The skipper writes: Finland is amazing! The archeapelago is almost alien in landscape. There are I'm told, 100,000 islands here, most no bigger than a clump of trees on a rock and all of them beautiful.
Our cruise has brought us to the port of Nagu, those of you minded to should look this up on google earth. There you will be able to see the complexity of the navigation we have had to contend with. Good job I bought some local charts in Helsinki!
The lads have also discovered the awful truth about the price of a beer here. They have taken up reading, given up smoking and are looking for opportunities to swim in the clean, clear and, I understand, warm waters here.
We are expecting to be joined by 20 more TSR vessels here tonight and we are off tommorrow for a last secluded night at anchor before Turku and race leg 2 awaits.
addendum (21 July) not only are the lads not smoking but reading, they are also drinking Gin and Tonic because (here in Finland) its cheaper than beer!
Monday, 20 July 2009
Sunday, 19 July 2009
From Helsinki and the Finnish islands...
The skipper writes: Helsinki is behind us now and it did us proud. We spent a couple of nights berthed on the historic island of Soumenlinna, a short ferry ride from the city centre. Its a beautiful place and felt clean and ordered after the chaos of St Petersburg.
There is a poignant air onboard today as last night we said goodbye to our friends on Ocean Spirit of Moray. The ship continues in the race but only after a complete change of crew, skipper and afterguard included. They threw a modest little party to celebrate their coming second in their class and it was nice to share our stories.
Things move on so farewell to Ian, Stewart, Magda, and Laura.... a swan doesn't forget a mate and we will see you all next time!
We are now threading our way leaving a tracery through a myriad of small islands, each beautiful but each remote. This is how it will be for us now until Turku, our little band of swans. Music and mayhem await I'm sure but for now everything is peaceful......
There is a poignant air onboard today as last night we said goodbye to our friends on Ocean Spirit of Moray. The ship continues in the race but only after a complete change of crew, skipper and afterguard included. They threw a modest little party to celebrate their coming second in their class and it was nice to share our stories.
Things move on so farewell to Ian, Stewart, Magda, and Laura.... a swan doesn't forget a mate and we will see you all next time!
We are now threading our way leaving a tracery through a myriad of small islands, each beautiful but each remote. This is how it will be for us now until Turku, our little band of swans. Music and mayhem await I'm sure but for now everything is peaceful......
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