Visby to Nynäshamn - 6 August 2017

After having reached Visby last week, we left Belisama at the fiskhamn and took the ferry to be at work for the week. Our friends stayed in Visby in the boat to enjoy the island. By Friday 4 August, we made it back to Visby to get the boat back to Stockholm.

Belisama on her way from Visby to Nynäshamn, 5 August 2017

But this was planned counting on fair weather conditions. Which was not the case... It is always surprising to see how calm the sea looks taken in picture from the big Gotland ferry, when the wind rages over 15m/s!

This was last week when we arrived in the fiskhamn in Visby. Nice welcome rainbow indeed.

Double rainbow at Visby fiskhamn

The Alexander's band is visible between the two rainbows. This is the band of colours looking more saturated than the colour of the sky below the lower rainbow and above the upper one. This phenomenon is related to further deviation of the white light below the lower rainbow and above the upper one. Note that the order of colours of the two rainbows are inverted. 

The initial idea was to leave upon arrival in Visby on Friday 5 by midnight. However, the very strong lateral wind in the fiskhamn would not allow us to get out nicely at this time of the night. Too risky given the overcrowded harbour under gale warning! The following morning, the wind had even gone up, with short breaking waves all over the harbour, and no traffic at all.

We took advantage of this unfriendly weather to visit the cathedral. Another biblical scene depicting Adam and Eve chased from the paradise. Both are looking quite innocent isn't it? After all, why is there such a tempting snake in paradise if the paradise is the perfect creation of God? 

 Followed by a visit to the botanical garden, as nice as in our memories.

Back to the marina, we are asked to move the boat who was alongside an old wooden fishing ship. Under the wind and the weight of Belisama, one of its fenders had blown off along the pier!

The picture does not catch the very strong wind in the harbour!

Moving for moving, at 16:00, I decide to head back alone for the 76 miles to Nynäshamn despite the strong winds. I know that I will find an easy place along side in Nynäshamn. 

Kaja choose to get back by ferry. She will overtake me one hour after I depart. The first part of the trip is under 12 to 14 m/s, with back side wind. Under trinquette and 2 reefs, I sail around 8 knots. Then the winds goes down around 8 to 10 m/s, allowing to safely get the full sails. However, during the night, the wind strengthens to 16 m/s with significant swell. With the center board almost up, Belisama behaves very nicely.

Belisama, from the Gotland ferry. 

I will make it the following morning at 4:30, after having reduced the speed for the last miles in order to wait for the sunrise before entering Nynäshamn, as the winds are still around 12 m/s. I do find the perfect place alongside!