The pump arrived!

On Thursday morning the water pump arrived! Thanks to Haavard for keeping tracking it, it had made its way from Sweden to Oslo then to DK Maritime here in Haroysund. The pump which we originally had was no longer made and so this was as close as we could get to the same. It took a bit of redrilling to fit the it but it looked like it was going to work well. We needed a few bolts of the right size and set about cutting ones we already had down when Terje came along and thought he might have some. They are an American thread so we thought they might be difficult to get nearby. After he checked through his stocks and didn't have the correct size, he said he knew someone who would. Dropping everything he exceptionally kindly took us in to Bud, to the local bus company Atlantic Auto. Incredibly they had the exact bolts we needed and generously gave them to us, what lovely people. With more advice from Terje, Frode and Haavard we had the pump fitted and gave the engine a quick run up. The Volvo sounded really good and ran with ease. We will give it a little sea trial soon. For insurance purposes as we have completed the work on the engine ourselves we will just have the engine as an emergency back up, but its very good to know its there. The Outboards will remain our main form of propulsion and we will be seen doing slower speeds up the coast of Norway! We are already doing something unusual by living aboard a RIB, far from there original planned design, now also we will be travelling at displacement speeds, something we've never seen a RIB do before!! If your going to do something different might as well do it in style! The displacement speed has proved itself as a usable option as we have found from the unplanned for sea trial to arrival in Haroysund.

With all work aboard now completed we are ready to go, having been in Haroysund for around 4 weeks now, it will be sad to leave, but the adventure north awaits!
The weather for crossing Hustadvika needs to be calm, especially with the outboards so we will wait for the right moment, this weekend looks as though there might be a possible chance, but we will wait and see. If need be we will turn back.

On the drive back from Atlantic Auto, Terje stopped by his Beach house, a stunning building right on the waters edge! Traditionally in Norway people will own separate to their main residence either a beach house or a cabin in the hills. With the beach house ideal for summer, for proximity to the sea with the love of boating and fishing. Hill cabins are perfect for the winter for the countless skiing opportunities in Norway, Skiing is again hugely popular. Also a good place for hunting which is another common pastime in Norway. Most of these Hyttes (Cottages) come with the condition that they cannot be lived in all year round, or some with other rules for example no running water etc. They are lovely though and some even bigger than most houses!

Beach houses in Bud

We have particularly enjoyed our walks on the Kyststi, or coastal paths. Graveled tracks which lead you along the coast edge, some with stopping points with picnic tables and shelters. What a lovely way to see the area and watch over the sea. There is also notepads where you can sign your name, a really fun thing to have, and nice way of encouraging people to get out exploring with easy to follow walkways.

Remains from war times

some of the islets and skerries of Hustadvika

Kyststi, lovely walks