We had a lovely Saturday evening with Martin and Maria at their home and arrived back at our boat on 29th May, dumping the car in the boat hall as usual. We had visited the Merc dealer earlier and had a tentative diagnosis of "failed brake operation sensor" which apparently would account for the symptoms.This was to be followed up in August before leaving for home.
We finally set off at 1020 motoring into a cold but gentle NE breeze and bound for Trosa. The sky was dull but we had sun after reaching Stendorran after about three hours. We were well wrapped up but the trip was tedious; the adverse wind slowed the boat and there was no point in even trying to sail.
I made a mess trying to moor between the posts at Trosa, not helped by a bowline coming undone, rammed the staging and bent the bow ladder. we ignominiously turned tail and moored side to in the river which was in any case more convenient. Worse was to come. We went to Fina Fisken for supper but were told it was closing early and was in any case fully booked because it was Ascension Day. Now Fina Fisken serves very good giant crab claws and similar delicacies so this was a severe blow.
We ate on board and set off early the next day for Sodertalje. The VHF forecast was very similar to the previous day; on the nose 5-10 metres/sec.( probably less inland). I was deprived of the internet as I'd failed to get the new "three" subscription to work.
However the day was a little warmer and sunny, giving better colours on shore. Spring was in full flow with enormous drifts of pollen everywhere; on the water looking alternately pretty or polluted depending on one's point of view and the state of one's hay fever. One ear had blocked up which is my form of hay fever which made communication difficult. We made it to Sodertalje without difficulty and found no staff there, there had been none in Trosa either. Helpful people in both places had given us the access codes to the toilets.
By this time we were beginning to understand toilet operation on-board though not the finer points and mistakes were frequent. We bought food in Sodertalje but did not much like the restaurants and ate on board.
31st May We started with a good slice of luck, motoring over to the lock waiting stage expecting a long delay but were admitted to the lock early and whisked through on our own. I really don't know why. It might have been to clear the lock for a commercial ship but it might just have been that the lock keeper was feeling kind. We have had nasty near misses in that lock, hence my wonderment.
Today the weather was definitely hot and we could shed a lot of clothing and enjoy the sun. The wind was still against us and we made reasonable progress through Maleren passing a motor boat towing what appeared to be a small garage.
We downlocked at Hammarby, cursing both the short hanging ropes and the requirement to used a card machine to pay for the experience. It is quite easy to lose a bank card this way, particularly if trying to hold a rope at the same time. It really is best to supply one's own warp and make it fast to the lack loops and less likely to lead to the boat drifting free.
We made it through Danviksbron with little delay and found Wasahamnen its usual welcoming self. We tied up greeted the on duty crew and mad our way to Blau Porten our favourite good weather restaurant very close to the harbour. They had a new dish on the menu, Boulaibaisse with a northern twist and wquite delicious. We were in Stockholm and in time for the Early Music Festival. However weh ad done no sailing at all and had motored for three days solid.
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