Dodging showers and easing winds...

Day 55: Monday 22nd June, 2026

Bolga

A slightly disturbed sleep with verrrry strong galey gusts (peaking at almost 50 knots), but the harbour of Bolga had proved a good choice by the Captain to sit it out. The winds eased as the day progressed, but the rains were heavy and the gusts still squally, so most of the day was spent aboard.

A little brighter after lunch, and a need for fresh air and stretched legs, we donned our waterproofs and set out for a wee walk up the south west coast...the sandy beaches reminiscent of Scottish summer sailing walks...

... but the views of endless skerries and islets distinctively Norwegian ...

...In the mid 1800's permanent buildings were established on many of the hundreds of islands surrounding Bolga - in fact in 1903 the permanent population of Bolga stood at 103, whilst there were over 200 living on the islands of the outlying archipelago - In the 1950's most of that population moved away, and by 1970 the last of the islanders were gone.

On we went, passing a rather nice airbnb cabin, where we dodged a sharp shower...

...and then got to Klippfiskbergan - a place where salted fish that had been purchased from fishermen at the Lofoten islands, was brought ashore to be dried on the large flat rocks, providing work for the people of Bolga and its outlying islands - often women and children...

...from there we turned back...

...and returned to the harbour...

... back to the boat for a spot of passage planning for tomorrow's leg...