It’s an amazing summer here in Sweden and we are so lucky to have chosen this summer to be here on a lovely boat!
But high temperatures and no rain have consequences.
The next day we sailed south through the islands and spotted a pair of sea eagles perched on a beacon – a magnificent sight. A rare seal swam behind us and ospreys flew overhead. The eagles flew past over the trees on the islands.
But the sea turned to a thick brown algal soup and followed us into Nattaro, a popular anchorage with sandy beaches. It was impossible to swim in it. Locals told us that this toxic algae had not been seen in Sweden for decades.
We took the dinghy ashore with all our barbecue food abandoned from the previous day. There were large concrete fire pits and picnic seating around. The signs said only to cook in the fire pits. Great facilities, with of course love huts nearby. But we were the only ones there – unusual, especially since the harbour had more yachts in it than Cowes Week.
Soon we had the answer – a complete ban on lighting fires was now in place, a helpful, if somewhat direct Swedish sailor informed us bluntly. We ran to the shore and poured buckets of water over our coals.
It’s just as well we didn’t get to light that barbecue on the snake isles.
Tonight’s meal was yet again on board barbecue food, oven cooked.
(sadly this is not ours….)