Atlantic ocean, here we come

Crazy shit is going on!

This has been a rather stressful day, it feels a bit like when I left Gävle almost six months ago. Today we are leaving for Tobago which will take approximately 30 days. The boat is ready and now we just going to eat a little meal before going out to the big sea. 

Thank you Las Palmas for the wonderful time you gave us and thank you all the beautiful and awesome people we have hanged out with. 

Antonio, Benoît, Martin and the Captain will see you on the other side...  

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

We have been in Las Palmas for a month now and it is time to move on for sure. Things are starting to get ready but we have had some problems with the propeller since one blade is missing but hopefully we can fix it in the end of this week and then we will ready to cross the ocean. Yesterday we had a Swedish christmas lunch with some pickled herring and meatballs in the cockpit.

Here is a new interview on the local news:  tv 4

Morocco

Salam alikom!

The visit to Morocco has really been a special experience and I both love the country as I find some things a bit strange. We have been to Mohammedia, Casablanca, Marakesh, Safi and currently we are in Agadir. Yesterday a local fisher man in the harbor gave us an octopus that was totally alive, it even tried to flee over board with its strong tentacles. Luckily he had killed the nerve system in the head and he died quite quick. I boiled the slimy animal for a couple of hours, then fried it together with onion, parsley and cos cos. Very tasty I have to tell you.

Now we are about the head for Lanzarote, see you in Spain.

Me gazing at the horizon

Some more pictures

In Almeria 

I have to thank everyone who follow the trip and for all nice comments on the facebook page. We are in Almeria now, me and Martin Lydebrant. Tomorrow we are going to keep on sailing towards Morocco, there we are going to meet up with a friend of Martin and also my little brother Martin Wicksell who are going to stay on the boat for a couple of days. I am looking forward to that a lot. The weather is still very warm but it has starting to bit more windy and the sailing has become a bit tougher.

Me catching a fish a long the east coast of Spain

Amazing sunset

I think the picture speak for itself

A large ship in marina of Alicante 

Another nice sunset, have seen few during these months

Pontus Jansson is chilling on the boat

Simon Larsson is also enjoying the stay on Yoldia

And the Spanish sun

Longboard trip in Alicante, I think I am going to invest in one of those, a bit smaller than a Bike

Simon Larsson again

Beautiful

The boys are chilling, me Simon Larsson and Martin Lydebrant

Long time no seen

Hello!

It has been too long since I wrote here in the blog and that is for sure i shame. If you want to now what has been going on during this time, simply visit the facebook page: Awaiting Forecast/I Väntan På Vinden

To sum this past month I can just say it has been wonderful and I have just been chilling in the Mediterranean. At the moment I am in Alicante and the crew members are Pontus Jansson, Martin Lydebrant och Simon Larsson.

On the video you can see me and Jonas on our way to Ibiza!

Here is a picture of Yoldia anchored in a little bay near La Herradura

Spain Again

Party in Cadiz

 We arrived in Cadiz, Spain late thursday night. For the first time since a came to Spain and Portugal Yoldia had some waves rinsed the deck. My new crew looked a bit pale but the journey over all went well. Unfortunetly I forgot to fill up with gas again so we had an little adventure before I had the engine to work and we could enter the marina. 

Cadiz is a beautiful city and apperantly the oldest in Europe. It has been a hectic weekend with a lot of parties. I really enjoy the company of the new guys and it is an exquisite feeling when we introduce the crew in bars since we come from four different nations, Belgium, France, Australia and Sweden.

Tomorrow we are heading for Gibraltar and in to the mediterranean. 

The crew in a bar somewhere in Cadiz

Belgium Jans feet on the way to Cadiz. He told me it was bit struggle taking the picture due to the rockyness of the ocean.

Some Pictures

Some Pictures

The journey continues in a very slow but steady pace. We are in Olhao near Faro at the moment and today we are going to visit an island near by. Unfortunately new crew member Gyðja Trondardottir has to go home to study but two other guys that I met in Lisbon are coming to join. Yesterday we also met two dudes that are about to sail in the same direction as me the following days. They had similar boat as mine and seemed really down to Earth. We decided to create the slowest sailing boat race in the world. 

Here is a picture of Jonathan and me. He is still a member of the crew and a really good bloke!

The crew are having the best day ever on a hidden beach outside of Lagos!

Rear of Yoldia with the cliffs outside Lagos as Background

Yoldia is enjoying the portugal sun

 Picture of our little passenger!

The wonderful crew are chilling out!

Chilling out in Portugal

Beautiful sailing!

I have now reached Lagos in southern Portugal and while sailing passed the crux of the coast I realized I had been sailing most of the west coast of Europe, which was an amazing realization and very fulfilling feeling. Of the coutries I've been visiting so far I reckon Portugal is the best. The people are awesome and I had some crazy nights in Lisbon. 

Sadly Malcolm had to go home but once again australian Neil were a crew member down to Lagos. Also I had company of nice guy called Jonathan. It istrange because while travelling you meet so many new people that you just leave and then probably never will meet again. I have made so many friends I wish I could take them all on the boat!

The winds have been close to non existant but still, the travelling has been great. I am not sure but it is most likely we saw a shark the other day! The boat had a small winged companion during the day. A sparrow found itself a long way from home so enjoyed a long rest sitting patiently on the starboard railing as we sailed through the atlantic. It was a beautiful thing to behold. 

Now the legs of sailing will get shorter and some swimming and exploring of caves are to come! Bring on beautiful Lagos. We came at a perfect time, the city is celebrating the end of the summer so it will be one big party during the coming days.

Also remember to check the facebook page out:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Awaiting-ForecastI-V%C3%A4ntan-P%C3%A5-Vinden/546135068741528?fref=ts

Bay Of Biscay

Whales and Dolphins

Me and new crew member Malcolm Skalin sailed out of Holland on the 1st of August and headed for Dover in England. Before we left I had to take bath and remove rests of the rope that had stuck into the propeller during the stormy night, when that was all done we left the port. We had a quite calm passage through the English Channel, but the traffic was crazy and for Malcolm sailing for the first time in his life by night it was a real challange. Though we had to watch out for the large ships we had a good trip to Dover except that we entered the wrong hole into the harbour and had to be guided to not crash into the ferries. It had been an advantage to have the VHF-channel to the port but unfortunately had not. We arrived in the pitch black night and couldn't see too much as we came closer to the harbour entrance we were met by a huge ferry. They shone on us with the searchlights and we backed off. Then three more ferries came in and out but after a while a boat came out to us and guided us in to the marina. 

After a couple of days in Dover we left, heading for Plymoth. Though when we had sailed for a while we decided that we didn't need to go that far westward before going south to Spain so we stayed a night in Portsmouth. Next day we sailed out and headed for Coruna, but when we had been sailing for about a day we found out that the propane for the stove had ran out so we went in to Dartmouth. Though when we reached the port we discoverd that it was still gas left in the tube (the pipe must have been clamed or something). The stop was not in vain though since Dartmouth was a really picturesque little town. Anyway now it was finally time for the fearful Bay of Biscay. 

When you have crossed the bay of Biscay you are well worthy a glass of Champange! We have now reached Coruna in nothern Spain and the trip went really well. For more than a day we had company of dolphins, who checked the boat out. One day we were sitting inside watching a movie (we hadn't seen a ship for 24 hours and the wind vane rudder did an excellent job) when Malcolm went out to take a leak. Suddenly he cried out "It's a whale". I was rushing out and thought to myself, did I really fall to that lousy trick. But never the less there was the massive animal not far from our boat. Crazy feeling I have to tell you. 

Tomorrow we will continue the journey down along the Spanish and Portugal coast.

So if you are looking for an adventure you know who to call!

The Northern Sea

Germany and beyond 

Now I have left Germany, it took a long time but since I was alone on the boat I could not do it so much faster. The journey was splended with sunny days and calm winds. When I came to the big channel in Kiel I was quite nervous about entering the large locks with the enormous container ships. When I came to the first lock the light was green so I rushed forward, then suddenly I heard a laud voice in the speakers from the control tower saying. "Swedish sailing boat get out of the way!" I would like to say I did not get less nervous when these words echoed over the water. I folllowed order and called them on the VHF-radio, they answered, talking perfect english and said in a real friendly tone how to do and when to enter the canal. Thank you staff of the Kiel-Canal for so friendly to a newbie like me!

Anyway the rest of the canal trip went smooth and I turned up in Brunsbuttel where my father turned up to join me for a couple of days. It was a really nice to finally have some company and also to get some help with repairs and modifications of the boat. We saild out on Elbe where the boat suddenly picked up a speed of 10 knots on a shitty wind which is extremly fast for a boat like mine. Now I had one more thing to have in mind, the streams. 

We sailed out on the norhern sea and had a couple of days with hardly no wind the ocean was supringsily calm. But when we reached the coast of Holland we ran into a thunder storm in the middle of the night. I never been sailing in stronger winds and the waves were massive. We didn't sleep for the whole night and since the wind increased instead of went out we decided to retreat into Holland. Here we are now and my dad is flying home while a friend called Malcolm Skalin going to join me tomorrow. Thank you dad for all the help and for beeing an awesome crew member. On thursday the journey continues to England!

A crazy night

A crazy night

Sunday morning I left Bornholm, going towards Germany. The weather was not too good, strong winds and high waves even outside of Bornholms marina but I could do 6-7 knots in the right direction so I was really tempted to go anyway. That was probably the worst decision ever made this trip, the waves were increasing as I got out on the open ocean and I couldn’t put the wind vane rudder on because I had to dodge every single wave. Which was meaning I couldn’t make any food or do anything else than steering the boat. I was wet from top till toe and hungry obviously when suddenly our already broken genua-sail broke even more so I had to roll it in and start the engine. It went quite fine and I reached the German coast when I ran out of gas. After a few tries I managed to put some diesel in the tank during the big waves, but it turned out that I had made the engine totally dry and I couldn’t start it. I had no other choice than putting the large sail up, which went better than expected and I continued my trip. I took shelter behind the large island Rugen and the waves got a lot smaller, so I could put some warm clothes on and grabbed a couple of tins of corn. I decided to head for Sanssitz but it was starting to get dark and I realized I had to sail in to the narrow, unknown harbour by night. I actually did that really well and found a spot to moor on the inside of the large peer surrounding the town. I was really happy when had made the boat in to safety and went to sleep instantly.

Now I have fixed the engine, am rested and in a good mood so tomorrow I will continue my journey and head for Rostock. I’ve been learning many lessons out of this route so I hope I won’t do the same unnecessary mistakes again.

       

At last I want to say respect to all of you alone-sailors out there, you are mental!

Karl

13th of July

Chilling out in Bornholm

For the first time in my life I was sailing the boat alone this Thursday when I went from Karlskrona to here, Bornholm. I had a really nice time as well as the night was calm and quiet, and thanks to our wind vane rudder I could chill out a lot. It was an awesome feeling to be sitting in the boat reading and writing while heading out on the open sea with the wind blowing from behind. Yesterday I didn’t do that much in Rönne (Capital of Bornholm) because I had to sleep when I arrived at 8 am in the morning. Though when the evening came I went out for a couple of drinks and had a great time. Rönne is one the most beautiful towns I have been to, with the small houses made of wood and bricks. Tomorrow I will try to leave quite early and set the course for Germany, it seems like I will be doing that part of the trip alone as well but now I’m more confident so it won’t be problem.

Do not forget to check the facebook site out too

Karl 

All alone

In Karlskrona, heading for Bornholm

Last Sunday, we arrived in Karlskrona, here we have now been for a few days and we have for example picked up a life raft that had been commissioned here. Sailing here has gone well attributed to the constant headwind. Today Jonas went home to work and I will sadly sail alone on the ship until further notice. Tomorrow they have promised northern winds so I continue the journey towards Bornholm myself as I’m longing for the sea already. The stay in Karlskrona was very pleasant, but it is time to sail on. It is approximately 50 nautical miles to Bornholm from here so there should be no worries now that the wind vane rudder is installed.

If you want to follow for a bit, just send me an email to awaitingforecast@gmail.com Now I will fill up some gas and make the boat ready for the trip tomorrow.

Karl

I Karlskrona, siktar mot Bornholm

I söndags anlände vi i Karlskrona, här har vi nu legat i några dagar och bland annat plockat upp en livflotte som blivit beställd hit. Seglingen hit har gått bra trotts den ständiga motvinden. Idag mönstrade Jonas av och jag blir dessvärre ensam på skutan tills vidare. Imorgon har de lovat nordliga friska vindar så jag fortsätter färden ner mot Bornholm på egen hand då längtan till havet redan har gjort sig påtaglig. Vistelsen i Karlskrona var mycket angenäm, det är dock dags att segla vidare. Det är ungefär 50 sjömil till Bornholm härifrån så det ska inte vara någon fara nu när vindrodret är installerat.

Är det så att du är intresserad av att följa med en bit så är det bara att dra iväg ett mail till awaitingforecast@gmail.com Nu ska jag tanka upp lite diesel och göra båten redo för färden imorgon.

Karl

On our way/På väg

Ahoy!

Finally we are on our way! Yesterday we began our jurney and headed out from Gävle Bay, we got a very beautiful farewell from the dock in Gavleån, thank you to everyone who came, and waved. We were very tired when we left Gavle and went down against Bjorn's Lighthouse with sails. Jonas had to take the first watch and I fell asleep almost immediately. 

After a wonderful night sailing with distant thunder clouds that blotted their for us silent lightings we came out on the Åland Sea, here, it was worse, the wind was still coming from the South, and not surprisingly, we had to start going towards the wind. After many hours, we had sailed between Åland and Sweden two or three times without taking us significantly in the right direction. 

When we finally got down to the southern tip of Åland the wind became considerably stronger and huge walls of water were washing over the boat. She resists very well and we were not concerned in any way but sailing towards the wind by that force from Åland to Öland in the worn condition we were in, was not a good idea, we docked in Mariehamn instead, awaiting forecast. A wise decision, dinner and shower tasted really good, 

tomorrow we head for Öland again!

Karl

Position: Mariehamn Marina N 60° 05' 57” E 29° 56' 55”

Articles and interviews in Swedish media:

http://www.svt.se/nyheter/regionalt/svtgavleborg/baten-som-ska-ta-dem-jorden-runt

http://www.tv4.se/nyheterna/klipp/ska-segla-jorden-runt-2389217

http://arbetarbladet.se/nyheter/gavle/1.6036001-nu-ar-de-ute-pa-havet

http://www.tv4.se/nyheterna/klipp/karl-oskar-och-jonas-ska-segla-jorden-runt-2382494

http://gd.se/nyheter/gavle/1.6032862-halla-dar-jonas-olsson-

http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=99&artikel=5577379

http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=99&artikel=5554570

 Skepp och hoj!

Äntligen är vi på väg! Igår lossade vi förtöjningarna och styrde ut från Gävlebukten, vi fick ett väldigt härligt avsked från kajen i Gavleån, tack alla ni som kom dit och vinkade av. Vi var mycket trötta när vi lämnade Gävle och gick ner mot Björns fyr med hissade segel. Jonas fick ta första vakten och jag somnade ganska omgående. 

Efter en härlig nattsegling med avlägsna åskmoln som blottade sina blixtar mot havet så kom vi ut på Ålands Hav, här gick det sämre, vinden låg fortfarande på Syd och inte helt oväntat fick vi lov att börja kryssa. Efter många timmar hade vi seglat mellan Åland och Sverige två-tre gånger utan att ha tagit oss märkbart i rätt riktning. 

När vi till slut kommer ner till Ålands sydspets börjar det blåsa upp rejält och stora väggar av vatten sköljer över båten. Hon står emot väldigt bra och någon oro är inte att fråga om men att kryssa i denna vind från Åland till Öland i det slitna skick vi befann oss i var det inte tal om, vi länsade istället in i Mariehamn i väntan på vinden. Ett klokt beslut, då middag och dusch smakade, imorgon tar vi nya tag!

Karl

Position: Mariehamns Gästhamn N 60° 05' 57” E 29° 56' 55”

Media:

http://www.svt.se/nyheter/regionalt/svtgavleborg/baten-som-ska-ta-dem-jorden-runt

http://www.tv4.se/nyheterna/klipp/ska-segla-jorden-runt-2389217

http://arbetarbladet.se/nyheter/gavle/1.6036001-nu-ar-de-ute-pa-havet

http://www.tv4.se/nyheterna/klipp/karl-oskar-och-jonas-ska-segla-jorden-runt-2382494

http://gd.se/nyheter/gavle/1.6032862-halla-dar-jonas-olsson-

http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=99&artikel=5577379

http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=99&artikel=5554570

One week left/En vecka kvar

Modifications 

Our beautiful Yoldia has gone through a lot of changes the past few weeks and is slowly but surely begin to resemble a long sailor. We can without exaggeration call her a modified Vega, below is a list of some changes that have been made:

• Self draining holes are now bigger and a new pump is installed

• The door is reinforced inside with ribs of oak

• A wind vane is installed on the transom of the model Wind Pilot Pacific

• A bathing platform to set the gas cylinder on is also installed on the transom.

• Our 4-horsepower outboard motor is attached to the transom

• A home built bowsprit is fitted in the bow where we will attach an extra forestay.

• New batteries are installed and the electrical center for these and a solar panel is built.

• Working lights on the mast and an anchor light at masthead are connected.

• Gps by Lawrance, a speedometer and a cigarette lighter socket compliment now more the cockpit.

There is now only one week left until departure, and there is still much to do. Is there anyone who wants to take part of this project financially and have stickers or the like attached to the boat, only to hear from you. Or maybe there is someone who wants to join for a distance ahead. You can reach us at awaitningforecast@gmail.com or our facebook page.

Karl

Modifieringar

Vår vackra Yoldia har gått igenom en hel del förändringar de senaste veckorna och börjar sakta men säkert börja att likna en långseglare. Vi kan utan att överdriva kalla henne en modifierad Vega, nedan kommer en lista på några byggnationer som gjorts:

• Självlänsen är utbytt och en länspump är installerad. Detta för att länshålen i vegan är ganska små och kommer en brottsjö vill vi snabbt bli av med vattnet
• Luckan är förstärkt inifrån med ribbor av ek.
• Ett vindroder är installerat på akterspegeln av modell Windpilot Pacific
• En badplattform att ställa gasoltuben på är också installerat på akterspegeln.
• Vår 4 hästkrafters utombordare är fäst på akterspegeln
• En hemmasnickrad peke är monterad i fören där vi kommer att fästa ett extra förstag.
• Nya batterier är installerade och en el-central för dessa samt solcell och lite annat är byggd.
• Arbetsbelysning i masten samt en ankarlanterna i masttoppen är inkopplade.
• Gps av märket Lawrance, en knopmätare och cigguttag förgyller nu mer sittbrunnen.

Det är nu bara en vecka kvar till avfärd och det återstår fortfarande mycket att göra. Är det någon som vill ta del av detta projekt ekonomiskt och ha dekaler eller liknande fastsatta på båten är det bara att höra av er. Eller det kanske rent utav är någon som vill följa med på sträcka framöver. Det går att nå oss på awaitningforecast@gmail.com eller vår facebook-sida.

Karl

Welcome spring!

Hard work work!

The spring is finally approaching at the moment and we are working really hard with the boat. Last week has been given to for instance sanding the hull and tearing out the wall tapestry in the forepeak, where the rubber has become old and crumbling. We have also sanded and painted wooden grab rails on deck, it became really neat actually. Last weekend we got a lot of equipment from a friend of my father. Including an outboard motor, a harness for mast climbing and ropes with proper springs. The latter is excellent because it can easily creak cursedly in the moorings. Many thanks to Mary-Jane!

Quite a lot studying to the navigation certificate has been made aswell, it may well be good to be able to set a proper course if you're going to cross the Atlantic ocean. Next week there will be continued work combined with a little celebration of the end of April holiday.

Karl

Slit på Fliskär!

"Vintern rasat ut bland våra fjällar, drivans blommor smälta ned och dö". Nu nalkas våren på riktigt och rusten är i full gång. Veckan som varit har ägnats åt att bland annat slipa skrovet och riva ut väggtapeten i förpiken, där gummit under blivit gammalt och vittrat sönder. Vi har även slipat och teakat trädetaljer på däck, blev riktigt snyggt faktiskt. Förra helgen fick vi en hel del utrustning av en vän till min far. Däribland en utombordsmotor, en sele för mastklättring samt linor med ordentliga fjädrar. De sistnämnda är ypperliga eftersom att det lätt kan knaka så förbaskat i förtöjningarna. Stort tack till Mary-Jane!

En hel del läsning inför provet till skepparexamen har också gjorts, det kan ju vara bra att kunna ta ut en kurs om man ska korsa Atlanten. Nästa vecka blir det fortsatt jobb på pärlan kombinerat med lite firande av sista april.

Karl

Preparations/Förberedelser

First of July!

Time goes by terrible quickly and though winter season still holds on in Gävle at the moment, the date of departure is approaching fast. The preparations are continuing and we are looking up equipment for our boat quite a lot. For example we have bought a VHF by the model HX-851E. It’s a handheld device with a GPS-transmitter which can come to good use in a misfortunate accident. 

The planed route is to departure from Gävle on the first of July with course set on Öland and Borgholm, then further on to Kiel-canal. We’ve calculated this to take approximately two weeks depending on weather. Do you want to join for a couple weeks or maybe more, 
send us an e-mail or something and let us know!

Karl

Första juli!

Tiden går fruktansvärt fort och trots att vintern fortfarande håller ett järngrepp om Gävle så är det inte alls långt till avfärd. Förberedelserna fortsätter och vi kollar för fullt på utrustning till vår 27fotare, bland annat har en VHF införskaffats av modellen HX-851E. Det är en handburen VHF med inbyggd GPS-sändare som kan komma väl till pass vid ett haveri eller liknande missöde. 

Den planerade rutten är att avgå från Gävle den 1a juli med sikte mot Öland och Borgholm, därefter vidare ner mot Kielkanalen. Detta förutsatt god vind och andra gynnsamma faktorer beräknas ta ungefär två veckor. Är det någon som redan nu vill anmäla sig på denna rutt eller kanske till och med längre så hör gärna av er!

Karl