Freja was finally ready to go. Small repairs finished, hull polished, water tanks filled and galley provisioned. We took advantage of having our car by buying more heavy items than we really needed at the moment (anything that comes in a jar or can). We also drove to a big garden center to get some planks for Carl to make our fender boards. We bought two “deck” planks – the ones you’d use to make a deck or a terrace. They’re supposed to last about 10 years of normal “deck use” and are already treated for humidity ingress. All Carl needed to do was to drill some holes, round off the corners and sand them a bit.
We decided to make the very first leg of our journey a short one, so that Senna, our dog, could slowly become accustomed to the movement and heeling of the boat. We chose a beautiful anchorage only 2 hours’ sail from Vindön, just before the port of Ellös.
We plan to do longer and longer legs to get her used to sailing. Our limit will be 6-7 hours. She can “hold it” that long. We do have a small rug made of artificial grass that she can use, but she hasn’t had to yet. Her first trip in the dingy to get to land was a big success. She loved it!
Senna jumped right into the dingy from the stern stairs.
Mollösund
Our second leg ended at Mollösund, an incredibly charming fishing/summer cottage village with a small marina. It’s worth the time getting there early or staying an extra night. If you like seafood, you must walk over to Larssons Fisk (fisk=fish). We bought some salmon and plaice almost right off the boat (the shop opens right after the fishing boat docks and unloads the daily catch). They also have the most fantastic shrimp mix that they call “Mums”, which means “Yum”. And it is indeed yummy. It’s the most delicious variation of “Skagen Röra” I’ve ever tasted. It even beats the one sold at Lisa Elmqvist at Östermalmshallen in Stockholm, for those of you who know Stockholm and that famous seafood shop and restaurant.
Freja docked in front of the “fish processing” building in Mollösund.
On the way to Larssons Fisk
A window in the village of Mollösund
Looking into the window of a fishing cabin. Mollösund, Sweden
A lovely mailbox in the village of Mollösund, Sweden
The old windmill in Mollösund
A rowboat in swedish colours; Mollösund, Sweden
Typical “fishing cottages” in Mollösund. Many have been converted into summer cottages.
The marina in Mollösund is small, but if your boat is under 40 feet, you’ll be able to find a place unless it’s high season – the month of July. Most Scandinavians are on holiday in July, so popular marinas are full by 14.00. Some marinas accept reservations; otherwise you’ll have to get there early. Needless to say, the beginning of May is not high season. The electricity was not even turned on the marina, and not a single restaurant was open. Mollösund does have a surprisingly well-stocked grocery store about a 2-minute walk from the marna, and two fresh fish shops.
Restaurants, cafés and bars surround the marina, but they don’t open until the beginning of June. Diesel and gasoline is available at two different stations on either side of the marina entrance.
It’s cold on the west coast of Sweden in the beginning of May! You need to dress for winter sailing.