Summer 2010

This summer was a much gentler effort than our trip of 2008. Although we  visited the boat in Denmark in 2009 we were unable to sail. We decided  originally that we wanted to go back to the West Coast of Sweden, as we  felt that there was much more to see there. However, time and other  constraints meant that we didn’t get there, and even had to cancel crew  changes that were to have taken place in Gothenburg.

However, we had a lovely two week sail, basically around Fyn, with a leg up to Samso

Joining us this year for the first time were Phil and Sarah, whom we have known for years going back to  sailing in Enterprises as teenagers.

Our original plan was to sail to Gothenburg via Anholt, and spend some more time amongst the islands of the west coast of Sweden. However, for various reasons it didn’t work out that way, and instead we headed back to Augustenborg. However, we revisited Faaborg, which we always enjoy, and sailed up the east coast of Fyn, visiting harbours new to us. We then went up to Ballen on Samso, which proved interesting: the harbour was already (at least to our minds!) pretty full. There was a storm coming, and lots of boats heading in to the harbour. The harbourmaster stood on the north pier and shouted directions to us, and we shot in towards a space that I wasn’t wholly convinced was big enough for us. It is amazing the amount of help that is offered when you are heading towards a row of boats with a large anchor on your bow! Needless to say we got in to our slot, already rafted six out from the quay, with boats fore and aft of us. Another six had rafted outside us by the time a most spectacular electrical storm arrived, watched by hundreds of yachties all very glad that they were in the harbour and not at sea! We headed south again after Samso, anchoring off Aebelo, a small spit jutting out from the north of Fyn, then made our way through Middlefart and anchored again by one of the islands south of the town. After a pit-stop in Arosund at lunchtime, we headed for an anchorage a few miles away in what we hoped would be a sheltered bay. We tucked ourselves in nicely, and most of the crew went ashore for a walk. But within an hour the wind had gone through 180 degrees, and was blowing about 35 to 40 knots, making our position very precarious on a lee shore. Phil managed to row the girls, separately, back to the boat, and we moved off as soon as we could, looking to the other end of the bay for some protection under some low cliffs. It took us an hour against the wind, but was much more sheltered, although we had to make sure we were clear of fishing nets. We were just beginning to relax when one of the fishermen pottered over. We apologised for being in his way, but he assured us we were not. He told us that he spoke English well, as he had been a lorry driver who had made frequent trips to the UK. The following morning he very kindly provided us with four flatfish for our supper! The following day provided an excellent sail back to Augustenborg, and our rather shortened cruise was at an end. Phil and Sarah flew home from Billund, and we drove home via Esbjerg, having arrange for Professional Yacht Deliveries to take the boat back to Southwold for us. I’ll leave the photos to fill in the rest of the story!: Photos from 2010