Our position is 57:37.059N 11:45.674E

Distance covered 35.6 Nm

We had hoped to get off early the next morning but the complexity of the navigation among the rocks and islands meant it took some time to set up the chart plotter for our passage to the island of Styrso, near Goteberg and it was nearly 9am by the time we were motoring up the channel away from Varberg.

Leaving Varberg. The official boats had the nearest space to the harbourmaster’s office which seemed counterproductive; the Stena Line ferry chose to leave at the same time as we did

The day started sunny and we were soon broad reaching along the coast under genoa alone. The early sun soon disappeared as the day became overcast and showery, culminating in heavy rain across the middle of the day. After that the clouds cleared and the sun came out but the wind died away and we had to motor. Later we were able to sail again as the wind picked up and there were quite a few other yachts also out enjoying the sunshine on the final day of what had been a 4 day holiday for the Swedes.

  From a distance this looked like an oil rig although common sense said it had to be the lighthouse marked on the chart; not sure about the purpose of the platform

  This is not the first time I’ve seen a house with its view blocked by a light tower; it seemed a bleak place to live

  Concentrating on navigating down the lines

  Thankfully this wasn’t for us

Styrso is a small island with 3 harbours but we opted for Sandvik, the largest, which is a fishing harbour as well as a Gasthamn. We successfully negotiated the narrow passage to the north of the island and were soon safely tied up alongside amongst the fishing boats. There seemed to be only one other guest and they turned out to be a Scottish couple on a largish, traditional, wooden motor cruiser. They had been there some days and reported the harbour had been full over the holiday but obviously everyone had gone home. Payment was by machine as usual and there was little to see without a bit of a walk, which the prospect of rain made less attractive. We chatted to some people eating ice cream on the quay by the boat, just outside the little café and walked onto the rocks by the harbour but then it was time for tea.

  The nearly empty guest pontoon

    Moorglade among the fishing boats

  Fishermen chatting on the quayside

  The Scottish motor cruiser and possibly where we should have gone alongside against the tyres

  The rocks have wonderful colours and patterns