
Will our 60 footer fit in Norway? | Step 38
We continued our exciting sailing journey along the Norwegian coast, making our way towards Denmark. Our adventure was filled with beautiful anchorages, challenging weather conditions, and memorable encounters. Sailing Along the Norwegian Coast We set sail early one morning, covering a distance of 20.6 miles with winds from the southeast at 6-11 knots. The weather was sunny and warm at 22 degrees. We enjoyed a lovely sailing day, making speeds between 4 and 7 knots with minimal wave action. Our dog, Reef, seemed to enjoy the experience as well[1]. We anchored in a rustic inlet near Arendal, surrounded by rock forests and a holiday park. We took Reef for walks and enjoyed a delicious dinner of salmon steak, asparagus, and jacket potato. We remained vigilant about ticks in the area. Exploring Bays and Towns The next day, we sailed 15 miles, including a 3-mile round trip. The weather was sunny and 23 degrees, with light southerly winds. We explored various bays and visited the town of Grimmstad for ice cream. We found a beautiful anchorage and enjoyed walks with Reef in the shore forests. Challenges and Adjustments We faced some challenges, including a night of heavy rain that filled our dinghy and a bout of illness for Reef. We had to clean the deck after Reef had an upset stomach, but he recovered well throughout the day. During our journey, we constantly monitored weather models to plan our route south. We considered departing for Nordeney or the Wadden Islands earlier than planned, aiming for a nice downwind course for the 258-mile journey. Sailing to Kristiansand We sailed 29 miles towards Kristiansand, navigating through exciting passages between rocks and small towns. We encountered some challenging weather, including thunderstorms, but managed to find a suitable anchorage near Kristiansand behind the island of Andholmen. We explored the area, visiting a government-subsidized wharf where historic ships are refurbished. We had interesting conversations with locals and visitors, including the consul general of the Norwegian Navy, who was curious about our boat[1]. Final Days in Norway In Kristiansand, we refueled and considered various mooring options. We ultimately decided to anchor near the harbor. We celebrated Robin's birthday with champagne in the city center and enjoyed a Thai steak dinner. We spent our last day in Norway preparing for our departure to Denmark. After a final exploration of a nearby beach and forest, we lifted anchor at 10 p.m. and set sail into the night with strong winds and high waves. Crossing to Denmark Our crossing to Denmark involved night watches and challenging conditions. We made good speed, sometimes reaching 10 knots. We had to deal with some chaos below deck as items shifted due to the boat's movement. As we approached the Danish coast, the wind and waves calmed. We celebrated Robin's birthday on board with presents and noodles for lunch. We contacted Esbjerg harbor to secure a spot for our arrival. Arrival in Esbjerg After two nights at sea, we arrived in Esbjerg, Denmark. We moored near a museum ship around 8:15 a.m. The sun was shining brightly, and the temperature was pleasant. We spent the day relaxing, walking, cleaning up, and enjoying a good meal before turning in early, tired but satisfied with our journey. Throughout our adventure, we enjoyed the beauty of the Norwegian coast, overcame sailing challenges, and created lasting memories. Our journey from Norway to Denmark was a testament to our seamanship and love for exploration.
