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Morvenna 2023
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  • Austen Davies
  • Claire Davies

Morvenna 2023

First year of our sailing trip in our Ovni 435 Morvenna. Looking forward to some great adventures with Rob and Gretel Shaw Read more
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  • Morvenna 2023

    Andalsnes

    July 23, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Little trip down Norways 11th favourite Fjord. Climbing sking mecca and an epic cycle up the zig zag to the peek.
    Also met up with Lee and Caroline of white cloud again after not having seen them since stornoway. We drink most of a bottle of rum and a bottle of champagne ale brought with him. Great conversation hope to catch up again soonRead more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Vollvika

    July 18, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    On our way to geiranger for a second visit . We thought Gretel would have to see it before she went home. We were half way there on our back from our. And needed so.ewhere to hold up for tea and a nights sleep. On the previous trip we had pulled into stordal . An un remarkable town with furniture making heritage. And as I remember mud night skinny diapers next to the boat. This time we were motoring past this little nitch and decided to take a look. We crept in st half impulse speed making sure there were no surprises. As we got into the back of this steep sided hole. We noticed some mooring steels. Drilled into the rock. Even next to the edge the water depth was 65 Metres. It was coming to be a tie in. Out came the long ropes and the dinghy was launched. Rob and Grets pulled lines to the the 3 steels. We tensioner up and we were as snug a a bug 7 or 8 metres from the cliff face. Top fun. In the morning it was time to stretch our legs. We had spotted a pontoon and path leading up a steep hill. That was to be the morning work out. 300 vertical through the trees. We then stumbled on an old viking farm shortage site there was no road access to this place and pretty difficult by boat. I sat down for a rest and after a few minutes a young women looking very sleepy popped her head out of the building and invited us in for coffe. I wasnt expecting that. In we went to this period world be looked after by couple of university students for the summer. Kajsa and Norunn. Naked cinema buns for us and told us all about the epic sking in the area. The March metre is a definate. Magnet to return . Top entertainment for the morning and a proper surprise.Read more

  • Morvenna 2023

    20 Knt Birthday sail to Sjeonget

    July 7, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    After a nice day in downtown Trondheim, we had to get out of the city centre canal via the lifting bridge at 1720. As we went out of the outer harbour it was obvious a good sail was going to be had 12 knots just of the wind we could aim at the entrance to the Fjord 10 miles NE and we hit 6.5 kts as soon as the sails went up. We even had another boat to race (they didn’t know) we gave the a head start of about a mile but they had no chance as the might Morvenna wound up. Claire steered well and rolled her eyes as I trimmed the sails in full race mode. The wind built to a steady 18kts we creamed along at 8kts. The competition had no chance. They sailed as if they were having a nice week end away. As we reached the entrance to the fjord the wind reached 20 plus as it funnelled and we peaked at 9.5 kts we had another 10 miles to run on this evening adventure. We had pick out a likely anchorage. Looked perfect.
    It wasn’t as the wind died in the lee of the anchorage we could see the industrial cooling chimneys of a giant processing plant . Luckily the anchorage was sheltered, had good holding and was more or less out of range of the plant . Cheese and pickle sandwich then bed.

    Strangely this is to be the furthest North we will go on this trip and everything else will we South for the foreseeable future. Seems a strange place to be our ultimate destination. Still no seas otters for Claire    Read more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Trondheim birthday

    July 6, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Rob got up early and caught the flight. Back to Gatwick. After big foot left at 5am🤫 Claire and I decided to head north up this dead end fjord while there was some wind. We had a nice solid 16kts of breeze and headed to the entrance of the narrows At 8.5kts
    At the narrows the wind headed and increased to 18 to 20 kts . Lazy holiday mode kicked in and we bore away for a 2 gybe run to Trondheim 14 miles away. And the promises of birthday tea for Claire and a Micky d for me. We would be able to park the boat right in the middle of town but would have to wait for 2 lifting bridges. On pedestrian an un believably the train bridge was a lifter too. Parked outside the train station an now off for tea. Of when Claire has finished another row of her Norwegian hat . After a beer or 2 in the old part of town, and then finding you have to book for posh birthday restaurants. Luckily a hot tip pointe dat a stylish Italian restaurant. Both of us over fed. We went to bed with food babies.

    Next day was shopping for presents and clostridium were the order of the day. Mostly with Em Youldons wedding in mind    Read more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Krakvag

    July 4, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Yet another last minute pop in to anchor. Last stop before Trondheim and dropping Rob off as he is out of Schengen days. The Journey here from Flatoya was one big rock stren channel. But we had pretty good sailing conditions for the best part of it. We passed about 20 small boats amongst the rocks all hoping for a big cod, we managed to slide between them almost silently doing 5 kts in 7.5Ktss of breeze.
    Claire and I walked the Whole island circumference in and hour and a half while Rob fished off the southern point in the dinghy. 2 Mackerel for lunch tomorrow.
    It looked so perfect that after supper I took the dinghy on a fishing trip in the red light of the evening and sat out in the glassy sea    Read more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Flatoya

    July 3, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Well here’s an out of the way spot. Claire had read that there was a good chance of seeing sea eagles and otters. So we set off at the crack of 10 am after a hearty lay in.
    With a sailing distance of 27 miles to cover. But unfortunately as always it was going to be up wind. We hadn’t sailed much for a while, due to light wind etc. So we thought we ought to give it a go and be proper sailers. We tacked nearly 43 miles mostly through rocky channels. We even saw some swell out in the open ocean. Mostly 10 to 12 knots of breeze in clear conditions,all in all a good sail.

    As we entered the rocky passage between flatoya and litldola we saw a baby sea eagle up on one of the mini islands. A good start, as we snuck up the passage of the this low lying rocky island we saw an adult sea eagle over our chosen anchorage. Still no Otters for Claire. The Anchor crabbed on a rock rather than burying. Fingers crossed. We lowered the dinghy in and went a shore in the evening light to see what there was on this un inhabited island. First wee got a display from the hooded crows on how to see off 2 sea eagles. Then a short walk through the enchanted forest, a very quiet place. As we found our way out onto the seaward side of the island it was obvious that these out of the way island collect all of the sea floats under and jetson it was very sad to see just how much rubbish collects in these isolated places. The wild life is living in amongst it all, including the elusive Otter.    Read more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Nordvagen Via Stoplan passage

    July 2, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    So the rock hopping starts here. Definitely only for a nice day this one. Rocks. Narrows passages and weird navigation aids. But pretty all the same. There is a seaward route but it is very open to the nasty North Sea swells. And we have become flat water sailers.Read more

  • Morvenna 2023
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    Ona

    June 30, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    This again was a quick pop in on the way to Trondheim. A dodgy wiggle through the rocks, sees you into the tiny colourful harbour. 16 inhabitants supported by 4 ferries a day. Norway has unbelievable infrastructure. We spent 2 hours walking round the island and considered a hand knit jumper for Claire, which was rejected at the last moment.
    Left by 11am and now for some proper rock dodging as we head north    Read more

  • Morvenna 2023
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    Alensund

    June 27, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Just popped in to do the laundry. No sign of a laundrette. Just 2 cruise ships with nearly 8000 people on and 2 smaller cruise ships in for a short stop. This happens every day . The Norwegian jumper shop was totally overwhelmed.Read more

  • Morvenna 2023
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    Geiranger

    June 25, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    The Fjord running up to Geirfanger is absolutely stunning. The photos, in the previous post do not do it justice. Just thought I would put a little reminder of geiranger town here as the cruise ship industrty here is just huge. And to remind myself of the help and advice from “haven Voyager” who owners I never new there name. And to say thanks for the Kiwi GripRead more

  • Morvenna 2023
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    Urke

    June 24, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Well here we are in the fjords proper. Water 500 to 1000m deep and mountains over 1500m straight out of the water and boom today the wind is in the right direction. Let’s forget all of the warnings and goose wind down the middle of the Hjorund fjorden what a day, 8 kts through the water in the most amazing scenery. We were heading to Norangsvika to look at the period Victorian hotel but in the sunshine we decide to stop at what looked like a bar. Very few and far between in Norway. It was and we pulled up at there pontoon. With some other Norwegian yachts. After a long steady walk up hill and into the valley. We returned to the bar to drink outrageously expensive beer and have Klipfisk Bacuela for tea. (Salted cod) it was really very good. We sat and drunk with some locals one was a vet and one was a fish farm scientist. Rob made friends with the local ski guide and exchanged details. He is still dreaming of the winter here.Read more

  • Morvenna 2023
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    Runde Island

    June 23, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    After a couple of dull days dodging weather in one of Norways weirdest out of the way towns. We made a plan to go to Runde Island. Famous for its Puffins and other cliff dwelling birds. The weather wasn’t perfect, But the passage was short although included 2 rocky wriggles and a bridge 2 metres higher than out mast. As always the wind was on the nose but sailable out of the harbour. And then behind the beam 25 kts plus for the bridge section. By the time we reached Runde which is a narrow stone built breakwater with only room for 2 yachts it was gusting nearly thirty. We had to hold onto the sails right until the entrance. Just t o stay on our coarse. Through the front door of the harbour, quick left turn. Bugger there’s already a yacht on the pontoon. I think there’s enough room, so straight in without fenders and only a centre mooring line. We could not of held our position with just engine so it was best to get tied on and sort the mess after.

    Rain turned up as we tidied up the boat. So we stayed on board for a cupper before togging up for a bird search. We walked to the other end of the island and 3/4 of the way up the cliffs when the big rainstorm arrived. WE quit without seeing a puffin.    Read more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Fosnavåg

    June 21, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    It was going to be windy, so we thought it wise to tie up to a pontoon in the shelter for the evening. Looked on the Go marina app for any likely spots. And this place was almost on our route. I never been to a place that felt more like a cardboard set from a film western. Loads of development, no people hardly any useful shops and zero traffic. What is this town for. Shops were empty the hotel was empty the bar was empty. To this day I don’t know what this town does. Thoroughly weird.Read more

  • Morvenna 2023
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    Flatoyna via Statt peninsula

    June 20, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    So the Statt penninsula comes with a big reputation. It even has a phone help line to see if it is safe to transit. It is so disruptive to the Norwegian infrastructure that the Norwegians have a plan to tunnel through it with a tunnels big enough to take a ship. We left Sejva and headed round the back for a hickory look at he monastery. Before heading round the Statt, Luckily for us the gods let us pass without drama. In fact it it was absolutely zero swell and zero wind. It is quite an imposing piece of rock and we were pleased to see it at its best. Once rounded we looked for an anchorage and spotted a nice pool through a very tricky shallow access. After negotiating the entrance and arriving at the pool, we put the anchor down and put the kettle on for a brew. A call from the shore, in this out the way place, shouted. You cant stay here its forbidden. Why. Its a bird sactuary. Up anchor and reverse track for us. We then had to pick another spot on the map and It was Flatoya. Who knows what it looked like. But we motored 10km there in the golden late day light. Wiggled through a very narrow passage and anchored in glass conditions. No tea this time it was time for a beer and mrs D made supper.Read more

  • Morvenna 2023
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    Selje

    June 19, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Last stop before going, round the Statt peninsula, and the place that Nick and spoons will hope on the ferry back to Bergen and return to the real world via Amsterdam.
    But not before one last beach BBQ and Nick Signature smoked prawns.
    We anchored in a little Mitch a mile opposite town, amongst the rocks and the Island. One local called by to see if we had run aground. The day was scotching and some swims to shore were had by the girls. Pier pressure meant it was my turn to and I followed Claire to the beach where we planned a small fire and to cook tea. No point getting in nicks way when he has a plan and smoking Prawns in Steiner wood dust was todays plan. Cold beers, wine, beach fire and smoked prawns in the sun, what could be a better way to say bye and thanks to Nick and Spoons.    Read more

  • Morvenna 2023
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    Hamnen

    June 18, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Without much of a plan in the world, we headed down some likely looking fjords. Sides getting steeper and higher the further we went. Eventually on the corner we spotted the highest peek yet . So big the scale was impossible to judge. Rob had his binoculars out and spotted a Via Ferratti going up the entire mountain to the peek some with some very treacherous overhangs and man made shelves. This is the most challenging route I have ever seen . We pottered past and found and anchoring hole just off the main channel. Bearing in mind the main channel is 400 to 800 metres deep, anchoring is a luxury, Again this was a dreaming anchorage and not a sole to be seen.
    As it turns out he peninsula that were on had a fair bit of second world was history and our walks revealed a lot of the German installation that were here to protect there North Atlantic fleet. Take a look at the picks places like this don’t grow on trees. Rob and I also had a chance to stock the fridge with a little drift fishing in the main channel. Rob visible in one high altitude shot.    Read more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Svanoy

    June 17, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    After the Morning walk we decide do go and gets the boat and sail it round to Svanoy on the north-of the island. The main reason for the move was to use the washing machines and get showers. As it turned out we experienced the un manned shop, Cameras and contactless sales. We met a whale local whale boat captain called, amnesia . And we swam multiple times, once loosing my only bank card to the bottom of the sea. And we drunk beer in the sun that didn’t go down. All in all another good day.Read more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Kvalstadvagen

    June 16, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    This was todays anchorage, obviously we are now struggling to find perfect little bits of paradise and we had to settle for this one. It had several contenders for house of the day and the fishing wasn’t too bad either. After Mackerel tea and beers we went to bed with and Island walk planned for the morning.
    Sunny again, Norways reputation for rain wasn’t holding up. So warm we had all the hatches open duvets adrift. Dingy to shore. Nick was spotting some foraging opportunities on the dock as we landed for our walk. Some nice big juicy muscles. The island seems to be mainly rain deer farming but I’m sure that’s not the case. Beautiful walk to Svanoy up hill and down dale. Where we came across our first ever in manned shop.    Read more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Skifjorden

    June 15, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Also known as Robs little crack. We were bumbling our way around late in the evening thinking about anchoring when Rob spotted this place on the chart. Somewhere you would never pass by in 2 lifetimes. Perfect, still, and warm enough to swim. Spoons and Claire anyway. Tiny paradise for an evening. Norway just keeps givingRead more

  • Morvenna 2023

    Soreide

    June 14, 2023 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Not an early start. But untied from our 3 point anchorage. Stowed the ropes and headed down the giant fjord just to see how big it is and wether we fancied going to the end. After a full day of sunny, motoring, motor sailing, beating. Drifting. What appeared to be no progress had been made on this giant piece of nature. Completely at random we went to the nearest inlet. Again with no research and looked for somewhere to anchor. As it happened there was a single dock in the middle of the settlement with tyres etc. It looked perfect and Nick glided the boat boat in. Ready for everyone to take a well earns walk. In normal fashion, Rob and Claire set a punishing pace in the afternoon heat. Actually it might have been evening or even night. Its getting difficult to tell. A moderate view was had but with too m any trees. Back down the hilll for a swim to cool off.
    Well Claire and spoons anyway.
    This was a very pretty bay and so quiet. After a couple of cold beers took a stroll to the head of the bay. To our surprise there was a tidal inlet leading to another picture postcard fjord. All with jumping fish. All to good to be true. Norway seems to have world class beautiful spots hidden round every corner.    Read more

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