When You're In A Hole

Our original plan had been to leave Lerwick and do 4 nights to the Lofotens, spend some time there then wend our way south. However, after night one in the freezing cold and no wind we canned that plan and decided to just wend our way north.

The issue with this plan is that we have a wedding and have to be home by 15th July.

So, we're in this hole. Our heading north hole and when we should be thinking about turning around and wending our way south, we keep digging. We were going to bin it at Kristiansund but instead had a 8-10 knot sleigh ride to a wee place called Kongshaven. Just a pontoon off a small "executive" caravan come summer home park.

Today, it dawned bright and sunny so, shovels in hand, we binned out plan to stop at Trondheim and here we are, digging our way north heading for Rorvik and if the wind holds, the Arctic Circle. If we can make that we may call it a day and turn around. However, from there, its only a few days to the Lofotens and "mission accomplished".

Meanwhile, we are threading our way north through the rock strewn but fortunately well marked channels and fjords. For those that know Tinkers Hole or the narrows at the Kyles, its like that all day.

We've ducked out of one channel thinking that's just too tight only to see the Hurtibat, the express ferry thunder through at 35 knots.

The eagles are out now and we see them circling above the islands and anchorages.. Last night Sam the Eagle was after some gull chicks so there was a bit of aerial combat between the mobbing parents and Sam.

Kongshaven was the first place we've been to with some life. The cafe cum pub was open and, what's more there were people in it. I think these were the first of the summer visitors as few of the vans had there first grass cutting of the year.

Tonight we are in Blindvagen, a small marina at the end of a small fjord, (only five miles long) and totally enclosed amongst the rocks. It really is quite stunning, set amongst 200 metre cliffs and tight in amongst the rocks and islands. We had thought it was a really tight entrance, twisting round the headlands and cutting through the gaps...... then the Hurtigrut boat came through!

Same as last night, is marina is only just emerging from winter. The "clubhouse" still has the chairs stacked on the tables and there's not much sign of life although the adjoining restaurant is open and there's folks on the deck enjoying, no doubt, an excruciatingly expensive meal.

It's also getting warmer and it is finally possible to sit in the cockpit and have a cocktail without getting frozen. Summer is coming but up here, it must be really short.

The pilot books are excellent and very accurate so route planning is strait forward. Pilotage through the hundreds of rocks and perches keeps it entertaining. Certainly, no time for switching off.

So, in another warm, blue sky day we've just cruised another 30 or so miles north at 6 knots with full sail in a gentle westerly..... just digging that hole!

PS. just when you thought you were finally getting some miles in you pass a replica Viking longship. One square sail hoisted up a single mast.... heading 300 degrees and the only place 300 from here is Iceland, 620 miles away!