In 2014 we arrived in Haroysund, Norway under tow from the RS Maersk having had problems 20nm from the Norwegian coastline. We were towed from outside of Bud, to a boatyard in Haroysund and despite the upsetting beginning to our journey we met some really kind and friendly people, both aboard the RS Maersk and at the boatyard in Haroysund. As we have said before, despite the fact we would have obviously never have planned to start our journey in that way, we have since been exceptionally glad how things turned out. The people we met had a real lasting impression on us and possibly it is through their kindness we fell in love with Norway and have been desperate to return. Who knows where we would be now if it wasn't for that introduction.
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| Peaceful surroundings for a kirk! |
In 2014 on our way south we stopped some 8miles away from Haroysund in a island marina in Aukra. While we were there sitting in the club house we looked up to see Lars Kristian, one of the crew of the RS Maersk who had come to our help just a few weeks earlier. Coincidences! Anyway, this time we made sure to stop in the same marina in Aukra. Having been kindly treated to dinner by Lars Kristian and family news had spread and we got a visit from the RS Maersk and crew! Nice to see the Maersk in happier circumstances too and get a chance to catch up with the crew.
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| RS Maersk and crew |
The RS Maersk is quite a sight up close, she dwarfs Quickstep and is packed full of some amazing kit! If they are ever selling her, put my name down for her, twin jet drives would make the close quarter manoeuvres a bit easier and there would be no worry with lack of emergency equipment! The Redningsselskapet is the Norwegian equivalent of the RNLI, although there are some differences. Much like the RNLI many of the RS crew members are voluntary and risk their lives to protect and rescue others at sea, in a nation of boaters they are a crucial part of the emergency service.
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| Our next boat!?! |
Aukra or Gossa, is a relatively flat island (highest point 325ft), which stands out from much of Norways high mountainous landscape. The island is also home to the Ormen Lange Gas terminal, which processes and then pumps gas through one of the worlds longest underwater pipelines to Easington in Yorkshire, the pipeline some 725M long and has a diameter of around 44inch!
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| Views from Aukra |
We went a short walk in Aukra on a sunny day and it would have been fun to stay longer and see more but we were on route back to Haroysund boatyard and so we headed off early evening.
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| Hurtigruten heading South |
Were now in Haroysund, its a strange feeling to be back where our Norway experience first began 22 months ago! A bit of a home from home. The next while will likely be quite busy as we find out the fate of our engine but we hope to be on the "road" again soon!
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| Two eagles |
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