Author: Jeff

First, the plan.  I’d like to spend some time in Northern Europe on my own boat.  That’s my next goal.  I’d really like to follow the Viking Route from Newfoundland east across the Atlantic to get there.

There, I’ve said it. 

I have never aspired to cross oceans.  In fact, I swore off the whole notion about 35 years ago when I moved inland.

But the reality is that I want to keep moving, keep spending a good chunk of the time on board, and continue to explore the world by boat.  I won’t wax on about Norway, but I can’t wait to get back.  I’ve explored small ports in Iceland and England by car and imagined arriving by boat. 

Hence the new boat.  I have lots of trepidations, but I’ve been bumping this use case around for a while, and think the boat fits.  We’ll see.

My basic game plan right now is to launch the new boat – I need to find a new name! – in late June, spend the summer in Newfoundland and Labrador, and head for Halifax in the fall.  That should be a sufficient shake down cruise. 

More to come…

I’m back in Nova Scotia for two weeks with the intention of having Escapade ready for sale before I leave.  It’s great to be able to stay aboard the boat while ashore in the yard.

The boat has served me well, and more than met the needs I identified when I bought it.

I’m struck in reading that needs list that my overall requirements haven’t changed, and in fact the new boat meets the same set of requirements.  My basic game plan hasn’t changed, but my cruising area has.

But this isn’t about the new boat.  While back aboard I’m reminded again of what a cool and capable (and big!) boat Escapade is.  Hopefully the boat will find a good home and many more adventures.

‘Ready for sale’ is a relative term of course.  In this case I’m aiming for clean and decluttered.  The boat needs work that I’ll leave for the next owner, with full disclosure.  Clean and decluttered is a big enough ask! 

In any case, Escapade will soon be seriously for sale.  You heard it here first.  Tell your friends and neighbors 😀.

I expect I’ll ask about $80k for the boat.  Reach out to jeff@boatingadventures.ca if you want more deets.

I’m buying a sailboat.  It’s in Lewisporte NF. 

The seller and I made an agreement a few weeks ago subject to my inspection.  I flew out to St John’s on Saturday, rented a car and drove about 400 kms to see the boat, then did the return trip Sunday.  

I’ll let the owner’s description and photos do the explaining.  The pilothouse really works for me.

https://www.helplink.com/Kashmir/index.html

https://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/109374

I didn’t take any photos of my own.  It was cold.

We’re in Amsterdam, heading home tomorrow.  Had another travel challenge when we found out last night that our tickets for the flight out of Bergen today had been cancelled due to our no show on the original flight.  And no seats were available that would get us here in time.

We recovered fairly gracefully.  Got off the boat at midnight in Alesund, stayed in a hotel there, and flew here today via Oslo and Stockholm.  Not unpleasant. 

The trip south was stormy much of the time.  Our outer deck was closed at times, but the top deck was open. 

Great trip.  I’m glad we were able to do it.

We’re nearing Tromso, heading back south.  It’s been an interesting few days. 

This ferry route has been serving the communities along the coast since 1893, and provided a vital connection between Finnmark and the south. 

I was struck by how far east we were in Kirkenes, at 30 degrees east longitude.  That line of longitude goes through Ukraine and Turkey.

We’re stopped in Kjollefjord, above 72 degrees latitude near the northern cape.  This is as far north as we get.  Tomorrow morning we arrive in Kirkenes, then turn around.

I’m enjoying all of this. 

We crossed the Arctic Circle this morning.  Smooth sailing, with lots of scenery and small port stops.  As usual, I’ve enjoyed visiting local  marinas.  Small boat cruising opportunities here seem almost endless.

It’s my first time on a cruise ship.  24 hours in, I like it.  A lot.  And Norway too.  We’re aboard the Midnatsol, the oldest ship on the route.  I was hoping to get on a new hybrid ship, but honestly I don’t think the experience would be any different.  There are about 450 passengers aboard, something like 50% capacity.  We’re in an accessibility cabin which is oversized and immediately adjacent to the lifeboats. All good 😊

Today we were off the boat in Ålesund.  Very picturesque.  No rain.  Expected high tomorrow is 10C, which our guide says is summer weather.  We stop in Trondheim for a few hours.

I’m in Calgary, flying home to SW Ontario in the morning. 

I don’t usually post about non-boating activities, but wanted to wrap up the boating season.  At this point my plan for next season is to arrive in NS in early April and get back at it.

All went as planned over the past week or so.  I left the boat Friday, arrived in Toronto Sunday, flew to Vancouver Monday, and spent four days driving the Rockies, with overnight stops in Kamloops, Banff, Hinton, and Canmore. 

This has been on my bucket list for a while.  Lots to see in BC, but mountains have always fascinated me.  I’ve visited alpine areas in other places, but not Canada. Now I’ve traveled the highest road in the country, at 2083m.

It was especially nice to spend a couple of days sharing the experience with son Miles and getting caught up with his life.  It’s good to get off the boat.

I felt good leaving Escapade.  Cold weather has descended on NS.  I got out just in time.  All systems are ready for storage.  No shrink wrapping yet, but I’m sure they’ll get to it.  I forgot to take pics.