Underway

The bike is not the best one I have ever had and the road goes uphill quite steep. But sometimes I get a clear view of the Westgard sailing on the fjord and I feel very happy! Finally I reach Ostrand, all sweaty and tired and happy.

On the bridge

The next day Westgard will move to Ostrand, a harbour 10 km further up the river. I decide to cycle to Ostrand and take pictures of the ship underway. First I hurry to the bridge. Fantastic, everybody on board is waving and I try to push my camera through the anti-jump-fence.

Sundsvall city

It's a nice little town and I look foreward to a good coffee in the coffeebar.

Biking to Sundsvall

It's a good day and most of the snow and ice had disappeared from the roads so I decide to ride the 8 km to Sundsvall. When you are at sea for a long time it happens you forget the normal behavior. I find myself staring in the window of a beautiful building or actually 4 buildings connected together by glass. It turns out to be the cultural building of Sundsvall with a normal entrance around the corner...

Tunadal harbour

We are there! Tomorrow we will go th Ostrand, about 15 miles from here, to discharge.

Sundsvall

We pass Sundsvall, a town I know very well by now. With its smoking paperfactory and electrictyplant. It looks quite rough, but is very nice. I look foreward to go cycling there this afternoon.

Waiting

Because we have to wait the captain stuck the ship in an icefield to wait. The quay is still occupied by another ship. But later we get permission to wait on another place, in a place called Tunadal.

At night

This time no icebreaker for us. We meet Tor Viking but she has to help other ships.

Painting?

It is still minus 5 outside but the boys convince me the paint will dry. Officers and passenger are warm and happy inside.

Ice-edge

The ice moves all the time. Some of the pieces you don't want to meet. They are huge. Underway to Sweden.

Lookout

The captain and first mate are constantly judging the ice, searching for weak spots. If you don't pay attantion you get stuck just like that. And especially here it can be dangerous. The bay of Riga is known for its 2 different currents meeting.

Stella!

The pilot disembarks from the rear, something I have never seen before. But when I see Stella, the tugboat I understand. She will distroy the railing if she comes alongside.

Ice in the bay

We are being guided to 'open sea' by one of the tugboats. The ice is moving fast. The bouys dissapear all the time.

Exit Riga

It's a sunny day, people are walking on the pier. On one of the walls in the harbour I discover a mural that appears to be from communist times. It represents both terrible and beautiful things, but to me as an artist it's a good piece of art.

Mix of worlds

Former communist buildings and cranes sitting together with the latest machinery and cars. These baltic countries are changing rapidly.

To Riga

The bay of Riga is one solid icefield. Many ships are stuck and waiting for the 2 tugboats helping them out. It takes us lots of time to reach the harbour, but we manage without help. Finally, at night, we reach the quay. Loading starts straight away. The pilot explains Riga is too far away to pay a visit. Not enough time. Next time I will go for sure.

Liferafts

Either Riga or Kaskinen, up north anyway, that's for sure. The crew prepare the lowering of the 2 liferafts that need to be checked and replaced in the lock at Holtenau.

Pirates?

No orders for us yet so we have to wait a day. At anchor close to the dutch coast we are entered by the dutch coastguard. They are all over the place and want to see loads and loads of papers. Intimidating, not so friendly.