Othelis Expedition 2018, Captains Logs Day 55-66

Captains Log, Day 55, stardate: 26072018
Arwens position: Buene Vestre, South of Kristianssand.

We finally cut loose from Lillesand, and was met by fair winds and Calm sailing. A lightness of mood came about Captain and Crew as we reached Open Seas and hoisted our sails again. Our newly mended Mainsail Rail has a clear effect on Arwens sailingcapabilities, and she can meet the winds at a much sharper angle.

Pluto, the Deck Hand, have lost his sealegs during the long landstay, and frets at waveheights he would easily have shrugged off before our arrival in Lillesand. The Captain decided not to sail at too rough winds the first few days, to let Pluto get his sealegs back.

After passing outside Kristiansand, we docked for the night, and the nearest Bay providing protection from the North Sea was Buene Vestre. The plan was to Anchor there, but as we spotted an empty place at a Quay, we decided to take our chances that the owner was not coming by this late and set a course for it. We where a bit nervous as several local boats docked beside us. But the natives turned out to be amiable, and luckily the owner of the place we had chosen stayed absent.

As the Log is written all is quiet aboard, and the Captain will also shortly retire.

Pluto, the Deck Hand, reports: Buene Vestre: Check!

Captains Log, Day 56, stardate: 27072018
Arwens position: Mandal harbour.

Again, our sailing has been remarkably smooth. Skagerak is not known for days like this. At least not for several days in a row. Captain and Crew made an early start of it, only taking time for a quick cleanup of ship and men before leaving our borrowed docking. Still, some of the natives where up before all Crew had awakened, and went about their business of bathing and having their breakfasts.

There was to be a full Moon Eclipse this night. We therefore decided to sail for Mandal, where a mountainspot gives the perfect viewpoint for such an event. But when visiting the spot, we found it to be too crowded, and, to Our Deck Hands disappointment returned to Arwen to watch the Spectacle.

The next days weatherforecast said thunder and winds at Gale force. This would not be a problem for Arwens Officers, or to Arwen herself, but according to previous decisions on our Deck Hands behalf, it was decided not to sail under such condtions.

Upon trying to pay the Harbourfees, our hosts had problems with their newly installed computerized machinery, and we where given an ad hoc card for access to the Harbours facilitys. This turned out not to function, wich led to a very cold shower for the Captain, and no possibilities for a much needed round of Laundry. But these kind of problems, according to our loosely defined Karmaphilosophy, are to be met face on and in acceptance.

As the Crew retired for the night, Pluto reported: Mandal: Check!

Captains Log, day 57, Stardate: 28072018
Arwens position. Mandal Harbour.

We where met by an apologetic staff of the Guest harbour in the morning, and given a free ticket for our second night in Mandal. Captain and Crew spent the day doing small repairs and preparations for our future sailing.

Mandal is a part of the Norwegian «Biblebelt», and this was illustrated by an episode where Our Steward and Pluto met with another individual of the Deck Hand persuasion.This meeting led to harse words between the two Deck Hands. Upon which our steward calmed Pluto down, and a local inhabitant commented that Pluto was now ; «As Pious as Jesus».The Captain believes that this Statement clearly misunderstands our Deck Hands Character.

The thunder and rain kept Captain and Crew below decks in the evening, as we used the opportunity to rest before sailing past Cape Lindesnes.

Pluto the Deck Hand reports: No progress!

Captains Log, Day 58, stardate: 29072018
Arwens position: Lista.

Leaving Mandal, we had a mildly dramatic episode, as our engine stopped before we where clear of all Shears outside Mandal. However, the Crew kept their Calm, and we quickly hoisted the Genoa to get out to open Seas.

Waves from the Gale of last night, known as «old Sea», kept us at slow sailing until we could change our course and take Wind and Waves from a more favourable angle. Pluto, the Deck Hand, had a hard time adjusting, but overcame his fright admirably as the day progressed.

A Waypoint was reahed as we passed Cape Lindesnes, the southernmost point of the Norwegian Coast. This was celebrated by Pipesmoking, to lend the affair a hint of old fishermen in Kitchpaintings.

The time lost in the mornings slow sailing, and the heavy Sea made us decide to dock at Lista for the night. With waveheights up to three meters, the entrance to Lista harbour seems narrow, and sailing it with all sails, demands cool nerves and a steady hand at the Tiller. But these are Characteristics for which Our Crew is Renowned, and the Captain felt some Pride as Crew and Boat mastered the Conditions.

Arwen docked at the old Fishers Quay of Lista to avoid further harbourfees. Pluto, the Deck Hand reports: Lista: Check!!

Captains Log, Day 59, stardate: 30072018
Arwens position: Rekefjord

As the captain and Pluto where enjoying their morningcoffe a few locals arrived at the Docks. And with them a very suitable young lady for our Deck Hand. He was given shoreleave to court the girl, and intense flirtation ensued. The local inhabitants turned out to be there for seafoodcooking. They have reopended the old fish deliverystation, that had been closed for years, as a seafoodcookery. mainly dealing in Crabs, but also other Seafood.

We let the two young ones enjoy each others company for a few hours, and struck a good tone with the girls Stepfather. He ended up giving us a couple of newly Cooked Crabs for our evening meal as we departed.

Another Day of smooth sailing followed, allthough the wind direction was unfavourable, and we had to cross our way northwestward. We made a good distance, but in the evening the winds waned, and we set a course for Rekefjord, where Our Steward recommended the guestharbour. He is very keen to stay a day to check out the sweetwaterfishing in a lake nearby.

We docked at Sunset, and was greeted by a German Tourist, a sworn fan of Western Norway who has spent his holidays here for the last twenty years. We exchanged boatingstorys with him for a while before he returned to his rented accomodations and we enjoyed the Crabmeal gifted us from Norske Skalldyr at Lista, who also afforded us a free space at their Dock.

As the Crew retired, Our Deck Hand reported: Rekefjord: Check!

Captains Log, Day 60, stardate: 31072018.
Arwens position: Rekefjord

Our fishingplans where mostly Thwarted by circumstances unknown to us. We tried running the lightboat up the river to the end of a mixed water lake, but it was too shallow. This summer has been very dry, and lakes are at record low levels. We then tried hiking to a lake we had found on the map, but where told by a local oldtimer that the lake was private property and that the owner was very particular about it. To avoid any episode with the Natives, we returned accordingly to Our Boat.

The German Tourists had been out with their fishingguides and returned with some Mackarel from wich we got the heads as bait for our fishtrap. The Steward have set it close to where the locals set theirs, and we have to hope they pay off, if for nothing else to boost our Morale, as catching our own seafood is a matter of pride to Captain and Crew.

Pluto the Deck Hand reports: No progress!

Captains Log, Day 61, stardate: 01082018
Arwens position: Hellvik Harbour

The fishtrap payed off! We caught four Crabs, of which two where of edible size. This made for a hearty Breakfast befor we set course further North. Passing the Rumble of the Quarry outside Rekefjord, where they are Currently dismembering a Mountain, we had to turn and await the Docking of one of the ships coming in to bring the Mountains Remains away. The inlet to Rekefjord is very narrow.

We are amazed at the continuing smooth sailing and fair weather. However on this Day the winds completely fell asleep about Midday, and we set a Course for Hellvik after consulting the Map.
The neighbouring Boat at the Dock was a Sailingcrew from Karmøy, not far from our nearest Destination. We where invited aboard and treated with Coffee and Sweet drinks, and got a few tips about good Mooringspots for tomorrows sailing. It was a very enjoyable evening, and the two Crews parted on good terms as it became time to retire.

Pluto, the Deck Hand reports: Hellvik: Check!

Captains Log, Day 62, stardate: 02082018
Arwens position: Rott, south of Karmøy.

We have reached the planned Mooring spot in spite of weak winds at the beginning of the Day. Luckily the winds picked up, and as the Steward at his watch discovered we where being outsailed by another sailingboat at the same Course, he found a competitive mood and started finetrimming Arwens sails. This was to be a test of what the old lady could achieve with her new rig!

Arwen seemed to like the challenge, answered perfectly to the Stewards tuning, and won the race by good margine! If Medals where a part of Arwens traditions, both Steward and Boat would have been Decorated for the effort.

We anchored in a protected Bay at Rott, an Island south of Karmøy, set our fishtrap, and went ashore for a stroll, before retiring.

Pluto, the Deck Hand reports: Rott: Check!

Captains Log, Day 63, stardate: 03082018
Arwens position: Kopervik on Karmøy

Again our fishtrap caught Crab Breakfast, and we weighed Anchor early. As Rott is an Island on the outer Rim of the Coastline we where soon under sail, and enjoyed an uneventful day of fast sailing up the Sound towards Haugesund. We docked at Kopervik and retired after a stroll ashore.

Pluto, the Deck Hand reports: Kopervik and Karmøy: Check!

Captains Log, Day 64, stardate: 04082018.
Arwens position: Entravåg

Coming out of thge Sound we again had an enginefailure before getting in to clear waters. It seems we need to hoist sails while in lee of the Ocean, as the outboardengine gets dipped in water when waves get to high. The inboard engine is as yet only a plan for the future.

In these narrow and shallow Waters, we only had time to hoist the Foresail, and Currents and wind where against us, so we had to cross awhile before we had room to hoist the Mainsail. This helped as we got speed enough to fight the Currents. Once in Open waters, Arwen picked up her pace, but we had lost too much time in the morning, and it was obvious that we would not reach Ølen by nightfall. Consulting the Map, we decided to Anchor in Entravåg, and retired after our usual routines of eveningstrolls and meals.

Pluto, the Deck Hand reports: Entravåg: Check!

Captains Log, Day 65, stardate 05082018
Arwens position: Ølen, East of Haugesund

A Goal has been reached, and it is uncertain if this is the End Destination for the Othelius Expedition, and the time has come to think about turning Our Course Southwards again. Shorebound obligations are awaiting the Captain at months end, and Our Steward has bought a new Boat and needs to return Home shortly. Wether he returns to sail back with us remains to be seen, as life at Home can be a Catching thing.

We where greeted by Christoffer, an old friend of the Steward, and a new one for Captain and Deck Hand. He works at an Automobilerepairshop just across from where we are Docked. He was accompanied by his daughter from a previous relationship, 4 years old Leah, who is quite a lively Child, constantly reciting verses and songs with impressive Accuracy and Flow.

Christoffer has just married a returned local Girl, and found a new life in Ølen. Ølen itself is situated between beautyful Mountains, and the population earns its income largely by working in local industrys like Shipwharfs and Shippingcompanies.

We enjoyed some pizzas with the Young Couple and chatted away a few hours befor retiring on Arwen for the night. Pluto, the Deck Hand reports: Ølen Check!

Captains Log, Day 66, stardate: 06082018
Arwens position: Ølen in Hordaland.

We took Arwen out fishing with Christoffer and Leah after office hours, and Leah caught the only fish. The Steward is leaving ship tonight, and leaving Captain and Deck Hand alone. But as the Autopilot is now installed, and our radio will be shortly, the Captain thinks this will be sufficient Crew for the return Voyage.

This is the last of the Logs from the Othelius Expedition, as we are loosing our Cameraman with the Steward, and the Captain has no talent for this at all.

Captain and Crew thanks the readers of our logs, and Arwen will not be Idle for long, rest assured!