The Blindleia and a Walk Ashore

In spite of the rock strewn islets and skerries that abound in this part of Norway, we held our breath and followed the locals into the Blindleia, a natural canal that runs inside for a dozen miles through tight little passes between the islands. It is well marked and our Navionics Chartplotter program has been very accurate and up to date, so it was not as scary as it looked when reviewing the chart.  We anchored on the NW tip of Justoya in a wooded cove that reminded Nancy of Still Pond on the Chesapeake Bay - except there were only 4 sailboats at anchor, and 6 powerboats tied up to a huge rock.  The water was 35 feet deep and crystal clear.  Immediately we were greeted by swans.  A short dinghy ride to the shore and a scramble up some rocks led us to a trail that we walked, over towards Brekkesto.  Here are some pictures:

 Pretty traffic in the Blindleia

 Traditional Norwegian mooring, tied up to pitons hammered into the rocks!

 Beggin' for a treat

 Beginning our walk across to Brekkesto

 Wild raspberries were a delightful treat on breakfast cereal

After another terrific downwind sail we picked our way through to the mouth of Tvedestrand Fjord, and then motored a few miles to the town of Tvedestrand at the head of the Fjord.  And now we are beginning to look for good winds to sail the 75 miles to Denmark……our fingers are crossed, it looks like Wednesday will bring us South Westerlies for a beam reach!   Norway has been a wonderful experience, with scenery even beyond our high expectations.

Our very best,

John and Nancy

Fresh Crabs, Cod and Magic Scenery

It’s August 3^rd and we are enjoying the little town at the top of Tvedestrand Fjord.  For the last week we have hopped Eastwards exploring  towns and tiny villages and enjoying lovely downwind sailing.  Our first stop was just at the bottom of Flekkefjord on the island of Hidra: there nestles Rasvag, a picturesque tiny village with pristine homes and friendly people with gifts of crabs.  Here are some pictures:

Fish farming - mainly salmon, is big business in Norway

 Here we are in 400 feet of water!

 Motoring through the bottom of Flekkefjord

 Rasvag has an entrance about 22 feet wide!....

 ...which gave us about 4 feet clearance!

 Alongside a friendly visitors' quay

 The house across from our bow is on its own little island......

 ...and the locals all row traditional wooden craft out to their homes

 Rasvag from up the hill, with Adventuress center on the dock

 A local family stopped by for a chat and gave us 7 fresh crabs for dinner! What a treat....

 ....and the red house on the quayside is their family summer home.

We then sailed to the town of Farsund and stayed in our slip while it rained. 

The next morning we left in the rain and sailed to Mandal, where we found a berth on the quayside directly in front of the fish shop.  That evening, John made the best cod dinner I ever ate!  Then we enjoyed a lovely downwind sail to School House Bay, on Gamle Hellesund Island, and were finally able to find a cove shallow enough to anchor.  In the evening we were entertained by the haunting melodies of a Saxophone, and the next morning a local stopped by and told us that a professional musician lived in the charming cottage opposite us ashore.  We also learned that we could take our dinghy to the tiny stone dock around the corner, and visit the one-room school house where his great grandmother and grandmother went to school. 

 Leaving Mandal

 Anchored in Schoolhouse Bay, Gamle

 The former Little School House, with stone docks: the children used to row themselves to school!

 Pic through the window: there are twelve double desks and very hard wooden chairs!

Nancy explores the path from the stone dock to the Schoolhouse

Many of the homes in the small villages and on islands have been passed through several generations and are second homes for some lucky people. 

Having fun in Norway!

Our very best,

John and Nancy