Ny-Hellesund
In the afternoon, after spending a pleasant morning at the picturesque Stokken island, we sailed for a short distance into the very pretty Norwegian archipelago to reach Ny-Hellesund Bay. Nature here is so stunningly beautiful and seemingly unspoiled. It is like yoga for my mind to sail through this landscape (or what I imagine yoga to be for my mind).
Read MoreStokken Island
Mid-afternoon we left Thyborøn for another rocky passage, this time to Norway. We were blown fast toward Kristiansand, our approximate destination, by a strong wind. The waves pushed me just to the limit of sea sickness again. Next morning, the wind stopped, paused for an hour, and then started blowing from the opposite direction but with the same force of up to 6 Beaufort (22 knots, 40 km/h). We were fortunate to have about two hours left to sail only.
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Hvide Sande to Thorsminde
Hvide Sande (DNK) to Thorsminde (DNK) / 25 nautical miles / 5 hours
Today, unlike the days before, the sailing was pleasant, short and less wavy – great. We sailed up north the Danish coast to get a bit closer to Norway.
Read MoreBreakfast Unusual
Vlieland (NED) to Hvide Sande (DNK) / 218 nautical miles / 42 hours
The first few hours were easy. We left Vlieland, soon after crossed the rather busy traffic separation scheme – a sort of highway on the water – and prepared the sesame noodle salad for diner.
Read MoreSailing with Marius
Makkum – Harlingen – Vlieland / 24 nautical miles / 6 hours
This year again, Marius gave me the opportunity to join him for a cruise on SY Maranea. This year, too, I was more than happy to answer his call.
The plan is to sail Maranea (live location) from Makkum in the Netherlands to Kristiansand (or Mandal) in Norway. Weather permitting, there will be about 310 nautical miles to sail north, preferably in one stretch to give us some time to sail the southern coast of Norway we heard so many sailers rave about. So the route is set, the “exotic” food items stowed aboard, and the first hearty meal digested. Off we go…
Read MoreMeersburg to Konstanz by Bike (not quite)
Today’s plan was to bike from Meersburg to Konstanz, another part of the Lake Constance (or Bodensee in German) cycle path. We are “en route” to bike around the Bodensee. Slowly but surely, the entire 260 km Bodensee cycle path!
Read MoreAn Alpine Stroll
7 km, 200 m up, 550 m down
Bärgli – Carschinasee – Carschinahütte – Partnun
This is a lazy alpine hike, a stunning alpine experience with little sweat, or a mountain experience for the inexperienced (one still needs basic fitness and appropriate equipment). Just a day before, Yasuko found out that there is a bus leaving Sankt Antönien (1’460 m) to a dwelling called Bärgli (2’140 m). This is a 20-minute bus ride that covers, to my delight, the first 700 meters in altitude. From Bärgli, it’s just a one-hour hike to the famous Carschina hut situated in the Rätikon, right next to the Austrian border and also the trail-head to many great hikes and a couple of via ferratas.
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Slope Soaring @ Monte Morcia
The four days on the slope of Monte Morcia, next to the well-known Monte Catria, were great fun. Dynamic soaring was typically possible all day, but particularly fun in the morning (before the crowd arrives). Thermaling to the limit of visibility to come down at maximum speed and using the energy for some aerobatics. What a treat.
