July 28 – 31, 2025
We turned back in Lillesand, and started our return from there. Inititially, the idea was to continue further east as far as it was fun, but for practical reasons, and when looking at the forecast, we thought it would be better this way. We’d had some very nice weeks in July, and had seen and experienced many different things. Tuesday we went to see and hear a presentation of the epic poem Terje Vigen, written by Henrik Ibsen. It was not just a presentation, it was a strong and emotional performance by a young actor, Erlend Gunstveit, in Fjære church, where Terje Vigen is buried, according to the story. Vigen was a poor seaman, who lived on the coast in that area. His little, simple house would have been one of those that are now highly valued summer cottages.
Ellen took the bus home from Kristiansand, with a stop over at her sister in law at their cottage. I started home the same day, reaching home just some hours later! Sailing is fast!
But before leaving Kristiansand, I visited the Tall Ships Races. Here are some impressions:
And then, Jolie Brise again. Let me indulge!
Starting from Kristiansand at 3 pm I reached a small island community just west of Lindesnes at 8. There was 2-3 knots of following current all the way, which helped considerately for the speed.
Sælør, or Seli, is a natural harbour between two small islands. When they closed the opening to the south in the 1960s, they got perfect protection in all pionts of wind. The houses are now all summer houses for descendants of those who used to live there. I have visited many small island communities along the coast, from Lillesand to Lofoten, but this stands out.
The same king Olav (also called St Olav) supposedly visited the islands in 1028, and allegedly built a church there. There are some ruins on a hill above the village.
I stared at sunrise Thursday morning, hoping to reach at least Egersund on a favourable wind. Motorsailing, I was there by noon, stopping for fuel and food. Conditions were calm, and as the forecast said more north west wind the coming days, I continued north.
The sea was almost completely calm, which also meant little wind, so the engine would have to do the job! Being alone onboard, I could not have done this without the autopilot. Now I could just sit back, listen to radio, read, eat and relax.
By 10.15 pm I could tie up in our home marina, after 17 hours on the sea. Good to be home again, and look back at a wonderful time in the south!
Epilogue
Just have to add this. Bessie Ellen is an 116 year old English sailing yacht, that started her life as a cargo ship on the British Coast. Perfectly restored and kept, she now serves as a passenger ship, taking people on trips, mostly along the west coast of the British Isles. I have been following her on their own channel, and knew that she would be here in Ryfylke this summer. And here she is, sailing right past our house! I hope to see her one day in Stavanger!
Seil i vestavind/home 