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Day 54 Figeholm and Ian's Birthday


We left Björkholmen at around 7am as we had 40 miles to go. I plotted a route to Figeholm which is a challenging sail through numerous narrow and shallow channels. Consequently I decided to go out into the open sea and take advantage of the directness to arrive earlier. However the open sea is not open either and requires some concentration and in addition it is a longer route. The choice of going out was dependant upon re-entering the shallows by midday because around that time the winds pick up and conditions in the open seas are unpleasant when sailing towards the waves.

Almost on cue the wind really picked up and we were an hour behind schedule. We were glad to re-enter the archipelago as no sooner do you enter the shallow waters than the sea calms down. As we were following the route we had to go through a gate no more than 30 feet wide. As we approached we could see the Swedish version on the RNLI storming out and it was clear that we were going to meet right between the posts. The was nothing we could do as we could not move out of the channel with our deep keel so he stopped for a few seconds gave us a wave and then sped off. I think he was only on a training exercise.

When we arrived we had a slightly awkward moment as we were side on to the wind, there were better buoys but I was uncertain of the depth so I decided that with three on board we could do it. We approached Linda hooked the buoy first time , Richard is on the bow and throws the line to a stranger and then… Linda hauled the wrong end of the line in and the stern is not attached to anything. I had to make a rapid retreat and start again. Second attempt, there is a conflict with Linda and me, she wants me to go slowly, but if I go slowly we are blown off.Third attempt, success.

Jolief had started further North and were about two hours behind us and earlier in the day had posted on whatsapp that they were heading for Kiddeholmen. Given the conditions we had seen I took the view that they might not want to go all that way so I posted a message that if they fancied cutting their journey short they could joins us; they did.

It was Ian's birthday and they were due round 7:30pm I booked a table at the local pizzeria but they did not arrive until 8. We were fully prepared and as they arrived we put "Happy Birthday to you - Happy Birthday" by Steve Wonder on a loud speaker and danced them in which brought them some cheer.

We had the pizza and then went back to Jolief for a night cap. A wonderful evening was had and then to bed.

  • Safely tied up... eventually.
  • Richard took this

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