Day 42 Leaving Helsinki
The best laid plans of mice and men as they say, we were just about the last to leave after a last minute shop in the market!
We left the fleet last of all but planned to go outside to cover a lot of the distance on one day so that the next three days could be short journeys with a decent amount of time ashore exploring.
Well that didn't work, we fiddled our way through the maze of rocks and islands only to eventually get "offshore", it isn't really offshore in Finland until you are miles away so there is the every present danger of unexpected rocks. I had been concentrating for hours and Linda took the helm so I went for a break, sadly after 30 minutes I was awoken as the winds had not only increased but were now on the nose and very little progress was being made.
In short order I decided to re-trace our last seven miles back inshore and to a local marina called Jaakoshamn. It took surprisingly little time to get out of the waves as we were no going with them and very soon, 20-25 minutes we were in protected waters and so the sea state was calmer still.
We approached the marina and I gave clear instructions as to who was to do what and the marina owner helpfully came out to take our lines. I have taken a great photo of the boat safely tied to the end of the pontoon secured by a stern buoy which Linda attached to the boat really well first time. We looked like experts.
I went ashore to check out the facilities and food the there was a restaurant, bar and Sauna. I paid the bill and booked the Sauna (wood burning) for an hour. On my way back to the boat I was collared by a table full of Finns who were very keen to know who we were and where we came from and would we join them for a drink. I could not say no but I had to get back tot he boat as Linda was making canapés. Too late, however I explained that we had to go so we did. We also decided that we are not yet ready for a family sauna, so Richard and Charlotte took the first 30 minutes.
The people were lovely and were genuinely interested in our journey and our "huge" boat. So much so that they invited themselves on board for a look, it was ok after all they had just bought us a drink and they says a lot if you see the prices here.
Richard and Charlotte had their 30 minutes and texted us to grab our towels and that they would be out by the time we arrived. It was a mistake, we should have had the hour to ourselves. Linda loved it, the wood burning stove made it different to a normal sauna which Linda does not like.
After the sauna we ate at the restaurant where the food was ok but nothing to write home about so I won't.
We left the fleet last of all but planned to go outside to cover a lot of the distance on one day so that the next three days could be short journeys with a decent amount of time ashore exploring.
Well that didn't work, we fiddled our way through the maze of rocks and islands only to eventually get "offshore", it isn't really offshore in Finland until you are miles away so there is the every present danger of unexpected rocks. I had been concentrating for hours and Linda took the helm so I went for a break, sadly after 30 minutes I was awoken as the winds had not only increased but were now on the nose and very little progress was being made.
In short order I decided to re-trace our last seven miles back inshore and to a local marina called Jaakoshamn. It took surprisingly little time to get out of the waves as we were no going with them and very soon, 20-25 minutes we were in protected waters and so the sea state was calmer still.
We approached the marina and I gave clear instructions as to who was to do what and the marina owner helpfully came out to take our lines. I have taken a great photo of the boat safely tied to the end of the pontoon secured by a stern buoy which Linda attached to the boat really well first time. We looked like experts.
I went ashore to check out the facilities and food the there was a restaurant, bar and Sauna. I paid the bill and booked the Sauna (wood burning) for an hour. On my way back to the boat I was collared by a table full of Finns who were very keen to know who we were and where we came from and would we join them for a drink. I could not say no but I had to get back tot he boat as Linda was making canapés. Too late, however I explained that we had to go so we did. We also decided that we are not yet ready for a family sauna, so Richard and Charlotte took the first 30 minutes.
The people were lovely and were genuinely interested in our journey and our "huge" boat. So much so that they invited themselves on board for a look, it was ok after all they had just bought us a drink and they says a lot if you see the prices here.
Richard and Charlotte had their 30 minutes and texted us to grab our towels and that they would be out by the time we arrived. It was a mistake, we should have had the hour to ourselves. Linda loved it, the wood burning stove made it different to a normal sauna which Linda does not like.
After the sauna we ate at the restaurant where the food was ok but nothing to write home about so I won't.
-
We're off -
Pleased to go -
Rock or a hard place? -
Rocks are never far away -
Moored at Marine Jaakoshamn -
After the Sauna - fluffy hair! -
In the resturant -
After the sauna -
Richard took this