To Lipari, 26-27 May 2023

After spending the night on Stromboli, we headed up to Lipari to explore the main island of the Aeolian archipelago. And we were very impressed with what Lipari had to offer...

To Arbatax, 15 May 2023

Once you have passed the La Maddalena Archipelago Park, you might think that you are about to embark on a long (and possibly boring) ride south along the east coast of Sardegna. This is far from the case, and we found some of the most moving views of the island.

The Castello de la Fava, in Posada

Below are some of these unique spots!

To Porto Cervo, 13 May 2023

The plan was to head south as far as possible today. We departed early, under the rain, as expected. Initially, we had a good back wind pushing us at 7 knots. However, as soon as we passed the Cap Ferro, at the north-east of Sardegna, it started raining like cats and dogs, the wind dropped and started veering in all directions before stabilising right in our nose. We decided to take shelter in the closest marina available, which happened to be Porto Cervo. The resident population is around 420 inhabitants, but it has a particularity: "Porto Cervo has been named one of the most expensive resorts in the world, along as being a luxury yacht magnet and billionaires' playground" as stated on Wikipedia

The Yatch Club Marina of Porto Cervo

So, let's have a look...

How far have we gone in exploring the Baltic? 19 January 2020

After 12 years sailing in the Baltic, the first seven with La MaLouine, un brise de mer 31, and then an OVNI 445 for the past five years, as we are considering moving to the Adriatic sea in the coming year(s), I used the long dull and dark evening of the Swedish winter for entering in Google earth all the routes that we have followed along the 7,OOO nautical miles that we have been sailing in the Baltic with Belisama, since 2015.



And this is how it looks like in the Baltic. The map above includes the intended routes for 2020, which will see us sailing through Latvia and Estonia...

A visit to the ancestors, Birka, 21-23 August 2019

Birka, is considered as the oldest city in Sweden. It was founded around 750 AD and abandoned 250 years later. At the peak of its activity, Birka comprised up to one thousand inhabitants. Birka is located 30 kilometres west of Stockholm on lake Mälaren. It is a popular day excursion from Stockholm. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Birka guest harbour?

Glad sailors in the Glad Salmon place... 21 July 2019

In Swedish, a glad salmon is called a gladalax. In March 2019, as we were preparing for the sailing season already scheduled to take place in the gulf go Bothnia and in Åland, we went to the boat fair called "Alt på sjön", held in Stockholm during the first week of March. There, we passed by the Åland stand and ask the guy handling the stand where should we go while sailing in Åland. He told us, in many places, including mine, the Gladalax marina (60.30392, 20.743668). We connected immediately with a post in the blog of François and Valérie on Cybèle 17, indicating how much they appreciated their stopover in his happy salmon place. The connexion was established, and we ended up there with our fiends Johan and Suzanne...

Johan and Kaja on the way to the Gladalax guest harbour.

Gåsören, 24 June 2019, what else can you expect?

Gåsören is a tiny island off the Skellefteå coast. The lighthouse was built in 1881. The island is a SXK harbour equipped with a buoy just outside the small harbour.

Gåsören, from Belisama drone...

Quiet weekend in Trosa, 25 - 27 May

Trosa is a small town one hour drive out of Stockholm and 4 hours sailing from Nynäshamn. A very relaxing place for a summer weekend after a busy week. Only 5000 inhabitants, but a long history as an important medieval city. Trosa is the entry port to the Sörmlands archipelago coming from southward from the Stockholm archipelago.

Kristiansø - Sassnitz, 9 July 2017

Sixty-two miles to go, waking-up at 5, at sea by 6. No wind until we pass the extremity of Bornholm. A German couple on a X 38 whom we met at Kristiansø is following us and is taking the pictures. Quite rare to see oneself at sea!

Belisama, on engine

Utklippan, coup de coeur, indeed - 6 July 2017

Indeed, Utklippan is an extraordinary experience. We arrived there coming from Karlskrona around 16:30, along with five other boats seeking shelter in the small artificial basin built in the 30s' to provide shelter to local fishermen. We all found a place alongside each other.  

Utklippan, Belisama on the second row on the left...

Angry birds in Själevik - 10 June 2017

Having started our seasonal migration last week, from Nynäshamn to Oskarshamn, this week we had to come from Stockholm on Friday night, after a fantatiskt diner at friend's place, by car. A four hour drive, plus the resting stop on the way. We made it by 2:00 this morning, just in time for a good night.

Shopping for fresh stuff, plus shopping for gaz and other non perishable stuff for the month of June. Leaving by 14:30 for Själevik, for the night, on our way to Kalmar this weekend.

Bird view of Belisama in Självik, through the eyes of our cyclops...

And the spring finally came - 5 June 2017

A small fishing pier on Norra Udde, at the north tip of Öland. Spring has finally arrived, but will be quickly gone. For the time being, full of flowers around here.

Skeppsmaln, 14 July 2016 - 63°11.458'N 19°0.916'E

After a new day under spinnaker, we arrived in Skeppsmaln, a Lilliput village where Gulliver Belisama is quite noticed. By the way, this is the first time I anchored from the back, stern to the jetty with Belisama. The start of a long series.

Nourishing mosquitoes, Kusökalv, Österhamn, 61°3.407'N 17°16.841’E

It is quite rare to have a chance to see your boat while sailing. On the way out from Gävle, we came across "Flocon de mer", an OVNI 395  registered in Cherbourg! What are the odds in the Gulf of Botnia to encounter a French OVNI, within one hundred meters?

Belisama on spinnaker, on her way up north from Gävle. 

Norrtälje gästhamn - 59°45.316'N 18°43.623'E

Norrtälje gästhamn is a small marina at the end of a 8 miles fjord. Well protected, and with a very good restaurant Piren. Buoy to the jetty, >2.6 metres depth.

250 SK for a night, with WIFI and electricity.

Inra hamnskär - 59.734837, 19.319136

Inra hamnskär is one of the last ilets on the eastern way out of the Archipelago. It does not look so well protected on the chart, but offers very good shelter in the small bay on the east, or along the northern part of the shore.

Northern shore of Inra hamnskär

Lidö - 59°46.680'N 19°5.443'E

Lidön is an island part of the Archipelago foundation. The east harbour, Österhamn offers a nice shelter from all winds except E-NE. It is a very popular stop over tor those going to and from Åland and Finland. Often crowded, but the jetty can be used to moore and remains usually free. We tried to anchor twice with no success as there are seaweeds on the sea bed.

Siarö fortet - 59°33.222'N 18°37.474'E

Siarö Fort is located north-east of Stockholm, along the pathway to Finland. On the island there is a café, a youth hostel for around 30 people, a conference room and berths for pleasure boats. Day mooring is free. An overnight charge applies.

Ankarudden - 58°48.020'N 17°50.129'E

Ankarhudden is a nice fishing harbour with a jetty where one can moor, making sure that the pilot and the ferry landing spots are kept free. Alternatively, good anchoring protected from all winds and swell is available south west of the jetty.

Hävringe - 58°36.170'N 17°18.712'E

Hävringe is a really tinny island entered around a beacon dating XVIII century. The harbour has room for three to four guest boats along the pier at the left of the entrance. No facilities except a pit latrine.

Three visitors slots on the pier