"To young men contemplating a voyage I would say go" - Joshua Slocum

Swedish cinnamon rolls on the boat

As I walk off the plane at Arlanda airport in Stockholm and head toward the baggage area my senses are signalling that I am back home in Sweden. The light feels typically Swedish, people look Swedish because of their unique fashion and all I can hear around me is hördi gördi, making me think I’m …

The ‘Bottnia Eskader 2012’

Last year Esmeralda af Piteå took part in ‘Bottnia Eskadern’ an escapade for boat lovers – sailors and motorboat people alike – in the Bothnian Bay area. In 2012 the journey commenced at Svinöra, Piteå, Sweden making six stops along the way before reaching the final destination Uleåborg in Finland. In addition to my wife …

Junkön, Luleå skärgård

After a slightly longer-than-expected but beautiful sail from Piteå we reached the marina at Junkön around 9pm on July 11, with the sun still high in the sky. It was yet another stunning Swedish summer night. Junkön, an island with a name which English speakers probably find slightly strange (the junk island I.e skräp ön), …

Blueberry pie on the boat

Since there was hardly no wind that day we decided to stay at the Junkön marina another night. It’s such a beautiful island and after all, we were on holidays and in no rush to go anywhere specific. Just next to the marina a few signs showed the way to the old windmill, the beach …

The bell

This beautiful bell by Gustafspinglan in Knutshyttan, Sweden, was given to Ulf on his 60th birthday by Viola’s siblings with families. Gustafspinglan Phone: 46 0243-234222 Address: Knutshyttan 84

Midsummer on Esmeralda & on the island

Esmeralda came in handy not only as transportation to Degersten on Midsummer, but also as accommodation. Since we were 11 people celebrating the holiday together Ulf and Viola slept on the boat whilst the rest of us split ourselves up between the old cottage, the big cottage and the old shack. A big thanks to …