Stockholm - our final destination!

At noon time yesterday, on June 4th, Jennifer and her happy crew entered Stockholm's inner harbour in order to reach our final destination,  Wasahamnen Marina.  It is the city's most central guest harbour with a capacity of 174 boats. The marina is located next to the world famous Wasa museum, Stockholm's number one tourist attraction.

Stockholm (pop. 966.000) was founded 1252 but construction started already 1187. The population of the greater Stockholm area is approx. 1.600.00 inhabitants.

At the marina I was welcomed warmly by my wife Akane, my daughter Priscilla and my granddaughter Isolde - a very happy reunion! After introducing them to my fellow crew mates I could show them Jennifer's inside, including a peek into the galley and our living quarters for the past five weeks. Later they got a chance to sample mine and Tore's cooking when we all sat down for a leftover lunch. After "fika" (coffee & cinnamon bun) it was time for me to clean my toilet and cabin before saying good bye to Jennifer, Cpt. Lasse and to my fellow crew mates.

Too late to welcome...

...us yesterday as we were getting close to Stockholm! 

- "It was the missed chance of a lifetime", were the exact words of Cpt. Lasse, "to welcome his brother after sailing from Portugal to Stockholm! ". All my crew mates were lined up on deck together with me in order to greet my brother! He lives very close to the last narrow stretch of water before reaching Stockholm harbour. He didn't make in time despite early enough notice...

Dalarö Skans...

...is a former sea fortress located on a small island, Stockskärsholmen, south of the small harbour town Dalarö in the Stockholm archipelago. Building of the present fortress started 1656. The idea was to protect ships in the Dalarö harbour. According to some other sources the purpose was to stop the enemy from reaching Stockholm from the south. The fortress has never been in a battle. Today the fortress is used for meetings and conferences.

Summer guests at Landsort: 1 weather and 30 does

Landsort Lighthouse is located on a small island called Öja in the southern part of Stockholm archipelago. There's been a lighthouse here since 1651. The island is 5 km long and 700 m wide. To keep the landscape open, one weather (castrated male goat) and 30 does (female goats) will do the job with their appetite during summer 2019.

Today's Cod Catch - Before and After

I prepared our freshly caught and bought cod for lunch in two ways:

- tempura style

- fish and chips style. Due to a lack of bread crumbs onboard I used crushed onion and sour cream chips!

For the tempura cod dish I used the yellow part of eggs, flour, Danish export beer and salt & pepper.

Both cod dishes were served together with a potato gratin á lá Tore. All in all an excellent meal according to the food jury onboard this sailing vessel.

165 NM to Stockholm, Sweden

We have now started on our last leg of this long sea voyage - nonstop sailing from Borgholm to Stockholm. If everything goes well we will dock in the Wasa Harbour close to the ship with the same name which sank on it's maiden voyage. Estimated time of arrival 4-5 PM on Tuesday. June 4th.

Gert - the Cod Fisher Man

Early this morning a noticed a small red dot far out at sea surrounded by seagulls. 

A fishing boat! 

A fresh fish possiblity!

I decided to meet up with boat as it entered the harbour to ask if I could buy fish directly off the boat. And yes, no problem! Gert, the captain, asked if I wanted him to clean the fish. Yes please! I paid him SEK120 for a kilo of freshly caught cod. 

Today's Jennifer lunch: butterfried cod with potato gratin!