Rassavikar

After our luxurious Martin and Maria left (we thought heading north) and headed south and west with an eventual target of Broken. We had a southerly breeze and were able to sail much of the way heading initially for the NW side of Orno. We passed Kolnasviken, a possible destination, sailing well and far too early to stop so pressed on. The wind strengthened as we came into less sheltered water and a warm sun gave extra pleasure. It is surprising just how well Badger sails in comparison with larger boats (probably crewed by less experienced sailors to be truthful). Regrettably, the wind, as forecast went round to the SW, dead on the nose, and strengthened further and kicking up a chop by the time we reached the seamen's memorial on Kapellon. In addition the sun was in our eyes. Incidentally, Myssingnen seems an odd place for a seamen’s memorial as big ships don’t go past it as the NE end of the passage is too wriggly and narrow for big ships. We took down the jib but kept up the main as it was a bit bouncy for Kristin to get it down and she is the fore deck gorilla. It was surprisingly difficult to check visually where we were and boats appeared to be going off to starboard, giving us the worry we might be missing a more sheltered route to Nynashamn. Looking at the chart persuaded us that there was no such passage and one catamaran much closer to shore than us eventually turned tail which suggested she had been mistaken and reconciling us somewhat to our fate. Much of this was wishful thinking. “There must be a way of avoiding this unpleasantness and one of these boats knows something we don't.” In fact the entry to Nynashamn is pretty obvious and it was marked by a vast cruise liner anchored north of the ferry harbour.

Eventually the wind dropped a bit, we turned into shelter and lowered the main in the lightle bight at the north end of Bedaron. Much relieved, we looked with scorn at a very crowded guest harbour at Nynashamn, thought with some regret of the smoked shrimps in the Smokery and motored on south bound for the archipelago and Dragets Canal. The archipelago was sheltered, warm and quiet. Moreover we got through the initial narrows and Dragets without meeting any other traffic and arrived at Rassavikar to anchor and enjoy a quiet evening and night.