We’ve ended up staying in the general vicinity of Stavanger – partly to make sure swelling in my mouth is controlled and partly because it would have been silly to set off into a major headwind!

So we’ve sailed/motored up various Fjords and enjoyed the scenery and the peace – Norway certainly feels lie a sleepy country – but I guess they’re all on holidays…

Unfortunately, we fell foul of not knowing the language – topped up the dinghy with 3 gallons of fuel and got a charge for $175! It was an automated pump and we think our transaction didn’t finish so the next customer got to fill up his tanks at our expense. Now can’t get hold of the marina – rats!

We’re now anchored in a small bay – Nedstrand and have been joined by a fine Australian boat – Razorbill – so we had John and Angela over for drinks. They’ve been cruising for 11 years and the boat they’re now in is only a couple of year old Dutch boat – 49ft. We’re headed over there tonight and anxious to check it out!  It’s REALLY nice to have someone in the anchorage we can talk with – it’s been somewhat isolating here – and interestingly, John and Angela have been feeling the same way – far fewer boats cruising in the waters of Norway and Scotland…

Yesterday Laurie found us another precipice to climb up to – this one with an impressive overhang – Himakånå – albeit at 1,200ft, not quite as high as Pulpit Rock!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow we’re planning to make a bit of a dash south to Egersund – about 70 miles from here, taking advantage of a single day of northerly winds…

 

 

 

We waited in Shetland for a couple of days for some smooth sailing and were rewarded with an easy North Sea crossing – albeit we had to use the engine nearly 30% of the time…

We arrived to an anchorage close to Fitjar – really small. We had to use our rangefinder to find the middle of the pool where it was 30′ deep and then could only let out about 100′ of rode to ensure we didn’t touch the jagged rocks on any of the surrounding shores! We got a good hold however and enjoyed this very secluded anchorage for a couple of evenings – not even getting off the boat.

Unfortunately, I had developed an abscess above one of my molars, so we were on a bit of a schedule to get ourselves down to Stavanger where OCC Port Office Eoin Robson had kindly suggested a good dentist. So we made our way south and anchored in another nice sheltered bay – this one 65 feet deep(!) – on the island of Bømlo. The ride down here was great – through narrow passages between rocky outcrops and sailing with both headsails and no main.

We made Stavanger the following day after a blustery sail south and were greeted by Patrick and Amanda on OCC boat Egret – who promptly provided dinner for us and Eoin! Egret has since moved on further south, looking for warmer weather – our plans are up in the air, controlled by a tooth!

Also in Stavanger, we had to go to the airport to check Laurie into the country – this involved a long bus ride and when we got there, they were most impressed that we’d made the effort to check in! Still, she’s checked in – and more importantly, officially out of the UK – she was coming up on the 180 day deadline…

The following day’s trip to the dentist wasn’t so great – I ended up losing the tooth – so Laurie’s looking around now for a horse with a full set!

Yesterday we had a spectacular walk up to Pulpit Rock – along with thousands of others – on a beautiful day. It was quite a walk, but the rewards exceptional – though sometimes challenged my vertigo to the extreme! Not surprising since it’s a 2,000′ drop from the top!!!

The weather has changed – finally we’re getting some sunshine and the temperature has edged up to the high 60’s F – (15-19C) but even so, we think we’ll start heading towards the south later today – after another brief appointment with the dentist (who was by the way, excellent).

Can’t say enough about the help received from OCC Port Officer Eoin Robson – his recommendations and directions were spot on for Stavanger – Thanks Eoin!