Shakedown Cruise: Ellos - Fjallbacka - Stromstad - Skjaerhalden (Norway) and back 9-13th September 2023

Our great friends Charles & Helen joined us in Ellos and we set off to Norway to export the boat. Day 1 was a gentle sail through the islands, past Lyskil and up to Fjallbacka. The latter is the most beautiful little town where Goteborg's rich and famous have their summer houses. Ingrid Bergman spent her summers on Dannholmen island! We tied up for the night on the quay closest to the centre of the town and were very flattered by a stream of visitors who came to look at Atom.
The folowing day we set off for Stromstad with no wind. We we motored serenely through more beautiful islands before arriving at the most northerly port of western Sweden. The following day, having completed customs formalities in Stromstad we made a brief excursion to Norway in order to formally export the boat from the EU. We arrived in Skjaerhalden (Norway) with 32kts over the deck blowing directly into the harbour, so we turned around and went back to Stromstad for more prawns and herring!
From Stromstad, a beautiful downwind sail took us back to Fjallbacka and the following day we arrived in Ellos in the late afternoon. Over the five days we sailed around 150NM in some of the most beautiful scenery we have ever encountered. Navigationally it was hard work as the passages are narrow and there are often 10s of metres of depth within a few metres of the rocks...which means that there are rocks everywhere. The Swedes "get used to it" apparently.
We found some fabulous food and wine, helpful and friendly people and the most glorious landscape. As Stefan from HR put it, "it's the best bloody sailing in the world"! Charles and Helen left us on the Thursday and HR came on board to sort a few bits and pieces so that by Friday night, Judith and I were all set to begin the journey back to the UK. This is for the next post.

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