Awaiting the British midnight we listened to the BBC radio 4s shipping forecast and our hoped for weather window appeared to have disappeared. Setting the alarm for 4am just in case we woke from a disturbed sleep to a fresh breeze outside. Again double checking the online forecasts it seemed as if our hopes of a calm crossing or indeed a crossing at all were dashed. Heading back to bed with mixed feelings, disappointment at the weather as well as feeling happy that we might be able to spend more time exploring Norway. One of the forecasts updated regularly seemed to be more optimistic than the others for later on, so when we woke at 7am we decided to have a look out to sea, agreeing to turn back if weather wasn't in our favour.
A quick sort of the boat and we departed Hardbakke in to a uncomfortable sea, the sea began to soften but just as quickly we would be back in to short sharp seas with swell over 3 meters. We all agreed, which is important, to carry on for a bit. As we carried on the forecast suggested we were heading in to calmer winds and seas so we made the decision to keep going. The shortrer crossing seemed necessary with the boat taking a battering and we were stuck around the 13knots the entire journey. The oil fields and gas fields were a sight in the daylight, and we were glad not to have the fog which we had on our trip across. Having avoided Seasickness so far it was Amanda's turn to feel a bit rough, and having barely suffered seasickness before she gained a new degree of empathy!
The crossing continued long and unpleasant and the sight of shetlands braes brought a welcome relief. Pulling in to Unst we were officially back on british land and we celebrated the successful crossing by having a fish and chips at the most northernly hotel in Scotland. A tiring day we headed to bed, just catching some folk heading in from fishing we were amazed at the huge cod they had caught, I guess fishing isn't just for the Norwegians!
Being back in Britain gave us time to reflect on our time in Norway, from our arrival in Norway until the moment we left we have met the most beautiful kind people and seen scenery we will never forget. Every second has given us memories we will cherish forever. we are all sad to have left Norway, an adventure so vital to us all in many ways, but are all already planning our next journeys there.
A quick sort of the boat and we departed Hardbakke in to a uncomfortable sea, the sea began to soften but just as quickly we would be back in to short sharp seas with swell over 3 meters. We all agreed, which is important, to carry on for a bit. As we carried on the forecast suggested we were heading in to calmer winds and seas so we made the decision to keep going. The shortrer crossing seemed necessary with the boat taking a battering and we were stuck around the 13knots the entire journey. The oil fields and gas fields were a sight in the daylight, and we were glad not to have the fog which we had on our trip across. Having avoided Seasickness so far it was Amanda's turn to feel a bit rough, and having barely suffered seasickness before she gained a new degree of empathy!
The crossing continued long and unpleasant and the sight of shetlands braes brought a welcome relief. Pulling in to Unst we were officially back on british land and we celebrated the successful crossing by having a fish and chips at the most northernly hotel in Scotland. A tiring day we headed to bed, just catching some folk heading in from fishing we were amazed at the huge cod they had caught, I guess fishing isn't just for the Norwegians!
Being back in Britain gave us time to reflect on our time in Norway, from our arrival in Norway until the moment we left we have met the most beautiful kind people and seen scenery we will never forget. Every second has given us memories we will cherish forever. we are all sad to have left Norway, an adventure so vital to us all in many ways, but are all already planning our next journeys there.
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