Another successful 3day sailing with Haukur

After a highly successful season of NS2 (Whales, Puffins & Sails) had ended, Schooner Haukur haeded out for a 3 day adventure. The crew was Nils the head guide of Haukur, also playing the role of boatsman and last but not least the cook! Captain Heimir got to go on this wonderful tour for the first time and his and Nils’s passengers this time were a couple from Denmark (John & Mette) and a couple from Germany (Harry and Birgit).

Day 1

Schooner Haukur is graceful under full sail. photo: Heimir

This time it was decided to take the tour clockwise, therefore after Skjálfandi Bay and Flatey Island going first to the herring era town of Siglufjörður. The weather was nice, warm, sunny and from Flatey Island towards Siglufjördur we had a nice breeze just enough to give us a comfortable 5 hours of sailing without engine before “scaniawind” had to help us finish the leg into Siglufjördur.

Day 2

The next day, after visiting the amazing Herring Museum course was set to Grímsey 34 nautical miles north east of Siglufjördur. Under full sails the schooner crossed the arctic circle just west of Grímsey and as a Haukur tradition, this achievement was celebrated with a shot of rum, after the rum-bell was rung by the captain.

Enjoying Schoonerlife, from left: John, Mette, Birgit & Harry. photo: Heimir

The schooner soon tacked towards the island just off the sails were taken down and people enjoyed fishing for a while. Some had never really fished before but that wasn’t to be noticed as one fish after the other was taken onboard, even a herring wich is a rare catch on a rod. Later that night a BBQ feast with 4 different types of fish (cod, haddock, pollock and the herring) was on board in the cozy cabin of Haukur.

Day 3

Third day of beautiful weather, and this time just at the Arctic circle was to be enjoyed. After a long walk to the northernmost tip of the Island Haukur sailed around the Island and while Nils prepaired a lunch onboard the schooner, captain Heimir took the passengers on a zodiac tour up to the cliffs and even inside one of the caves that the ocean has dug into the cliffs.

Here are a few more pictures from this tour:

In the deserted Island of Flatey. photo: Heimir

The very Special Flatey Olympics. photo: Heimir

Pulling up some of the 132 sqm of sails. photo: Mette

There’s always a lot of things that have to be taken care of, Nils being the one who
knows the rigging better than most people. In this case both John and Harry were
of great help as they were quick to learn and enjoyd working on the rigging.
photo: Mette