house, on a non-heeling and solid steady surface, with space for all of us to spread out a little.... And SCHOOL...!!!!
Sailing will never be my thing. The only one who thrives on it, other than Ulric, is Brendan. I see a great sailing future for the Father & Son Team!
However, for myself the immediate wish list contains: a proper hair wash (you can't properly wash, dry and comb waist length hair on a boat), access to my computer so I can write my talk (about Seidr and Norse Shamanism and Sacred Sites in Sweden) for Steiner House and plan the film that Hannah Beadman will shoot of the Time Travelers in September. Plenty to sink my teeth into, once Oma's visit is in the can by Sunday next week.....
I am waiting for Brendan to ask when our family will sail to Spitsbergen (Svalbard).... It's only a matter of hours, I would guess....
And a polar bear hug to my loyal readers (if any....)!
Imelda Almqvist