Belisama crew got invited on Cybele 17 for a ten day cruise, from Tromsø to Svolvær. A fantastiskt experience in the late boreal summer. The picture below represents the Fisherman's wife at the entrance of the harbour in Svolvær. A good summary of the ten days: contrasted lights, amazing clouds, impressive landscape and lots of emotions...
Let's get back to the beginning. Here is the itinerary:
From Tromsø to Svolvær
16 September, Tromsø to Sommarøy
I joined Cybele 17 in Tromsø, on her way back from the Spitzberg islands. So funny to become crew on the same boat where I am used to be captain, and so comfortable!
Cybele 17 in Tromsø marina
On 16 September, we cruised from Tromsø to Sommarøy passing along the island that inspired the architect of the Tromsø cathedral.
Mooring alongside the communal free pontoon in Sommarøy.
Sommarøy communal pontoon.
Below is a video summary for 16 September...
17 September, Sommarøy to Hamn I Senja
Leaving Sommarøy and heading south with limited wind.
Heading south...
Valérie enjoying the ride to Hamn I Senja.
François, enjoying the ride to Hamn I Senja.
Cybele 17 enjoying the ride to Senja.
Valérie in charge!
Impressive landscapes.
The passage below was quite impressive for me. Sailing in the Baltic for the past 15 years, I have forgotten dealing with tide and currents. To reach Hamn I Senja, we had to pass by such shallow transparent waters. However, the picture below is not about the water, but about the Spade anchor. You can see how the paint has been challenged by keeping Cybele 17 steady this season in Svalbard and Northern Norway. Valérie and François are dithyrambic about it.
Approaching Hamn I Senja.
The picture below represents François in Hamn I Senja, advertising for the Le Glazik trousers. Only a Le Glazik trouser can give this touch of colour on the pictures! Funnilly, we both had the same Le Glazik trousers. By chance?
On day three, we went from Hamn I Senja to Bjarkøya. Very impressive landscape in an unstable weather situation. Quite an experience for a cloud hunter!
An impressive tooth
One of the only boats we will see on this day.
Below is François in his Helly Hansen working gear suit. I am mentioning it because Valérie and François indicated how satisfied they are with these suits that cost a fraction of the average sailing suits. Water tight, breathable, comfortable, warm... This will be the first buy I will make then I am back to Stockholm.
François advertising for Helly Hansen working gear...
A small arcus cloud approaching from starboard
Valérie manoeuvering
The lasso technique to catch a pontoon cleat by François.
Video summary for 18 September:
19 September, Bjarkøya to Risøhamnen
Departing from Bjarkøya to Risøhamnen.
The cormorants occupying buoys and poles, like everywhere in the world!
Video summary for 19 September
20 & 21 September, Risøyhamn
The Hurtigrutten, a legend!
We got stranded in Risøyhamn by the arrival of the hurricanes from the east coast of the USA after they crossed the Atlantic. We used the time to visit Andenes.
On the way to Andenes
On the way to Andenes
Video summary for 20 & 21 September
22 September, Risøhamnen - Svolvær
On 22 September, in the eye in the storm, we find a window to move from Risøhamnen to Svolvær. We have to depart at 4:00 in the morning in order to arrive before the back edge of the storm.
Departing 4:00 from Risøhamnen, in the eye of the storm.
Sailing at dawn
Passing the Tengelfjord bridge.
Entering the Trollfjord
Falling rocks... in the sea!
To the pontoon in the Trollfjord...
This area is hosting lots of eagles. You can even see them at time on the top of the sea marks, just like cormorants. See the beautiful picture of eagle on the Cybele 17 blog!
Video summary for 22 September.
What I learnt from my week on Cybele 17:
How to catch a cleat on a pontoon from the boat
To prepare the bow and stern mooring lines and bring their extremity to the middle of the boat so that the one jumping to the pontoon can catch them after attaching the middle line
The extensive use of the iPad to complement the chart plotter while navigating
New weather sites such as Windy, providing an extensive view at forecasting with amazing representations
The technique for optimising speed when dealing with front current in a fjord, based on extensive experience gained in the Golf du Morbihan
Looking forward for François to post these techniques as I am sure that many would benefit from his experience.
Woww! very nice!thanks a lot, and thanks also for sharing your experience with us!>See you later to do it again.François
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