Monday, November 15, 2010
KNS Turseilercup 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The First Snow and Other News on November
We came out of the fjell (mountaineering) group meeting this evening to find a thin blanket of snow covering the ground. Glee filled our hearts! Until we remembered what we left sitting out in the cockpit when we left...But still we glided and skipped with joy at these first flakes of the season.
And here's a glance at Sophia's decks...the first snow she's seen in her 31 years!
So far so good on this whole November of Gloom situation. The days are getting noticeably shorter, which became especially apparent as we 'fell back' an hour on Oct. 31st. Currently the sun is officially rising at 8am and setting at 4pm, although we don't see the sun over the trees until around 10:30am. Its angle is so low in the sky that at the height of the day you could swear it was nearing sunset.
Back to the fjell group meeting...we listened to an incredible story of two young Norwegian men that were attempting the first navigation of the Svalbard archipelago, the Norwegian islands to the far north of the mainland above the Arctic circle. It was pretty humorous to see their heavily laden kayaks with food and supplies for the 3-month journey; there was barely enough freeboard to keep water off the decks in a calm sea. Not so humorous was their encounter with a polar bear when they were about half way around. A polar bear grabbed one of the men out of the tent by his head and shoulder. The bear dragged him 40 meters before his friend shot their bear while it stood upright on it's hind legs dangling the man by his head. They were able to get medical help via helicopter within a couple of hours. It was a pretty gruesome tale. Who knows, it may be the next real-life adventure movie...
And here's a glance at Sophia's decks...the first snow she's seen in her 31 years!
So far so good on this whole November of Gloom situation. The days are getting noticeably shorter, which became especially apparent as we 'fell back' an hour on Oct. 31st. Currently the sun is officially rising at 8am and setting at 4pm, although we don't see the sun over the trees until around 10:30am. Its angle is so low in the sky that at the height of the day you could swear it was nearing sunset.
Back to the fjell group meeting...we listened to an incredible story of two young Norwegian men that were attempting the first navigation of the Svalbard archipelago, the Norwegian islands to the far north of the mainland above the Arctic circle. It was pretty humorous to see their heavily laden kayaks with food and supplies for the 3-month journey; there was barely enough freeboard to keep water off the decks in a calm sea. Not so humorous was their encounter with a polar bear when they were about half way around. A polar bear grabbed one of the men out of the tent by his head and shoulder. The bear dragged him 40 meters before his friend shot their bear while it stood upright on it's hind legs dangling the man by his head. They were able to get medical help via helicopter within a couple of hours. It was a pretty gruesome tale. Who knows, it may be the next real-life adventure movie...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Our first day
Well, we've made it through the first of November. It was a foggy morning that later gave way to warm sunshine. Karl worked on maintaining the winter water supply line with Janiver, which consists of a hose suspended under the water so it does not freeze. I worked on a paper review. We ended the day at the KNS yacht club meeting where we--the captain and crew of Serenity--received the first place trophy for the regatta series (really, Leif was awarded the trophy, we just stood there and shook the commodore's hand). So far, so good.
How bad can it be?
Ever since we arrived in Norway, people have warned us that November is the most awful month in Norway. "If you can get through November, then you'll survive in Norway!" they have claimed. We've wondered what happens in November? How awful will it be? Will we survive this litmus test of life in Norway? So, as we roll into the month of doom we will chronicle just what is so bad about November in Norway...
Friday, October 22, 2010
Morgen Tur - A Morning Trip
(Yes, I am surreptitiously trying to teach you Norwegian)
The other morning, as I was partaking of my usual routine of doing a little work while drinking my coffee, Karl was messing about on deck and running the engine (which is good practice to keep it in shape over the winter). I wasn't sure what he was up to, but didn't think too much of it as he's been doing lots of boat projects. He then stuck he head below and asked, "Do you want to have a look?" I figured I come on deck to see some project underway, but low and behold we were in the middle of the bay! I was momentarily discombobulated. Then that wonderful sense of freedom welled up in me, like it can with a boat such as Sophia, and far off places filled my mind.
Alas, it was only a short trip (tur) out of the bay on this beautiful morning. We returned to our new slip, where we'll remain for the winter.
The other morning, as I was partaking of my usual routine of doing a little work while drinking my coffee, Karl was messing about on deck and running the engine (which is good practice to keep it in shape over the winter). I wasn't sure what he was up to, but didn't think too much of it as he's been doing lots of boat projects. He then stuck he head below and asked, "Do you want to have a look?" I figured I come on deck to see some project underway, but low and behold we were in the middle of the bay! I was momentarily discombobulated. Then that wonderful sense of freedom welled up in me, like it can with a boat such as Sophia, and far off places filled my mind.
Alas, it was only a short trip (tur) out of the bay on this beautiful morning. We returned to our new slip, where we'll remain for the winter.
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| Scenes from our tour in the bay |
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| Fall colors and lichen on the islets at the mouth of the bay |
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| Hmm, this boat seems to be low in the water?!? A clever "conversion" for a liveaboard |
Gratulerer med dagen!
That's Norwegian for 'Happy Birthday.' It was a fine birthday, too. My heart was warmed by the many well wishes from friends (thanks to Facebook) and cards from family.
On Tuesday (the day before my birthday), Hanne treated Karl and I to an afternoon at the theater -- Next to Normal, the recent Broadway sensation, in Nynorsk (the older Norwegian language). We didn't understand much, but enjoyed it nonetheless. We then went to Hanne and Leif's house for an early dinner with some of their friends. It was delicious! Typical Norwegian fare of trout, potatoes, cucumber salad, and the most spectacular birthday cake you could imagine. Sadly we forgot our camera. So instead you'll have to imagine the white layered cake with wild berries, peaches, bits of chocolate with a whipped cream frosting. Hanne and Leif also gave me a classic piece of Norwegian literature: Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Fortunately they picked up the English translation.
On my actual birthday, Karl surprised me with a new fluffy down comforter, which was perfect timing as it was -6 Celsius that night. He also made me a scrumptious dinner of leg of lamb with roasted root vegetables and flourless chocolate molten cake for dessert. Lucky me!!
It was a truly enjoyable birthday.
On Tuesday (the day before my birthday), Hanne treated Karl and I to an afternoon at the theater -- Next to Normal, the recent Broadway sensation, in Nynorsk (the older Norwegian language). We didn't understand much, but enjoyed it nonetheless. We then went to Hanne and Leif's house for an early dinner with some of their friends. It was delicious! Typical Norwegian fare of trout, potatoes, cucumber salad, and the most spectacular birthday cake you could imagine. Sadly we forgot our camera. So instead you'll have to imagine the white layered cake with wild berries, peaches, bits of chocolate with a whipped cream frosting. Hanne and Leif also gave me a classic piece of Norwegian literature: Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Fortunately they picked up the English translation.
On my actual birthday, Karl surprised me with a new fluffy down comforter, which was perfect timing as it was -6 Celsius that night. He also made me a scrumptious dinner of leg of lamb with roasted root vegetables and flourless chocolate molten cake for dessert. Lucky me!!
It was a truly enjoyable birthday.
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| My Birthday Spread: Leg of Lamb and Roasted Root Vegetables |
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| Making my wish (notice I'm holding the candles which started to melt inside the chocolate molten cake) |
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| I blew the candles out so I'm pretty sure my wish will come true. |
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Ice!
We awoke to a patina of ice on the water about one week ago. It was quite surprising since it had been relatively warm in the days prior (much like Seattle this time of year). Just one cold night (about -2 celcius) was enough to produce a thin layer of ice, although it quickly melted during the day.
But today marked the day the ice did not go away.
Though the sun was quite hot, the ice melted naught.
It remains to be seen what will come of the sheen.
Will it come and go with the day, or has it decided to stay?
The answer, we reason, will tell of the season,
and whether the cold has taken it's hold.
But today marked the day the ice did not go away.
Though the sun was quite hot, the ice melted naught.
It remains to be seen what will come of the sheen.
Will it come and go with the day, or has it decided to stay?
The answer, we reason, will tell of the season,
and whether the cold has taken it's hold.
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