OCTOBER SAILING WITH DAVID
After several days of rain and storms, a high-pressure system was finally moving in. With the forecast looking promising, David and I decided to make the most of it and spend one last weekend in the archipelago before the sailing season came to a close.
We set off at 5 p.m. on Friday, and just as we were ready to cast off, the sun peeked through the clouds. With the early sunsets this year, we initially planned to sail to Hallskär, one of the closest and most beautiful islands in the outer archipelago from Ingarö. However, we quickly realized that sailing there would put us in a flat lee, slowing our progress. So, we adjusted our course and decided to head south instead, eager to make the most of the good weather.
We had an amazing sail toward Biskopsön, cruising along at a solid 6-7 knots the entire way. The sun dipped below the horizon at quarter to six, but there was just enough light when we arrived at Koxviken 45 minutes later. With our headlamps on hand, we carefully navigated the shallows as we approached the shore. We were lucky to have the bay completely to ourselves that night, enjoying the tranquility of being alone on the water.
After mooring the boat and enjoying a well-deserved beer, it was time to prepare dinner. We kept it simple that evening, frying up some sausages with sauerkraut. It was the perfect, hearty meal to end a great day on the water. Yum!
Later that evening, the sky above us transformed into a stunning canvas of stars. The Milky Way was clearly visible, and for the first time, we witnessed the northern lights! While they weren’t easily visible to the naked eye, a longer exposure on the camera revealed unmistakable streaks of green and purple dancing across the sky. It was an magical moment that made the night even more special!
The next morning, we took a stroll around the island. There had been a light rain earlier, and the sky was still a bit overcast at first. But it didn’t take long for the sun to break through, casting a warm glow that made the autumn leaves shimmer on the trees.
We had originally planned to sail on to a new island, but with winds expected to reach 24-30 knots the following night, we couldn’t find any sheltered bays that would offer good protection. So, we decided to take it easy and stay another night in Koxviken. It’s not often we do that, but given the forecast, but with the forecast in mind, it felt like the smartest choice.
So we had a beer and settled in to watch the live broadcast of Seglingens Mästare (Masters of Sailing) on a phone while the pasta simmered on the stove. By then, we had some company in the bay. A sailboat and a motorboat had arrived, taking advantage of the beautiful weather to enjoy the calm waters.
After a few hours and another walk around the island, it was time for dinner. With the sun now gone from the cockpit, we decided to make the most of the remaining daylight. We gathered our things and hiked up to the highest peak overlooking the bay, hoping to soak up the last rays of sun before it set.
We grilled burgers and enjoyed in the sun at the top, making the most of the beautiful evening. Or rather, afternoon, since by 6 p.m., it had already grown dark again. We headed back to the boat, ready to unwind with a thriller on my laptop, accompanied by some cheese and wine.
The sail home on Sunday was pretty windy, with around 22 knots of steady breeze and even stronger gusts. We decided to take it easy and just use the jib, but still managed to cruise at 8 knots. With the season winding down, we didn’t want to risk damaging anything on the last sail of the year. It was a perfect way to wrap up the season. The archipelago is absolutely stunning this time of the year, and moving my boat to Bullandö marina for that bonus month in the fall was definitely the right decision!
