| Bjarne at the helm, big waves |
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| Starting to cross |
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| Still fairly calm |
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| Bjarne at the helm |
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| Crew keeping horizon in sight |
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| Half way over in Finnish waters |
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| Sofia at the helm |
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| Crew holding on |
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| Ferry from Mariehamn |
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| Docked between rocks |
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| Welcome drink on the rocks |
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| Fabulous dinner |
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| Evening view |
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| Where we actually are |
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| Morning view with more boats |
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| From high above |
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| Just beautiful |
Lorena and I had checked the harbour possibilities on the south coast of Åland in advance and except Mariehamn either west or east only found 3 other possibilities. Two of them so far west that if we went there also Friday the last day would need more than 5 hours on the water. So our goal was to reach a natural harbour 10 sm still to go afterwards to Mariehamn east harbour.
Well all that explained the strong wind yesterday from north east was not exactly helping us getting there. We left Arholma after getting gas and filling up on water after waiting for another boat to finish. Suddenly a motor boat tried to take my place in line. I loudly called them into line!
After setting sails and noticing that the wind increased and did not shift to east as predicted we just keep our course 44 degrees north which became 76 degrees when we had reached Ålands coast. This wind direction meant we hit our highest speed 6,8 knots but also needed to reduce sails a few times. Also Ålands hav an open water let the waves build up to a rocky ride with a few sprays that reached the helm. But all in all great sailing no real threat all still in the manageable area.
But my crew got all cuddled up keeping the horizon steady to not get sea sick. That worked until Lorena towards the end used the toilet and returned green.
Bjarne, I and auto pilot Alfons exchanged the helm. Also when we reached the coast we needed to figure out how far west we had landed. Here Bjarne also able to read sea charts was a great help. We were just in reach of one of the harbours Lorena and I had excluded. Since we all were tired and hadn't eaten much I asked all if we should change plans and go into this harbour instead. After a discussion of pros and cons Lorena and Rainer voted to go on. At 20 o'clock we were safely docked between rocks in the harbour and had 41 sm under our belt, very impressive and that in 8,5 hours traveling time!
Our maneuver in the natural harbour first failed because we choose a spot even if it was marked On in my book that was to shallow. Since the ground is sand it was a smooth grounding and quickly recoverd from by pulling us out by the anchor. Another sailboat in the harbour turns out exactly a copy of our boat directs us to a spot next to them between rocks. Here all worked out except some miscommunication because we all were tired.
Our docking between rocks just amaze me, have only seen pictures of that before and now we are doing it!
Lorena and Rainer regained their strength after being docked and used their magic to create a wonderful dinner for us!
I am very lucky to have support from Bjarne and such a great brave crew.
Today we only have a short passage to Mariehamn east!
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