Our position 59:03.632N 05:24.142E

Distance covered 11.6 Nm

On Wednesday the wind had dropped, ahead of the previous forecast, but we had already ruled out a return trip to Stavanger so were happy to top up supplies at the local supermarket and set off in the sunshine for the nearby island of Kvitsoy. The wind that there was, was on the nose so we were motoring as usual but we were soon picking our way through the rocky approaches and up the narrow entrance channel from the South.

  Leaving Tanager. Good to know there were so many safety boats to rescue us if disaster hit and plenty of evidence of their links with the oil industry

    This area is where the coastal parts are low lying and fertile so the main agricultural centre but the rocky hills are always there in the background

   The route into Ystabohamn on Kvitsoy

Just as we were closing the harbour at Ystabohamn we were surprised by a SAR boat coming round the bend from the East approach and with the same destination in mind. He was bigger than us so it was time for brakes on and wait for him to choose his spot.

  Brakes on for the SAR boat

They went on the inside of the jetty, leaving us the one with a rocky outcrop halfway along to avoid, but we managed to tuck in and tied up successfully alongside some large tyres, necessitating the use of our fender board.

  but tied up safely – the rocky outcrop is behind

We set off immediately to explore and were slightly foiled by the fact that they were in the process of resurfacing all the roads and there was a lot of sticky tar to avoid. 

  Sheep enjoying a picnic on another island across the bay

Kvitsoy proved to be a most attractive island and we chatted to a local teacher in the supermarket (surprisingly large and well stocked for a permanent population of 500) who told us that the island supported a school for 6-16 year olds, which had a roll of c75. She was keen to emphasise the opportunities for employment on the island and was obviously committed to island life as she had returned to her birthplace.

   Views from and of the lighthouse, with evidence of farming on the island as well

   and views around the harbour. The large grey building is a control centre for traffic on the whole of the west and north coasts of Norway . We were told it won awards for its design, which was intended to resemble the bridge deck of a ship

  At first (from a distance) we thought this was a well but the “bucket” turned out to be a fire basket so we thought it must be a replica of the original light

  This building dated from 1816

   Someone else enjoying a sunny evening