Lovely lagoons Part 3 - Lidön Östhamn

This was the tightest anchoring we had ever done. It went well!

Path entry invites to follow to the bakery and restaurant
on the other side of island.

Lovely lagoons Part 2 - Tistronskären

The day we sailed from Rånöhamn to Lidön, that is effectively almost passing the Stockholm archipelago, was super hot. The first mate stated that the crew employment rule is that it is not allowed to sail full day in this kind of temperature without two hours swimming and lunch break. That we did. We sailed past Möja island and anchored in Tistronskär lagun that is kind of last stop before long  outer archipelago leg until the main fairway the Sweden / Finland ferries are using. Could it be lovelier thing than a nice swim from the boat aft in a place like this? At least for the first mate who is swimming enthusiast not many... Also, it is worth noticing that Möja has fishing harbor and is the place where Solsidan's Fredde motored to buy "free range" salmon as Mickan requested in her effort of selecting the most ecologic ingredients for the lunch with her friends.

After this leg we were happy to the distance we had sailed so far and next couple of days were more relaxed with shorter legs. Also, we started to look at suitable weather window for taking the next longer step, that is over Gävle Bukten.

Our good old scruffy genoa has worked like wonders.

Möja.

Lovely lagoons Part 1 - Rånöhamn

From Harstena we sailed past Landsort and did not park in Nynäshamn but a nice bay in the same area. At this point the weather started to get very warm so the crew was excited to get swimming.

In tight anchoring space there is a lot to look after...

Radar can be used to measure the distance to other vessels.

But all was well and we were ready...

... to welcome the July moon.

Company at the sea on our way to Landsort

There was no wind at all when we started at Harstena.

Couple of seals observed our going.

A tanker...

... and an other one.

Birds yet unidentified.

And here are Landsort lighthouses!

Harstena Flisfjärden

After our overnight sailing we spent an afternoon and night anchored in Harstena Flisfjärd. This is very excellent location for situations where you need to make progress in your journey and need still a place to stop. There is a lot of room and location is very practical - it is one of stops closest to the open sea and still it is well protected from all winds. Also, the Harstena village is reachable via nice walk and there is a bakery and small shop were smoked fish is available in case some pentry variability is needed. Two years ago we spent our Midsummer here - the first mate still remembers how he missed the maypole ceremony in the village with only a few hours as she had been wanting to see such proceedings live since her childhood (I suspect that TV series Saariston lapset i.e. Saltkråkan might have something to do with this)...

Following morning me and the crew were well rested, full of energy and eager to continue and our target was to sail beyond Landsort to Stockholm archipelago. This time we would not have time to play around but sail forward with determination. We did so and we also found lovely lagoons close to our route to spent our nights with. However, it appeared very clearly to us that some day we want to spend more time in Stockholm archipelago - one could have full Summer in her use and still could not explore all the islands there is.

The entry happens via small gate formed by cliffs on the both sides.

Achored and situation in control.

Only 3,9 meters? Is it alarming ?

Lot of options to attach oneself to the cliffs.

My first overnight sailing

Leaving Kalmar was very emotional. At the same time we felt already nostalgic but we also felt excited about the new adventures and returning to Höga Kusten that impressed us two years ago on our way to the South. We were eager to get started and as the weather, wind and everything was perfect we decided not to stop at Borgholm but continue over night. That become a 100 nm sailing.

The night was very beautiful and quiet. The moon was full reflecting from the sea surface. It was special to be able to see both sunset and sunrise. We saw one sail boat, one tanker and two planes and that was all the traffic for the night. The crew slept one at a time, the other one sailing and I attended the sleeper down below. 

There was an other first time too: I never come to the cockpit when we sail but I rather sleep down below. This time the sailing was so smooth that I wanted to come to the deck. The crew was very worried about my safety and carefully attended my little exploration.

Goodbye Blå Jungfru!

Hello High Coast!

After ten sailing days we reached Höga Kusten, and this is a happy rendez-vous after two years!

I will elaborate our route in upcoming posts: Kalmar - Harstena - Rånöhamn - Tistronskär - Lidön - Grisslehamn - Öregrund - Skärsö - Agön - Skatan. Many of our stops have been nature harbors strategically located on our route. I like those best - they are typically rich in birds.

Also, of course we travelled first to the vessel from Oulu to Kalmar. That journey we made with train and a ship.

Bay watch

Buoy business

We picked a sheltered bay with SXK buoy, I made the inspection on the attachment, relaxed a bit and entertained with magnificent view of water birds and retreated down below for the day time sleep. Let the rain pour...

Not too hot

Yesterday we left Öregrund and sailed a good leg up to North. During the day the weather changed and the crew replaced adding sun block with layering wool socks and Muhoksen villa garments. So we are back to "normal" ;-)