11/07/09 From Visby into the ‘skärgård’ or the myriad of rocks and islets on the East Coast : Långholmen anchorage on the approaches to Valdemarsvik.

It could have been worse than being stranded on Visby during a gale or indeed even being caught in a strong gale (9 Bft) in the choppy Baltic Sea.

So, we hired a car from the harbour office (!) in Visby and explored the small island of Fårö, the island to the NE of Gotland, which is full of ancient history, early signs of Christianity and seafaring trade. It also accommodates the graves of Ingrid and Ingmar Bergmann, famous film director and his extraordinary actress wife. Fårö has only two small shallow harbours, which are mainly used by smaller local craft.

After two days the weather had settled –more or less- and we set sail at 20 – 24 knots of wind towards Valdemarsvik (Swedish mainland). On our way, the skipper decided that it might be much better to pick a secluded anchorage on the way and avoid duplicating some of the Fjord entrance to Valdemarsvik. And Madeleine was right (again). Långholmen was probably the most idyllic and secluded anchorage ever encountered. Having said that, this will probably be correct for all the next anchorages in the Stockholm Archipelago – but it was a great start! Having said that, adjusting your focus from offshore sailing to the thousands of rocks and islands seemed very daunting at first.