Tuesday, 14. July 2009 : Lappeenranta to Kuopio
After a lay-day in Lappenranta, where Håkan and I had an opportunity to see the town and to stretch our legs, we continued towards Savonlinna. Light winds, and the skipper’s famous patience resulted in some motoring and some very slow sailing, due to Håkans nagging. 70 miles north. We found an anchorage all for ourselves and had time for some cooling off in the water (16 degreeC).
The following day we continued to Savonlinna. After a first night in a rather lumpy guest harbour, we moved to an empty jetty in front of a little hotel right in front of the famous castle. Håkans wife Ulla and Sir Francis’ regular woman-skipper Hilkka had been travelling from Stockholm to Helsinki and were now on their way by car towards us. Now was the time to hoist the buntings, a series of flags reaching from the bow via the tip of the mast and down to the stern. Sir Francis was shining in such glory that the hotel owner came down to the jetty and invited us for coffee and cake, telling us that he considered our presence as sales promotion for the hotel.
We had been rather concerned about the weather for this important day – an Opera evening in foul weather gear was not what we had planned and the forecast said heavy rain in the afternoon but clearing up in the evening. So we were rather relieved when the heavy rain stopped, just half an hour before our so much longed-for wives arrived.
Håkan had spent all his culinary art to prepare some snacks to go with the champagne that had been cooled for some days in advance. After this delight, it was time to dress for the opera visit (unfortunately we had no ticket for Smilla who had to act watchdog on board). We all were impressed by the professional performance.
Next morning, Ulla and Håkan signed off and Auli, Hilkkas friend since school days some 40 years ago, checked in into the aft cabin, to stay for the three days trip from Savonlinna to Kuopio.
Unfortunately, the wind was against us, ca 1 – 2 m/s right from the bow, so Mister Penta had to do some work the first day. Sunny and warm day one and two, heavy rain on day three, when we tied up in the main guest harbour of Kuopio. Now we have reached the journeys destination. We had been talking about this trip for many years, charts had been purchased 10 years ago, so it was a big moment for us, despite the rainy welcome.
The journey had taken exactly one month, first week with Hilkka and Smilla, second week all by myself, third week together with Håkan and last week with Hilkka, Smilla and Auli.
Tomorrow is the big meeting day – about a dozen of Hilkkas relatives and friends will show up and visit us on Sir Francis. We are looking for the reunion but as we never before had that many people onboard, we hope that the old lady will keep floating despite the additional load.
Some reflections about sailing on Lake Saimaa:
The southern part between Lapeenranta and Savonlinna reminds of Stockholms archipelago (the middle part between the mainland and the barren outer islands), the northern part is very similar to Lake Mälaren, some parts a bit mountain-lake alike.
Everywhere you find lots of protected anchorages and there is no need to use guest harbours unless you need food supplies or fuel. The lake water is a perfect shower substitute and swimsuit is normally not needed – no people within sight.
During a days sail you meet no more than a few other boats, except in the surroundings of larger towns like Lappeenranta or Savonlinna. Probably this is one of the reasons why everyone is greeting with a big gesture and when coming into a guest harbour there is always someone taking your bow-ropes with a friendly greeting.
Even after all our years at the beautiful Swedish east coast, the Saimaa was a new experience – a magic landscape paired with the possibility to find your own paradise every evening.
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