Sea report

I have been back to normal routine of life on land for two weeks, back from the sea. As always, it takes time to get used to the change from excitement of the new and inspiring marinas and moorings to uneventfulness of city life in my apartment. Fortunately, there are still summer weekends left to go spend outdoors. Most of the mosquitoes and black flies are gone so I can extend my outings to my own preference, without the annoyance of the black flies entering the non-furry part of my ears and biting painfully.

I want to share the sailing itinerary with you, and later I will return with the most interesting details.

We started at Mustakari in Kokkola where we had sailed the vessel already earlier. Thanks to the friend who helped us with the weekend sailing from Oulu to Kokkola! It took an18 hours long sailing day from Marjaniemi to Mustakari including of course the shorter leg from Oulu to Marjaniemi. The summer sailing route was like this: Mustakari, Tankar, Bjuröklubb, Ratan, Mässkär, Tankar, Raahe, Marjaniemi and back to home at Oulu. 

Weather was not as bad as last year: first part of the sailing it was very hot with light winds and the second part was stormy. The hot weather ended just before it was about to become too uncomfortable. You know, my fur is not made for 30C temperatures, really ... Even the crew with less developed fur started to complain.  

The strong northern winds and the powerful waves kept us in the marina for several days. However, this was really not bad as we had been guided in Mustakari that Ratan is well protected from all the winds and has all what is needed for an extended stay. The days in Ratan turned out to be best part of the sailing. I will report in detail!  

What are you wearing today?

Or maybe more accurate question is that why I am wearing clothes?

In the news there was recommendation for the dogs to keep their coats wet to manage it in this abnormal heatwave. Fortunately, the first mate did not implement this instruction on me but rather tried to cover me with some washed and still moist clothes. First I was thinking what the heck this is about but very soon I noticed the cooling effect and enjoyed it.

2nd leg of our trip to the Vessel

Sleeping outside

A new thing this summer is sleeping outside, under the spray hood. If something worth of interest happens in the perimeter I can wake up and check the situation immediately. I like to lay on a moist towel, cotton or linen works well - the crew does not understand why I prefer a moist one but I have explained to them that this is a feline thing and out of their comprehension. 

Family news

My brother Tuiskutassun Hulivili, http://sipsun.net/urokset/tuiskutassun-hulivili/,  has started a family. Congratulations!

I plan to concentrate to my career as a sea cat for now. But who knows, some day I may meet a lovely lady who changes my mind ;-)

Shipping

Oh, how relaxing was the trip from Stockholm to Turku... However I had some responsibilities to take care: The wind of N 15 m/s caused the first mate to wake up and be afraid. I had to stay awake with her  until the ship reached Åland archipelago and the waves calmed.

Fall thoughts after a few weeks on land

I have now told you about my journey from Kokkola to Kalmar. So far longest sailing in my career as a sea cat.  This sailing was very meaningful me. It really showed that I am a capable sea cat. Coming back I am much stronger, more confident and of course more handsome. One might think that sailing is about sitting onboard and quite sedate activity but it really is not. I feel and look much stronger. I think I even got some new length centimeters - the first mate thinks that this is about healthy sea air! After returning I also have different attitude towards new places - I enjoy them and just take over them like siberian cats do! And my coat - it is shiny and soft. 

From Kalmar we had to return to Oulu. It was an adventure itself. Trains and a bigger boat or actually a ship was involved. I will tell you more about this transition and then I open up my blogging plans for the fall and winter. 

Life vest

I like to go out from the boat to piers. My crew has made me to wear this safety equipment. I think it looks professional. But it hinders a bit if I want for security reasons to crawl carefully before I have taken over a new pier. 

What do you think? How do I look like in it?

PS There is a secret to this safety vest, it is meant for dogs which is a bit embarrassing...  Please do not tell anyone.

Navigational Aid

Route planning is important.

I overlook the process and guide the crew.

One can do it with grace and elegance.

Status update from Baltic Sea

Today I just wanted to let you know that when I was checking out this new marina a fellow sailor told me that I, the kissekat as the locals call me, look like a tiger, yes, tiger! Isn't that cool! I have been said several times to remind a lynx but a tiger is far more bigger! Check out the last picture from today, I do look powerful and handsome.

Oh, the crew wanted to add that we have today sailed beyond Landsort. This means that we are now on Baltic Sea, away from our home waters Bothnian Bay and Bothnian Sea. Hefty!

This morning I woke up the crew before sunrise. 

Landsort behind us.

Me. ;-)

Let me finish my Caviar

I am not into crew foods too much - organic chicken and some stinky cheeses being the exception (I should eat more often raw meat says the first mate). However I made a new finding, a roe in a tube that the crew spreads on their breakfast bread. I know, I know,  there is too much salt to it. But I just taste a tiny little piece...

What a delicacy is this?  

Hmm, I like the smell.

Captain, I would like to taste it!

Counting days

This is last week for the crew in their daily non-sea activity and they will be in my service 24/7 for few upcoming weeks. 

I have waited for this - to have the crew available and start the sailing.

My favorite new vantage point in the cockpit. I can see but I cannot be seen ;-)

Exercising in the Vessel

A reader has inquired how do I take care of my physique in the vessel circumstances. Here I want to share an example of my activities. In the pics I train with my "cat-o-pipe" and "beeb-beeb-birdie".

Prowling...

Go!

Some air!

For crew I do not recommend this kind of demanding exercises. Their limited capabilities can be improved with a set like this; it could be performed even in limited space down below:
http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/workout-detail/Standing-Abdominal-Workout-34-Minute-Cardio-Core/ai/

Cool & Confident & 2 Years Old

Today is my 2nd Birthday! 

I have met a colleague!

As we arrived at Mustakari for the weekend I met a sea cat colleague, Jussi. We both were a bit shy and I believe this kind of rare event may confuse even the most seasoned seagoers. Jussi is a sacred birman and leads this super-beautiful vessel. I hope my photographer gets a shot of Jussi himself so that I can share it with you. Meanwhile you can admire his ship!

Tern Temptation

Geese Galore

Happy Midsummer! Hyvää Juhannusta!

This picture is from the last Midsummer, from one of my very first visit to the vessel at home marina in Oulu. See how young I look like ;-) 

Weekend Weather 2 - Pouring Rain

As you can see I had quite extreme conditions to work on the deck last weekend. And working hard was on the agenda; the bird availability was just excellent and I was super-busy. I will post more examples on that. 

The Midsummer weather forecast forecasts sailing. I am ready for some serious island life.  

Weekend Weather 1 - Sun Sparkle