Author: Daniel

Join us on our journey as we sail from Bergen to Måløy, navigating the serene fjords and stunning rocky shores of Norway. This episode captures the essence of our adventure, from the first impressions of Norway’s breathtaking landscapes to the heartwarming moments on board.

We begin our voyage motoring up Herdlefjorden, just north of Bergen. The calm, protected fjords and the tree-lined rocky shores create a mesmerizing backdrop as we soak in the beauty of this new country. To pass the time, we take on a little project—tying soft shackles for Markus’ boat back in Switzerland using 4mm Dyneema braid. It’s a tricky task, especially with the slippery material, but with the help of winches and vice grip pliers, we manage to get it right. The proximity to the rocky islands is both unusual and thrilling. Despite the initial fear, we find the depths are more than sufficient, allowing us to enjoy the stunning views and the exhilarating experience.

After seven hours of motoring, we finally arrive in Dingja. The small guest pontoon accommodates only two mid-sized boats, but we find a spot at the end of the finger pontoons. Though not ideal due to the massive anchoring chain, the calm weather forecast makes it a safe choice.

With Dingja known as a fishing paradise, we quickly set off on a fishing expedition, hoping to avoid a dinner of porridge. Meanwhile, Nina and Kathrin enjoy their first sauna. The resident swan adds a bit of excitement as it fiercely defends its territory during their dip in the sea. Our fishing trip is a success! We return with a bucket full of Saithe, which we turn into delicious fillets with the help of a friendly German fishing enthusiast.

The next morning, we move Polaris to the main guest pontoon as it becomes available. Kathrin takes the helm and expertly parks the boat in its new berth. We decide to stay an extra day due to the calm weather forecast.

After exploring Dingja and its surroundings, we enjoy a special treat – Swiss Cheese Fondue brought by Markus and Nina. This culinary delight from the Motherland is a dearly missed taste of home. The day ends with the magic of our first real Norwegian sunset, a perfect conclusion to a wonderful day.

Continuing along the protected inland route, we experience the true beauty of Norway, even if most of it is under engine. As we approach Norway’s Constitution Day, Markus recites the Norwegian national anthem, adding a touch of history and culture to our journey. The majestic Hornelen, Europe’s highest sea cliff, comes into view with its impressive 860m vertical drop. The sight is truly awe-inspiring. Through Fåfjorden, we make our final approach to Måløy, passing between the islands of Rysøya and Gangsøya and under the 40m high bridge into Måløysound. Måløy serves as a perfect starting point for our next adventure—rounding the notorious Stadlanded peninsula. But first, we enjoy a delicious pizza fresh from Kathrin’s galley.

Join us on this incredible sailing adventure from Bergen to Måløy. Subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so you won’t miss our next episode where we take on the challenges of the Stadlanded peninsula!

In episode, we take on the challenge of crossing the notorious North Sea, sailing from Inverness, Scotland to Norway. With an unpredictable weather forecast, we had to choose the best route from three options. Join us, along with our crew members Nina and Markus, as we navigate this exhilarating journey.

Given the unstable weather conditions, we considered three potential routes: Inverness to Ålesund via Lerwick, Inverness to Bergen and Inverness to Stavanger or Haugesund via Peterhead. With a forecast of northwesterly winds, veering north and finally east, which route would you have chosen? Find out our choice and the reasons behind it.

As we set out from Inverness, we navigate through the challenging shallows and strong tidal currents of the Moray Firth. With Markus, an experienced racing skipper, at the helm, and careful navigation, we make our way under the Kessock Bridge and out into the North Sea.

During the first night we got a bit more wind and also waves than expected from the forecast. We did not expect to pull in a second reef… In the pitch black of the night the waves were invisible, maybe better so… unfortunately, this sea state led to a temporary drop out of Nina due to a heavy bout of sea-sickness. But after a good night’s sleep she was back to her strengths at sunrise.

The North Sea presents us with breathtaking sunsets, sunrises and the dramatic sight of oil platforms. As we progress, the wind weakens, and we switch to motoring to maintain our speed and ensure a daylight arrival in Norway before the wind turns against us. The calm and uneventful night leads to a beautiful sunrise, and we sail under engine towards the Norwegian coast.

After 50 hours of sailing and motoring, we make landfall in Norway. The journey doesn’t end here, as we navigate another 20 nautical miles through the stunning Fjords, passing under the impressive bridges into our destination. The fjords present new challenges with winds coming from all directions, but the spectacular scenery makes it all worthwhile.

As we approach our destination, the waterways become busier with large cargo and passenger ships, including the famous Hurtigruten coastal route. We carefully navigate these narrow channels, adhering to the local saying: “Those who sail for pleasure should give way to those who sail for their bread.”

Join us for this unforgettable North Sea crossing, from the planning stages to the final approach into our destination. Subscribe to our channel, hit the like button, and stay tuned for more exciting episodes as we continue our sailing adventures.

Welcome to our journey through the stunning Caledonian Canal!

In this episode, we embark on the first leg of our adventure, sailing 30 nautical miles up Loch Linnhe to Corpach. The views are breathtaking as we glide past snow-covered mountains, including the majestic Ben Nevis. It’s mid-April, and the beauty of spring in West Scotland‘s is on full display.

Our adventure on the Caledonian Canal begins with a serene morning. Polaris and her crew are prepped and ready for the lock operations to start. The canal, built in the early 19th century, stretches 50 nautical miles from Corpach on the west coast to Inverness on the east, reaching an elevation of 32 meters above sea level. This incredible waterway, partly man-made and partly natural lochs, follows a geological fault line cutting across Scotland.

Discover the logistics: 29 locks, 11 swing bridges, and super friendly Canal Staff, available 7 days a week during summer (8 am – 6 pm) and on reduced hours during the other seasons. We’ll share the specifics on boat dimensions, speed limits, and licensing costs too.

As we navigate the canal, we encounter a slight delay at the Banavie swing bridge, taking almost a full day to ascend Neptune’s Staircase – Britain’s longest staircase lock, comprising eight locks and lifting boats 20 meters.

Fort Augustus, halfway through the canal, marks the western end of Loch Ness. Here, we take a breather and explore the beautiful village. Martina and Kathrin prepare for a hike while I tackle a day of video conferencing from our boat office.

Cold water swimming proves irresistible to Martina, and fun fact: Loch Ness holds more water than all lakes in England and Wales combined. We delve into the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, dating back to the 7th century AD.

Continuing through Loch Dochfour, we navigate the final man-made sections of the canal. As we approach Inverness, our skills at handling the locks become second nature. Finally, Polaris rejoins the sea, where her journey is dictated by wind, weather, and waves again.

Concluding our trip with a well-deserved pint at the Hootananny in Inverness, we reflect on this incredible adventure through Scotland’s serene Highlands. And thanks Dom, for the pub tip!