By bbalme - 22 Mar 2019
Toodle-oo! is heading to Norway this year - from the Outer Hebrides. We're planning to sail directly to the Lofoten Islands in June, then spend 2 months in Norway as we make our way gently south.
Are we going in the 'wrong direction' (north to south vs. south to north)? (Feels like everyone goes south to north...)
Any words of wisdom for transiting from Stornaway up to Lofotens? (No, unfortunately we don't feel we have time to stop at the Orkneys or Shetlands)
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By simoncurrin - 22 Mar 2019
Bill,
It's a shame you can't stop in the Orkneys and Shetlands as the wildlife there is better than most of Norway.
We did the offshore passage direct to the Lofotens in 2007 and came south via the coastal route. Apart from oil rigs and cold watches it does not present any unusual difficulties. We were lucky to get north westerlies which made for a fast and comfortable passage. Your landfall will presumably be among the islands of the southern Lofotens which are more rarely visited but have good, safe harbours. For the cold I would strongly recommend weezle suits https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/292744059944?chn=ps which I am sure you would find most becoming!
One more thought. If the wind directions aren't quite right then do consider going via the Faroes which, for you aren't much more than a day or two north of Stornaway and would fit nicely with a trip to St Kilda.
I think you will have a great summer.
Simon
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By Dick - 22 Mar 2019
[quote=Bill Balme]Toodle-oo! is heading to Norway this year - from the Outer Hebrides. We're planning to sail directly to the Lofoten Islands in June, then spend 2 months in Norway as we make our way gently south.
Are we going in the 'wrong direction' (north to south vs. south to north)? (Feels like everyone goes south to north...)
Any words of wisdom for transiting from Stornaway up to Lofotens? (No, unfortunately we don't feel we have time to stop at the Orkneys or Shetlands)[/quote]
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By Dick - 22 Mar 2019
Hi Bill,
You will have fronts marching west to east so it is unlikely that you will have reasonable winds your whole trip. But as Simon mentions, there are wonderful destinations along the route that can either be planned for or used as bale-out.
We left Lerwick in 2014 with a good forecast with the Lofotons in mind and got headed after a couple of days and went into Kristiansund. From there we worked our way N along the mainland coast. This worked out well for us as we came S by staying more in the out-lying skerries rather than along the mainland coast: both were fascinating and wonderful. This we took 3 months to do heading finally back to Lerwick where Alchemy spent the winter. Then we had another season in Norway concentrating on the southern parts. Its all good.
BTW, Stornoway to the Faroes is merely an overnight and the Faroes are wonderful cruising grounds. The Orkneys and the Shetlands (and Fair Isle) are really special in their own way: sort of a wonderful amalgam of Scotland/Ireland and the Scandinavian countries. (That is probably way too glib, but…)
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
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