Friday, 26. June 2009 : Into the Gulf of Finland
A short sail, only 10 miles to the cottage of our old colleagues and friends Ulf and Maritta, and a nice afternoon/evening with barbecued “bjorneburgers”, a sauna and a few hours soaking in their big hot water barrel. Maritta was still at work in Helsingfors, with two weeks to go before vacation, but Uffe made a great host and we had a good time until we said good night at around 1:30.
Next day, I planned to go to Kasnäs, ca 35 miles south-east. As the weather was fantastic and the wind favourable, I decided to continue to Hangö, another 15 miles. Hangö is the southernmost point of the Finnish mainland, and a well-known sailing centre. I found a nice spot to tie up. The sizzling live and disco music from different boats’ stereos, added to the tones of a troubadour playing for his life in the harbour café and desperately trying to be heard, was a bit of a shock initially. After a shower, some food and a couple of beers, life felt a lot better.
Next morning, I was in every shop of the little town, trying to buy a SIM card for mobile Internet, without success. Unfortunately, this means expensive Internet access via roaming.
After filling up the diesel tank (there had been quite some hours of motoring during the last week), I continued into the Bay of Finland and found a nice and quiet anchorage south of Ekenäs in a little pool called Gropen. Unfortunately, due to narrow and tricky waterways and the wind coming right from the bow, Mr Penta had to work all the way. Half of the lagoon was reserved by Finlands exclusive sailing club, Sjöbjörnarna (the Sea Bears), where non-member guests are not welcome (they do, however, happily enjoy the hospitality of other clubs’ harbours abroad). Fortunately, I found a perfect place just outside their reserved area, marked by green buoys.
As I am ahead of the time schedule, today I lowered anchor in a protected place only 10 miles further east. Temperatures have risen again, and now, the inside thermometer reads 32 degrees C (yes, the hatch is open, and air is flowing through the boat). I spent the afternoon with a two hours walk on the beautiful island and some swimming when back onboard. Unfortunately, it is too hot for beer drinking, so I settled down with an ice cold Gin and Tonic instead. Now, it’s time for another swim.
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