Our position is 56:15.989N 16:23.846E

Distance covered 29.6Nm

We set off in good time to get to Gronhogen, in the south of Oland. We had to pass under the bridge linking the island to the mainland again, and because of the shallow water, there is only one place where that is possible, near Kalmar on the mainland side of the sound.

Farewell to Stora Ror

and hello to the Oland bridge again

We hadn’t been able to get an internet connection at Stora Ror and therefore had no up to date weather information, but the older forecasts hadn’t indicated anything too ferocious and we set off broad reaching with full main and jib down to the bridge.

Once through the bridge, however, the wind started to get stronger and stronger. We were soon reefed and the jib rolled, but still close reaching at 7 knots. The flatness of the sea was a bit disconcerting as the wind instruments were showing gusts in excess of 30 knots, which anywhere else would have been accompanied by large waves.

 What passes for a rough sea in the Baltic (we were in the lee of the island)

At least the absence of waves meant we could maintain good speed, and we were soon zipping past the “7 wind turbines of Oland”. According to the pilot book this is one of the biggest offshore installations in the world. I can only assume the book has never been updated since its first edition!

Some of the 7 wind turbines (not many were actually working though)

Before long we were heading in on the leading line to a rather bleak (and empty) little harbour and tying up alongside a fearsome concrete jetty protected by surprisingly effective tyres. Again we had just enough time for a short walk before dinner, after signing in with a very helpful and generous harbourmaster – probably grateful to have any customers!

Approaching Gronhogen

Tied up by the concrete jetty

Interesting roofing material