To the Winter Harbor - Part 2 - Day in Kemi Guest Marina

To the Winter harbor - Part 1

It happens every year too soon. October gets closer and closer and even it feels like it is perfect for sailing you still need to think about the Winter. Now, last weekend of September after careful weather window watching we decided to start our way to the Winter harbor. First leg was to Kropsu where we arrived in full darkness, only to overnight and as the Sun rose we started our way to Kemi. We knew that the strong wind was approaching from the South and that we needed to keep up minimum 5 knots per hour. First motoring, then sailing, we got to Kemi in decent winds. The heavier weather started only couple of hours after our arrival.

Under Aurora Borealis

We have never before seen Aurora Borealis reflecting from the sea. What an amazing night that was!

Catwalking

What jumped here? A frog?

Yes, it is a frog! The first mate did not allow me to contact with the frog...

Big in Kropsu

Weather forecast for last weekend was very promising and it was really a great weekend. Check out the pics from our weekend at Kropsu, a local island I had never before visited.

First mate brought couple of fine Suillus luteus for me to check. OK.

Top view

Before our changed plans the crew climbed up to the local mountain. 

The guest marina is in the pic, can you find it?

Lessons about life in Häggvik - Part 2 (how to look after a crew member with sprained ankle)

I had a situation to manage. The captain was off to non-nautical duties and away from the vessel. And the first mate was incapacitated, suffering the sprained ankle. This was really the most demanding case I have met during my career as a sea cat indeed. The first mate was lucky because the injury was medium serious case meaning that she could use her right leg even the moving was difficult. However we concentrated resting in the cockpit and keeping the first mate leg in rest position on the pillows. I like hanging around at the bow when moored but now I knew walking was very difficult to the first mate so I decided to stay in the cockpit with her.

Those few days spent waiting for the captain, instead of doing excursions and enjoying rest as planned,  were long days but I managed well to support the first mate and help her taking care of the boat and the daily routines. I looked after her sleep and if there were some noises outside I woke up to check that everything was OK and notified the first mate too. Two Sundsvall boats with very nice crews,  twoSigma and Racoon,  were moored next to our vessel. We learned many new details about sailing in Högä Kusten and I could see the discussions cheered up the first mate.

The captain returned earlier than planned, due to the first mate ankle situation, on Wednesday morning. We could not wait as the weather seemed perfect for the passage to Vaasa archipelago. We prepared as soon we could and off we were for 16 hour sailing to Rönskär! Goodbye Höga Kusten, see you next time!

...

As of early September the ankle improves every day. The biking has started, but no running yet. The first mate is hopeful to start skiing season in time.