Sottunga

60° 06.583 N
20° 40.962 E

We decided to make the most of the northerly wind and head to the Eastern Åland islands and this harbour would give us the prospect of making it over to the mainland if time was on our side and ofcourse favourable winds later on.
It was a fairly long motor sail arriving in beautiful sunshine . We were guided to a suitable spot behind a Polish boat and spon after a beautiful old wood boat came alongside them. We shared our stories and the different waters we've all sailed. Such friendly people.
The stroll ashore to pay the mooring fees in the bar led to a quick drink before supper ashore too as we soaked up the warmth of the early evening sun. The special platters of beef and fish respectively for the captain and I were great and the Åland pancakes with prune sauce and cream - a regional speciality we thought we'd give a go. Not the usual pancake more of a baked pancake or custard made from cooked semolina, baked with flour, eggs and flavoured with cardamom. It's not really my thing but we gave it a try!

The evening stroll led up to the wooden church built in 1730 that replaced a chapel destroyed by fire . All immaculately cared for.
The following morning weather looked to stay sunny so we decided to cycle the island and give Whisper a good airing. This island had a large amount of farming going on . Beautiful fields outlined with wild flowers . Hay pastures being cut . So different to other islands we've visited. The homesteads of the village are located in the same area as in the early Middle Ages. In those days
the dwellings were built on the shore of the strait that passed through the present day Sottungalandet. Due to the post glacial rebound the strait has disappeared and the farmsteads are
now located in two villages; the southern Södra Byn and the northern Norra Byn. We passed by the midsummer pole on the red gravel roads.
By the time we returned we were hot so I decided it was a chance to get in my most my most northerly swim . At 11°C cool down ✔️!もっと詳しく