30/31 October - Yet another last sailing weekend for the season

Well,  we could not resist for another weekend at sea for this season. Temperatures are now getting one digit above zero and days are getting short, with the sun setting few minutes before 16:00. Yet, still very much sunny and enjoyable as long as you arrive in time and switch on the heater for the long evening.

Belisama at Nacka strand, on her way to Satlsjöbaden kanal

This weekend is special as Belisama is meeting for the first time her cousine Cybèle. François and Valérie are on their way back from Norway, six months after having crossed the Göta Kanal.

We plan to meet in Artipelag where we will spend the next two nights. 

This implies that we move from the Mälaren, the western lake side of Stockholm to the sea, on the eastern side of the city. To do this, we need to get three bridges on downtown Stockholm, as well as a lock at Hamarby opened for us. The timing of the lock and the bridges is coordinated, meaning that we can go through in one go, without much waiting.

What remains from the mooring line after having cut it to free Belisama in the lock

On a boat, any situation can become a crisis in a matter of minutes, if not less. In the Hamarby lock, I attempt to tighten the mooring line in order to get Belisama closer to the pier. However, the line gets tangled on the cleat at the time the water is released from the lock, resulting in a 50 centimetre drop of water level. The line attached to the pier soon pulls Belisama up, resulting in a good 15 degree heeling on starboard. Just the time to rush to a good Opinel knife and cut the faulty rope. You can see above what remains from the mooring line. The lesson learnt today is that one need a sharp knife immediately available at any time on a sailing boat!