Video Archive

The Hornelen mountain sea cliff is the highest in Europe. There were moderate strength downdrafts coming down off it, but nothing compared to the previous day's battering (on approach to Grindøy). Once past the wind shadows there was some great upwind sailing going west out of Frøysøen. Despite the rain I really enjoyed the sailing. A bit of a battle. You soon get used to being what initially feels like being overpowered, and it is only really the corners that are more difficult. The final shower is just before reaching Florø.

Louise and Morten finally got rid of me, and out on the open sea it was rough and windy. To limit exposure I headed up channels where possible, eventually ducking under the main bridge of the Atlantic road and quitting for the day at Vevang. Seemed like I didn't get far considering the effort (!) but content enough with day: nothing broke, a few more miles to the good, met nice people wherever I landed :) and found the 'bålhuset' (community fire-place house) to rest up in.

Light winds and the sailing has been a bit of a slog these last few days. It looked like a straightforward run up Trondheimsleia - inside the islands of Hitra and Smøla - but end of day 3 and I'm still 45k short of Kristiansund. Am running low or out of key supplies - coffee, oil for cooking fish, toothpaste, anything with vitamins, midge repellent (!), beer(!) - so am determined to put in a good effort tomorrow to reach significant civilisation.

In the last few days two landmarks have been passed.

An otter provides a peaceful interlude during a stopping opportunity on the sail from Måsøya to Hammerfest. After a few hours wobbling downwind getting ashore is good for tired legs. Later in the day more breeze filled in and temperatures soared to 4ºC!

The sail from Kongsfjord to Berlevag was slow, but the calm days are the best for seeing wildlife. Yesterday was the turn of porpoises and this minke whale (in the video below) to make the occasional toughness of the day to day seem trivial.

The marine mammals are a treat. But the birds are more regularly visible companions and every bit as delighting. There are the eider ducks of course. I'd never seen these, and they must be one of natures most beautiful creations.

Every journey starts with a step. Arrival at Kobbvoegen having set out from Grense Jakobselv earlier in the day. Thank you to the Norwegian army for help getting to the border.

Footage from a test sail at Clacton. Board and sail are as I will use. Thanks to Kevin Jay for the drone work and subsequent edit.

Long Standing Ambition - nearly two years in the making - I hope you like it.