Othelius Expedition 2018 Day 25-30

Captains Log, Day 25, stardate 26062018
Arwens position: Larvik harbour.

The battle to upgrade and repair our Boat has become the theme of this Journey. But acceptance of the fact is essential to the Morale of our Crew, and the nerves of our Captain. And fretting over the situation does not help. So we must let the tides and the winds, and Arwens condition rule our days and our Voyage.

The Captain had a productive morning, assisted by his ever faithful Deck Hand, who lent moral support to the project of building the Batteriesetup. Our neighbouring boat on the Harbour has a female Deck Hand named Skiva, and Pluto spent much of the remaining Day courting for her attentions ashore. She was not unaffected by his attentions, but gave clear warning when he occasionally passed the borders of politeness.

More friends of the Steward came over for a simple meal in a nearby park. They had also brought female company for our Deck Hand, and as the Captain took him for an evening walk with Skiva and her Captain to Bøkeskogen, a famous forest nearby, he was quite content with his Day, and retired blissfully.

Bøkeskogen: Check!

Captains Log, Day 26, stardate 27062018
Arwens position as the log is written: Helgeroa by Langesund.

All morning was spent preparing for sailing further south. We took on board a new member of Crew, a friend of our Steward by the name of Renè. His mother lives in Helgeroa, our goal of the day.

We left Larvik harbour a few hours after midday, and proceeded by engine, as the wind was unfavourable. The engine threatened to let us down several times, so the Captain ordered preparation of sails. This turned out to be a wise decision, for as he was working a coughing engine the engineholder snapped in two, and left the engine trailing the water! Luckily, the Captain, wise from previous experience had secured the engine and could pull it quickly aboard, before it took in much water.

Sails where hoisted, and we continued towards Helgeroa Harbour, but as the conditions in Helgeroa was uncertain, it was decided to contact the Sea Rescueservices for assistance in docking Arwen. As we where under sail, and in no immediate danger, the Rescueservices could finish their dinner before catching up with us outside Helgeroa Harbour and giving us a push to Quay.

The Norwegian Sea Rescueservices is a voluntary service, with long traditions, stemming from the Days of the Colin Archer rescueboats. Today it is largely financed by the membership payments. As paying members the assistance had no cost for us, and we parted with the rescueboats Crew on good terms.

It was a setback, but the Steward promptly started cleaning out the engine and making plans for making a new holder. Crew Morale stood up to the challenge, and before retiring, our Deck Hand was proud to report: Helgeroa: Check!

Captains Log, Day 27, stardate 28062018

The Captain left ship to visit his father, who lives abroad but was now in Norway. He picked up the first Mate, who is also the Captains son, in Tønsberg, and the Company traveled by borrowed vehicle to Skedsmokorset for the visit. The Steward and our Deck Hand stayed aboard to repair the damages from our mishap yesterday.

Reports of their activity was telegraphed to the Captain, and he was pleased to hear of swift progress. As the visit to his father ran late, the Captain stayed the night at the first Mates landside dwellings, and was well treated with fine beer and sausage.

There was no report on Pluto the Deck Hands personal project.

Captains Log, Day 28, stardate 29062018
Arwens position: Helgeroa Harbour

The Captain spent the day with our first Mate, still being treated as a royal guest with fine meals. He returned late to Helgeroa, where he spent a few hours with his friend Øyvind Giæver, at the local Tavern, gossiping about old friends and aquaintances.

All crew retired early as the next day would be busy finishing our repairs. There is still nothing new to report on Plutos project.

Captains Log, Day 29, stardate 30062018
Arwens position; Helgeroa

A busy day of repairs. The Steward left for a brief visit to his relations in Larvik, while Captain and Deck Hand started cleaning the decks, followed by preparing a new engineholder. Our neighbours on the Harbour where quite sociable and several old sailors came by to comment and give advice on our repairs.

On our Stewards return, the new holder was ready, and our Steward took it upon himself to attach it. The operation demanded a bath on his part, as this was best done from underneath Arwens Stern.
As this took some time, with several adjustments being made on shore by the Captain, he was quite cold by the time the holder was in place. A test of the engine followed, and it started, but ran a bit high. It was decided that this problem could wait till the morrow, and all crew subsequently retired.

Still nothing new to report on our Deck Hands project.

Captains Log, Day 30, stadate 01072018
Arwens position as the log is written: Jomfruland, outside Kragerø.

A very efficient Crew rose early, to prepare for a day of sailing. Even before breakfast the small problem of the engine was solved, and we made ready to sail in the afternoon.

Wind and waves where mild and pleasant, and Arwen sails better than ever. The Captain enjoyed sailing her solo for the last part of the Day, looking for small adjustments that should be made on the rig. It seems our rudder is a bit off center with our ruddertiller, and this sometimes slows the Boat a little. But she is well balanced, and sails easy, so the Captain again had to hold back a tear or two as Arwen danced her way to Jomfruland. This feels like the real beginning og our Voyage, as Helgeroa is the furthest south Arwen has been under her current Captain.

Pluto, the Deck Hand, proudly reports: Jomfruland: Check!