I wish that big low would hurry up and disappear . . .

[Nick]

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Thursday 8th July 2010-06-19

Woke to sunshine and a bag of fresh rolls and a newspaper under the sprayhood. Checked the gribs again plus the Norwegian coastal forecast for Fedje to Statt and decided that F6-7 from behind in sheltered waters would be fine. Normally I am sure it would be but . . .

The first hour or so running North was great, an excellent sail with the full genoa and no main, making anything from five to six and a half knots. We turned NE into Froysjoen, the funnel leading into the narow Hornelen-guarded passage round the East end of Bremangerland, and the fun started. It got very gusty, then we were hit by one gust that must have been well over forty and maybe fifty knots. The boat took off, reaching 8.3 knots before I managed to furl the genoa down to about a no.3 jib. This was still plenty in the gusts, when we were reaching over six and a half knots even with just this scrap of sail. The nearer we got to Hornelen the longer and more severe the gusts got. I was seriously considering the option of bare poles when my mobile rang – it was Companies House wanting to discuss problems with our web filing submission of the annual return. We had a very brief conversation,

Just as we were about to round the Easternmost point of the island we were hit by a monumental and sustained gust so strong that the boat rounded up and lay over beam on to the wind heading for the cliff face less than one hundred metres away. The wind was screaming, and so was I – mostly for Kathy to pass me the engine key. The Beta fired up and with full throttle I managed to round up head to wind. One of the disadvantages of the Sailspar continuous line headsail reefing system is that when rolling the reefed genoa away completely it is very difficult to prevent the whole sail unfurling first, which of course it did on this occasion. Adrenaline helped tame the thrashing monster and its whipping sheets, and we turned back downwind to shoot through the gap with the engine at low revs and the boat making nearly seven knots under bare poles.

Under the 3,000ft cliffs of the Hornelen the flat water was whipped into a mass of frothing wavelets and spray, with a sustained thirty five knots or more and a relentless battering from stronger gusts. Willywillys spun past, spray rising in a circular pattern vertically from the water, while halliards thrashed dementedly against the mast. Finally we were through the worst and heading across the head of Nordfjord towards Maloy. It was still gusty with the wind swinging around from close hauled to dead aft, so the engine stayed on and the sails stayed down for the last three or four miles even though we could probably have sailed.

So – F6-7 downwind in sheltered water yes, great – but if your route takes you down a steep-sided fjord then under a 3,000ft vertical mountain be prepared for some serious entertainment.

Arriving in Maloy the wind was still strong and gusty and I bravely attempted to berth against a short upwind finger. The gap was too wide and Kathy failed to disembark. I engaged reverse and went hard astern, neglecting to notice that Kathy had handed the bow line to a Dutchman who was now in danger of being pulled into the water. Instead of reversing smartly out for a second attempt, with the bow held the stern swung across onto the downwind finger, threatening to damage the windvane, so I jumped off onto the pontoon to hold the stern off. Kathy had stepped off by then, leaving no-one on the boat. She hastily re-embarked and got a stern line to someone else, then she jumped off again and the two of them crouched on the wobbly sinking little finger trying to pull the boat in (no cleat, just a loop) while the Dutchman – who couldn’t see the peril the Navik was in and did not understand why I was on the opposite pontoon and not on board – quite rightly pointed out that it would be much easier for me to pull the line in from the boat.

Eventually the boat was safe with no harm done and we settled down with a well-earned beer. We had a short wander round Maloy –which has a more prosperous air than Floro, with lots of shops – and returned to the boat to set snubbers and make tea – no fish today, fishing is a waste of time over six knots.

The wind does not look like going down enough to go round Statt until Saturday – a maximum wave height of seven metres is forecast there this evening – so it looks like another rest day tomorrow. Kathy says she does not want to go on a bus trip.


(also added to blog)

[Aja]

Nick

What! No photos?

Regards
Donald

[JackJ]

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Thursday 8th July 2010-06-19
It got very gusty, then we were hit by one gust that must have been well over forty and maybe fifty knots. The boat took off, reaching 8.3 knots before I managed to furl the genoa down to about a no.3 jib. This was still plenty in the gusts, when we were reaching over six and a half knots even with just this scrap of sail. The nearer we got to Hornelen the longer and more severe the gusts got. I was seriously considering the option of bare poles when my mobile rang – it was Companies House (also added to blog)

I've read your blog with close interest Nick.
BUT
If sailing conditions were really so severely challenging at that moment, as you so vividly describe, Nick, I cannot imagine why you answered your phone! Surely you should have ignored it for the sake of yours and Garredfox's safety.
What do you think Claysie?
JJ

[Nick]

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It was Garredfox who answered it - as any well-trained company secretary would. I have been known to fix clients websites in the middle of a thunderstorm in the Irish Sea before now.

Beautiful day here in Alesund today.

[Arghiro]

It's blowing a houley in Orkney this afternoon, 40mph plus at Pierowall, Westray. Forecast is better for tomorrow tho'

[claymore]

Companies House
Wait while TCM picks this one up.....

[Nick]

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Having looked at the gribs for the next week it looks likely we will be applying for Norwegian residence before long, which will I am sure cause further grief at Companies House. Being an international business tycoon does have its drawbacks at times. I am sure Matt will be most understanding and will no doubt offer me more of his unstintingly given business and lifestyle tips to help out in these troubled times.

Kept awake most of the night by the latest in a series of mini-gales focussed tightly on this boat. Last one blew most of Friday night before we left Maloy. Saturday night would have been restful if it wasn't for the rowdy party on the big Fairline and if we hadn't had to get up to let someone out from inside us early yesterday morning. This morning it started blowing a hoolie at half past three. Off on a bus trip to the fjords now - I doubt it will be an expensive snooze.

[claymore]

Nick
I am becoming increasingly concerned for your welfare. By now the Pack Ice will have formed in Tromso and will be heading with increasing velocity southwards. It will not be long before it has reached Balvicar and yet there is no word of your planned return.

Norwegian Citizenship does have its advantages - particularly if you reside in a ski-resort. Perhaps you will factor this into your thinking?

In changing your name - which you will almost certainly have to do in order to be accepted - Bodil seems appropriate for ra Missus and I have long thought of you as something of a Waldemar kind of character.
Hope that helps.
xx