A little too exciting to sail in the dark

30.06.2024

It rains and rains in the morning, so we take it very easy. Breakfast only at 11 o'clock. The rain eventually calms down, and we take a walk around the city. We look at Marte and Andreas' house and stop by a café. Very cozy little town, where older houses keep popping up in the narrow streets.

The weather forecast has gradually improved, and we find out that we are going to Bornholm tonight anyway. A five-hour trip where the wind should eventually calm down and come in the right direction. The plan is to anchor in Åsand Bugt, where we should be well protected from the westerly wind, and where there is a beautiful beach that we can visit tomorrow.

We bunker diesel and are out at 6:00 PM. Great wind and we motorsail at 8-10 knots. We are also lucky and find a good opening between all the large cargo ships, when we are going to cross the route between Sweden and Bornholm.

It's starting to blow a little more, and not least the wave height is increasing. This means that we have a couple of surfers at over 12 knots, and you really have to concentrate to go right into the waves - no autopilot here.

It is dark when we arrive at the bay where we want to stay. However, we have miscalculated how the waves hit the bay, and we quickly find out that this is not a place to stay for the night. We get out the harbor book and quickly find the nearest harbor to dock at - Allinge. The only problem is that the harbor can be closed if there is too much onshore wind, and that the approach can be difficult to find.

We find the two posts that mark the path in and steer inward at a good speed. There are big waves from the side, so you have to fight to keep the boat on the right course in, while there is a 90 degree turn at the end to get in behind the breakwater. But we manage great, and it's a good feeling to be inside.

We see a Norwegian catamaran lying longside, and we lay next to it. The owner is ready on the boat and helps us moor, so by 11pm we are safely and securely moored and can crawl into our berth.

I think everyone will sleep well tonight, and tomorrow the forecast is for glorious summer weather!