A diversion to Trollfjord, then north via Tjellsund to Finnsnes

Rosinis heads to Svalbard
Bob Hendicott
Mon 2 Jul 2018 08:58
We had already decided it would be worth diverting to see Trollfjord (68:21.8N 14:57.1E), one of the most picturesque fjords in Norway, but our decision was further reinforced by our hosts of last night.  Although the wind was light and we did a lot of motoring, the conditions and scenery remained outstanding and we all really enjoyed a very relaxed morning, arriving off Trollfjord at 1100.  Only 100m wide at its narrowest, with near vertical cliffs each side and snow capped mountains at its head, it surpasses anyone’s expectations of a typical Norwegian fjord.  Although there were a couple of other boats there we didn’t lose the sense of beauty of the place, and lingered in the sun at the head of the fjord enjoying the atmosphere.  As we left we went as close to the cliff as we dared – nosing in to less than a boat’s length from the rock, still with 40m of water under the keel, looking at the underwater profile on our forward scan sonar.
 
Then it was on our way again, initially re-tracing steps, then turning east towards Lodingen (68:24.6N 16:00.6E) at the southern end of Tjellsund, which is the main north-south thoroughfare through the Lofotens towards Tromso.  We now needed to divide up the remaining distance across our 2-3 remaining days, allowing enough time to see Tromso and pack up Rosinis before we fly home on Wed.  So we pushed on as far up Tjellsund as we could until the tidal stream became too strong, and then anchored at Sandtorg, just south of the Steinlandsstraum bridge which connects the island of Hinnoy to the mainland.  For the first time our shorts made an appearance throughout the afternoon and into the evening.  Although it was 2200 we only stopped for 3 hours before we were able to continue again, with our first real view of the midnight sun to our north and an almost full moon just above snow-capped mountains to our south east.  It was a lovely contrast with the conditions only a week previously when we’d struggled to see the midday sun.  We’re now aiming for Finnsnes, just under 40nm from Tromso, and we’ll stop there before continuing again in the early hours of tomorrow.  Whether we sail in the day or ‘at night’ is immaterial as it’s all daylight; just a good bit cooler in the early hours.  The landscape is more gentle here, with neatly mown grass meadows rolling down to the water’s edge.......Steve described it as making the Swiss look positively untidy! 
 
Attached photos show mountain reflections in Raftsund as we approached Trollfjord; several shots of Trollfjord, including the view on our instruments of the underwater profile; the wide expanse of Tjellsund as we headed north, and the midnight sun (defined as being due north of our position) as we left our anchorage at Sandtorg.

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