PU: May 29 - Day 10
Skaboholmen - Gillholmen 38 km
Today's weather was better than previous days but the head wind means that you have to fight for each meter. My water supply was running critically low but I found a water tap at a closed marina at Kyrkesund. My tent is rather wet after heavy rain last night. Forecast for May 30: cloudy but not too windy! I have seen tracks of fox on tonight's island - I better keep my food with me inside the tent.
PU: May 28 - Day 9
Skaboholmen - Skaboholmen 0 km
For an adventure like this it is good not to have a time limit. Red Nose and I are making this trip at "My pace", which is also our slogan. My special sunprotector- and visibility hat, here demonstrated by Mr. Stoneface (a native of Skaboholmen), was created by Akane in her Wasby studio. Thank you again! Visibility is important at high sea in a low boat!
The weather forecast this morning was not very good. Strong wind from South-West (head wind!) and rain showers. I actually measured 14 ms at noon. As we move on we will pass two large fjords and we prefer more peaceful crossings. That's why we are spending one extra night on this island.
PU: May 27 - Day 8
Lavo - Skaboholmen 21 km
Very foggy this morning but the sun came out at 1 o'clock and so did Red Nose. It was very tough crossing two wide open waters, with strong head wind coming from south west, 8-9 ms.
It was very nice to get a glimpse of Mollosund from the sea side - this village instantly became a place for me and Akane to visit in the future . The inner harbour even features a special landing dock for visiting kayaks - but I was too tired to try using it - no chance for a Showtime for all the tourists!
I have just finished a unique island dinner consisting of 1. Dried ground beef a la Wasby, 2. Instant Chantarelle soup, 3. Baby 8 month old porridge instant formula. All mixed together and eaten with good appetite. (I had forgotten mashed potato powder at home.. ).I
Progress update "PU":
Yesterday (May 26, day 7) I left Malmon very early but still big waves but I made it safely to Lysekil and continued south to Lavo and last nights campsite. Many pleasure boats tried their best to create challenging surprise waves for Red Nose and his commander. Yesterday's paddel total: 28 km and grand total: 152 km.
This foggy morning I take the opportunity to send a flower to my wife Akane who has been very supportive of my paddle adventure. The flower I have chosen is called "Trift" (Armeria maritima). This flower is common on the Swedish west coast but can be found as a rare speci on the east coast and is then called "Backtrift".
Yesterday, while waiting for better paddle weather, I met a young fishermen/paddler living on Malmon. He told me that he commutes by kayak to Kungshamn every day from April to October (6 km one-way ). I then asked him what he was doing during the rest of the year?
His answer: I windsurf in Indonesia.
His catch: mackerel and crayfish.
Wild pansy (Viola tricolor) is very common on the islands of the Swedish west coast.
Here is a test model of a natural gear dryer for kayak paddlers.
After waiting six hours for the wind and waves to decrease with no positive result I decided to spend the night at my emergency harbour. But no place for my tent! Instead I choose to use an abandoned fisherman's hut as my palace for the night.
The name of the place is Dragsholmen and today's paddle total came to 12 km.
This morning started nicely. After one hour I passed Smogen on my right side and Kungshamn on my left side. Suddenly the wind increased dramatically, with wind gusts of 13 ms and meter high waves. To keep my balance was like dancing Zumba with Red Nose. At the time of reporting this I am waiting for better weather at a small emergency harbour at the southern tip of Malmon.
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