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 +++++++++++++++
Monday 12th of December 2016 and I stepped on board and I ran in to Captain on my way to the cabin. We had been together on Tärnvind back in the days. And the first thing he told me was that he remembered my fur hat. I bought the hat in Poland back in, well 30 years ago and I paid  2 Dollars or so. I opened my bag and I showed him the fur hat.
Might be my best purchase ever, 2 Dollars for a winter fur hat and it is still with me after 30 years. So yes, it have been a very good hat. Quality you wont (most likely) see today. We completed discharging half of our cargo and we shifted berth from Sutudden to Oxhaga to load HVO on top of the remaining gasoil. Or as they are using the gasoil for fuel to cars they call it diesel. The chemical we're going to load on top is some kind of vegetable gasoil and it is thus called a chemical. +++++++++++++++
Tuesday 13th of December 2016 and we completed loading at Oxhaga at 08:42 and Pilot was booked for 10 thirty. It was a beautiful morning even though it was slightly cold. I was forward during the departure and when we left the jetty behind I went back up on the bridge.
 AB on the fo'c's'le
 AB on the fo'c's'le
 Leaving Karlshamn
 AB on the bride
I got an e-mail from Maersk sitting on the train coming here. They want to send me on an ECDIS course in Manila. And as I'm going to Bali snorkelling and training fir the big humpback whale adventure I cannot go until 23rd of January 2017. So I wrote an e-mail to Donsol Ecotours to see if they can set me up with a whale shark swim. I read Bangkok Post online and it was about the whale sharks on the Philippines. But to go see the whale sharks in Cebu is a big NO NO and has been known as such for a long time already.  Bangkok Post
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Wednesday 14th of December 2016 and we were approaching Ålands Hav when I came on the bridge at 8 o'clock in the morning. Strong wind and it will be ice on deck if it continues like this. We still have some degrees above 0°C but further north and we will run in to below zero conditions
We have a race to Olulu with m/t Sten Nordic, the first one to arrive will discharge first. I saw her coming from Porvoo entering Ålands Hav 8 NM or so head of us. She spotted us and increased her speed and left us behind. We also increased our speed and we're keeping about the same speed. As it looks now she will be firs to Oulu We held our drills after the lunch and we completed everything with an SMS meeting. And I didn't had much time for paper work as it was getting dark. Dark for the most part of 24 hours up here at this time of the year. And time turns quickly and it was soon time for dinner. +++++++++++++++
Thursday 15th of December 2016 and we were in the Bay of Botnia when I came on the bridge 10 minutes before 8 o'clock in the morning. We will arrive to Oulu in the afternoon and as we were helplessly behind Sten Nordic we slowed down our speed in order to save bunker and thus the environment. I enjoyed a beautiful morning with blue sky and sunshine, a wee bit cold. Morning turned to evening at lunch time and the sun was setting at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
 In the duty mess
 Sun is setting 2 o'clock in the afternoon
 Sun is setting 2 o'clock in the afternoon
 Sun is setting 2 o'clock in the afternoon
 Sun is setting 2 o'clock in the afternoon
Now they are talking about us going to load in Fredericia, Denmark for Go:teborg after discharging here in Oulu. Then loading in G:teborg for Vassa, Vasa in Swedish. Oulu also have a Swedish name: Uleåborg So we will drop the anchor in the afternoon, good, I will have the evenin gto make my discharge plan. I usually do it on the bridges in the afternoon, but as it gets dark very early there is not much time, especially sine we have other things to do as well.
I got an answer from my enquiry to Donsol Ecotours and they have set up an itinerary for me. So if the whale sharks have arrived in January I will go to Donsol after my ECDIS course in Manila.
So this will of course be something to look forward to. When we come to Go:teborg I will get my 3  last parcels. I ordered a wet suit on line and some other swimming gear for my Tonga adventure. If the Henderson Thermoprene men’s 3mm shorty wetsuit - 7XL-Tall fits, I  ordered a “Special Edition” but you never know.
If the Henderson Thermoprene men’s 3mm shorty wetsuit - 7XL-Tall is fitting I will use it first on Bali and then in Donsol. But it might turn out to be a MEGA waste of money, but I really try to be serious with my diet. And I have not been eating salt for a very long time by now. And, is it possible that I have a wee bit extra room in my shirt by now? We dropped anchor at 16 thirty something and we will stay at least until tomorrow morning. SO we wil have time to do some work tonight, and of course, there will be time for a cup of tea or two. +++++++++++++++
Friday 16th of December 2016 and we were still anchored when I came on the bridge 15 minutes before 8 in the morning. It was about 10 o'clock local time when the sun came up over the horizon and it was almost under the horizon 3 hours later. There were still no news form the pilots when I left the bridge going for lunch. I was not supposed to have any lunch.
A “Oatmeal Surprise” on the bridge, but I was lucky as I went down the mess room to discover that it was Falukorv for lunch. We could see the ice from the anchorage and we had our anchor up at 13 thirty and we were soon reaching the ice edge. IT is ice all the way in to the jetty in Oulu. This ice at the ice edge, but it is getting thicker the closer to shore we come.  We're in the ice
     Approaching Oulu
We had all fast around 6 o'clock in the evening and when I came on my watch at 8 o'clock in the evening we had already started to discharge. It was slow discharge rate and it was 11 o'clock before we were allowed to go to the full, 1000m³/h. And we had about 15000 m³ remaining so it will be late tomorrow afternoon before we can leave Oulu.    +++++++++++++++
Saturday 17th of December 2016 and it was a gorgeous morning when I came on the bridge quarter to 8. Discharging in full swing and I would have to strip CT 2 P/S in about 30 minutes. After that there would be nothing much happening on my watch. Just to enjoy the view from the bridge.
 9 thirty LT in the morning
      2nd Engineer on the bridge taking pictures
It was an enjoyable watch. Captain came on the bridge around 10 and he took a chair and he sat down next to me and as he was bored he took charge of the ballast. He wanted to fill DB 7 and I  asked why.
- We need trim - We have plenty Time turned quick when we sat there talking about good ol' times. Literally the very old times as Captain went on and on about Fleksnes, some Norwegian that was very popular back in the 60's. Sweet Jesus, Fleksnes, he is like  Laurel and Hardy, boring already when they showed it back in the days when I was a child. He went on and on about Fleksnes, and when he finally gave up he got started about some Hasse & Tage from, well, the  early 70's.
And when I got bored with the  he was obviously going to terrorise our Chief Engineer because the Chief Engineer was in his cabin looking at some **** he was showing on his  computer when I came down from my watch at lunch.
Only God knows what he was showing, after having to listen  to how great Fleksnes was I had no hope for it to be any good stuff. So I went for lunch. We expect to leave Oulu around 15 thirty and I killed the time pestering Captain in his office. Our MARPOL Inspector came on board around 14 thirty and I went on the bridge to do the paper work with him. 
Back in my cabin and there were pictures from my friend's Christmas party in Bangkok on Line.   +++++++++++++++
Sunday 18th of December 2016 and we are steaming South in the Sea of Bothnia towards Ålands Hav when I came on the bridge in the morning. It was a cloudy but beautiful morning. And from there everything turned in to At least regarding the diet
We were going to take a safety round after lunch. My original plan was to skip lunch, but as we were going to meet after lunch I could as well join them for lunch.  On deck and I call the duty officer to take a picture of us from the bridge
 Står vi o vinkar som några fåntrattar
When we finished the safety round on deck I ended up in Captain's office. And it didn't take long before we were in the slop chest. I was going to buy toothpaste but ended up with Schweizer nöt. And the dinner wasn't any better, ice cream and, well, I didn't felt very good on my evening watch. So I decided NEVER AGAIN! +++++++++++++++
Monday 19th of December 2016 and we were just North of Gotland when I came on the bridge a few minutes before 8 in the morning. Duty Officer had been calling me late. I was soon enjoying my tea while watching a beautiful morning turning in the gloom and grey for long as I could see.
We are bound for Go:teborg where we will load 2 parcels of gasoline and a parcel of the NEDI 25 environmental diesel. But still no loading orders so I cannot get started with the cargo planning.     We got the loading order in the evening and I sent an e-mail asking for the loading sequence so I can prepare the loading plan before arrival +++++++++++++++
Tuesday 20th of December 2016 and we were steering towards SW between Skåne and Bornholm when I came on the watch at 8 o'clock in the morning. 20 minutes later and I changed course towards west. I was spending my watch south of Skåne and when my watch came to an end we were approaching Falsterbo Rev TSS.
The whole afternoon was spent on the bridge doing a loading plan for G:oteborg. We know what to load but not the sequence, so let's hope it wasn't a waste of time. We will drop anchor when we arrive to G:oteborg and as it looks now we will come alongside tomorrow afternoon. And I will  hopefully be able to pick up my new MBT shoes.
They look stupid and I will most likely look like a retard walking around in the shoes. But they are very comfortable and they should be excellent when you have arthrosis.  +++++++++++++++
Tuesday 20th of December 2016 and we were anchored when I came on the bridge 10 minutes before 8 o'clock in the morning. And it looks like we will come alongside at 14 hundred, so I was  happy. I can go ashore and arrange my shoes, and maybe some Pepsi MAX.
New Captain and Chief Engineer came on board just after 10 o'clock with Terntank’s working boat. I could see a big plastic bag and I suspected that this was my wet suit and swimming gear One of our 2nd Engineers and the Captain left with the boat. Our Chief Engineer will stay on board until tomorrow morning and they will pick him up at 4 thirty for transportation to the airport. When the boat left I sat down waiting for them to bring the plastic bag, yes, I was  eager to try my wet suit on. Will it be too big? A waste of money? And my swimming trunks and rash guards, so yes, I was excited.
I tried one of the rash guards on the bridge and it was maybe, surprisingly enough a wee bit too big. The fit was good, but I had expected the rash guard to be tight fit. 2 rash guards and 4 swimming trunks and the wet suit and I'm ready to get to Tonga. And as no surprise, they had changed the mix of the winter diesel parcel and I spent the afternoon on the bridge making a new loading plan. And as soon as I was ready I took the stairs down to my cabin in 2 steps. A few seconds later and I was wearing my new Henderson Thermoprene mens 3mm shorty wetsuit (Special Edition) It took me about 3 seconds to realise that, well, I was disappointed. I had expected to look like the guy on their web page when I ordered the wet suit. Maybe I should sue them? I look like the “BLUBBER BOY” and on the internet shop they look like Tarzan. Yes, I was disappointed, but not so much so 100 000 US$ in damages wouldn't help.   Who is better looking?
Berthing was delayed until 18 hundred and I was not happy, I will most likely not be able to go ashore to get my shoes. And no Pepsi MAX, this was a set-back but I was not surprised. I called her at 17:30 and she was waiting for me at Backaplan. I told her that we were delayed and I was expecting her to give up and go home. But we decided that I would call her in 45 minutes. By then we were approaching the jetty and I called her 10 minutes before 7. She would come down to the gate and I should walk up to the gate to meet her in about 20 minutes. I left the ship and I was soon realising that I had forgot my valet. Ducking duck! I had to go back to get my valet. Luckily enough we were getting stores from DFS and I could go to the gate with the truck. Si I was kind of lucky or the girl delivering the MTB shoes would have gone crazy waiting for a full day. But then, it is a 10,000 Baht pair of shoes.   I saw the white VOLVO as she had told me she would drive and we were soon on our way back to Backaplan. We passed a shopping area on the way and I asked what it was. I had never seen the  place before and I asked if we could not try the shoes here.
There wasn't really and place to try the shoes so we continued to Backaplan. We found a place and I donned the shoes in a stair and I did a test walk. She had a never ending list of recommendations and tips on how to walk in the shoes. Yes, they look strange and I was only allowed to use them for 15 minutes per day the first few  days. I got a DVD instruction video to watch at home as I was in a wee bit of a hurry. I was surprised to see that the drug store was open so I went to by Glucosamine Sulphate tablets for my arthrosis while she prepared my shoes.
I liked the shoes and I bought a pair of size 45. I told her that I would take a taxi back to the ship. She insisted to drive me and I asked her to stop so I could buy a few bottles of Pepsi MAX.  We left Christmas decorated Backaplan behind with my new MBT shoes. She had  brought 3 pairs, size 44, 45 and 46. I asked her if she had sandals and she will look when she comes home. If I like this shoes I will buy a pair od sandals as well next time we come to G:oteborg. We drove back towards Skarviks hamnen and m/t Ternholm. And we passed the first shopping area we had been at to see if they had Pepsi MAX Well, of course they have Pepsi MAX This is not Singapore! I got out of the car and I stepped in to Coop Extra and it didn't take me long to find the Pepsi MAX I filled a shopping basket/ shopping cart combo and I went to the cashier to pay.    I was soon back in the car and I was very happy when we were on our way back to m/*t Ternholm. I had managed to get everything I wanted. 1) MBT shoes 2) Glucosamine Sulphate tablets for my arthrosis 3) Pepsi MAX I had expected exactly duck all when we were delayed. And the drugstore was open this late, this was a bonus. We came to the gate and the girl wasn't allowed inside the terminal. And I was lucky that there was a Saybolt Surveyor passing the gate. He gave me a ride to jetty 551 where we are loading the winter diesel. Or, well, they had not started the loading when I came back.  I was not on the bridge until 20 thirty and the 2nd Officer had covered for me while I was a shore. We started to load when I came on the bridge and as I had brought 2 bottles of Diet MAX I enjoyed my watch. We completed the first grade of the first parcel just before midnight. The winter diesel grade is 3 parcels mixed to 1 grade that we will discharge in Finland. Well, I was very happy with the day and now there is no reason for me to go ashore until it is time to sign off. And that is just 2 weeks away or so, Bali and snorkelling next! +++++++++++++++
Thursday 22nd of December 2016 and they woke me up as usually at 07:15 and I discovered a x-mas greeting from my friend when I enjoyed a Diet MAX before going to the bridge.
 Seems like my friend have the same attitude towards Christmas as I have. Christmas, something that we will soon have put behind us. We had a gorgeous morning with sunshine, something we're not used to here in G:oteborg. We finished the second parcel 5 minutes before 8 and they expected us to wait for about 2 hours before we should start the third and last parcel. When we resumed loading quarter to 10 it was a disappointment, just above 300m³/h and we will not be ready until tonight. And we will not shift jetty until maybe 8 thirty tonight.  Time for 2nd Officer to go off his watch
 Taking in the buoys preparing for ice
 A gorgeous day here in G:oteborg
 A ferry arrives to G:oteborg
Loading was a wee bit quicker than expected and we will shift jetty at 8 o'clock tonight. It also seems like the wind have increased and there is a storm on the way to hit Sweden for Christmas. We will hopefully be able to dodge the storm.
We have got next voyage, G:oteborg to Poori and Oulu in Finland so I hope we will be delayed so I can sign off in G:oteborg next time. We will see, winter time and it is already a hard time to find seats going to Bangkok and it might be impossible to find a new seat. And also, I really don't want to spend time flying from Finland to Copenhagen I was on the bridge 15 minutes before 8 in the evening and I had to go straight to deck for departure jetty #551 for shifting to jetty #519  Stena ferry leaving G:oteborg for Denmark
Departure 10 minutes past 8 in the evening and thanks to my winter clothing it was a pleasure on deck. We had all fast at jetty #519 at 9 o'clock and we started to load at 22:50. I also  discharged the slop before I went to my cabin for my power nap at midnight  so I am ready for action tomorrow.
Christmas is knocking on the door and even though I know that the holiday season fill you with agony and remorse I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy X-mas. And of  course, I wish that you will get a lot of gifts. And don't forget to spend a lot of money on stupid decoration that will do nothing but destroying our environment. But  you will support the slave traders supplying child and slave labour to the manufacturer of all the plastic shit and that means that you support the global economic growth, not  bad for a Christmas season.
And imagine the tons of Christmas gift wrappings that we will throw in the garbage. Pretty much the same as with all the pointless straws they hand out everywhere, millions of plastic straws in the garbage every day. You celebrate Christmas to make your children happy at the same time you do everything for destroying their future ducking up the planet. So yes, in the spirit of the season, make sure to spend a lot! 
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Friday 23rd of December 2016 and we were waiting to start loading our last parcel when I came on the bridge at 8 o'clock in the morning. We started 20 minutes after 8 o'clock and we expect to leave around 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
So I had time to book hotel and my flight to Bali before departure from G:oteborg, so now I'm set up for my snorkel and underwater camera training preparing for the Tonga adventure. +++++++++++++++
Saturday 24th of December 2016 and we were in the South end of the Great Belt when I came on the bridge 10 minutes before 8 o'clock in the morning. The wind was almost gone and that was very nice. We had a force 8 to 9 yesterday evening and we would have had this in the side when changing course to East when we're leaving the Great Belt.
Even the sun broke through the overcast sky and I had a nice watch passing through Fehmarn Belt. I was going to make a discharging plan for Vaasa but first lunch and to load a washing machine with laundry. And of course a stop in my cabin the check my e-mail. There was a video on Line  There was an e-mail from Singapore Airlines, I have booked 3 flights with Singapore Airlines and I have sent them and e-mail to request hem to have Diet Pepsi on board. I got an reply today and we will see what they can arrange. Singapore Airlines always give you the song and dance about their service, so let's see how this turns out.
And Christmas dinner, I had tried to arrange Brunkål in G:oteborg. I wrote down Brunkål on a napkin and I gave it to one of the ABs going ashore. Yes, I remember the success with Richard Mærsk in Malmö a few years back. I sent a note with the Pump Man going ashore.
Anyway, it didn't work as well here in G:oteborg. The AB handed over my note and he was told that they didn't had any brunkål. But they gave him a can of rödkål and a head of red cabbage. I refused to pay for this. Yeah, if you ask someone to buy a t-shirt and they come back with shoes, would you pay? I went to watch the news at 6 o'clock and there were already 3 people in the TV room. But they called for dinner just after 6 o'clock. I was told that the Christmas dinner would be at 18:30 so  they have obviously been kicking behinds in the kitchen. I stayed behind to see the news to the end before going for dinner.
When I came in to the mess room I saw so much chocolate that I got scared. This will not be any good! And I managed to dodge the chocolate. But I had so much sausage so I felt very bad, mostly from agony. Back in the TV room and I informed the crew about the PRIZE to catch me eating anything but vegetables and meat. Instantly, the crew was excited and the Christmas turned to a wee bit of fun. At least a little bit more fun than before there was a chance to win the grand prize.  Watching the news
 Watching the news
    I went to the bridge and we arranged bananas for tomorrow morning, no need to eat the cookies and biscuits on the bridge tomorrow morning. The ship was rolling a little in the evening when I was steering NE between Sweden and the Danish Island Bornholm. +++++++++++++++
Sunday 25th of December 2016 and we were steering NNE between Öland and Gotland when I came on the bridge 8 o'clock in the morning. I enjoyed tea and bananas and at 11 thirty our Chief Engineer came to the bridge.
They were going to test our fire alarms and of course, announcements have to be done, or the crew think the fire is lose. And our Chief Engineer is doing it Aladdin style. I came down to the mess room and the crew was hanging around waiting for me expecting to make a lot of money. But I only had salad and chicken and I felt good when we were ready with the  lunch. Only healthy food and I had a feeling that I was on the  right path here to obtain my V-shaped torso.
I spent the afternoon doing a discharge plan. And I made an inventory of our Dräger tubes before I went down to my cabin to enjoy a Pepsi MAX. And I could not help but wondering if we had thieves on board. And the worst kind of thieves, the ones that are stealing from a friend! I discovered that I was alarmingly low on Pepsi MAX stock. Impossible that I have had all the Pepsi MAX all by myself since we left G:oteborg. Someone must have been in my cabin to help them self’s to my Pepsi MAX. Highly annoying, and it is Christmas so this is not what I had expected. But thinking about it, I'm better off without the Pepsi MAX. I have been sleeping very good since I came on board, well, that was until I bought the Pepsi MAX, now I'm tossin' and turnin' all night long in bed before I can fall asleep.
More stupid videos on lines this afternoon, and I wont say which, but one of the videos reminded me about Maersk Claudia  back in the days when we were in Australia. Impossible to forget the “survival suit” drama on board Maersk Claudia when the whole crew had to help me getting in and out from the survival suit.
We had an Inspector on board and he wanted us to send a picture of me in one of our Survival suits. If we could not get me in to the survival suit we had to buy a more “manly” size. It worked out just fine and we could send a picture so that one ended well.
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Monday 26th of December 2016 and we were in the sea of Bothnia when I came on the bridge at 8 o'clock in the morning. The wind is increasing but not more than a force 7. There are gale and storm warning on the Swedish west coast so we see when the bad weather comes over on this side, the back side of Sweden.
I went on deck after lunch to measure Benzene in the pipe trunk, and to start with some of the test and checks before discharging. They were busy forward to put back an electric motor for the fan to the pipe trunk. Of course, I went there to give some pointers.    Back in my cabin after having finished paper work and some of the pre-arrival tests and I discovered yet another video on Line. This must be the last on for this year. The last video is from a girl, and,  hmm, there is a slight difference from one of the above videos. Anyway, I can't say that I look forward to next year's onslaught of stupid Christmas videos.
We were just about to reach the pilot station when they called us and told us that there was a problem with the pilot boat. When the pilot boarded us 1 hour later he told us that they had got ice in the cooling water intake and the had to change to their “ICE” boat. We had our first line ashore just before midnight. Harbour covered in ice, but it was nice outside. Much tanks to my fur had and the parka I bought for my Polar Bear adventure. +++++++++++++++
Tuesday 27th of December 2016 and we were discharging when I came on the bridge 10 minutes before 8 o'clock in the morning. I had a banana and a cup of tea while watching the sun rise above the tree line. The harbour was almost covered to 100% with ice.
We completed the 95E10 gasoline 20 minutes after 8 o'clock. And I started the 98E5 gasoline a few minutes after that. I was busy with the ballast, blowing lines and stripping the cargo tanks so time passed very quickly. I sent an e-mail yesterday asking if they had any MBT sandals, no answer. So today I will call another shop here in Vaasa to see if they have MBT Sandals. SO i was happy that the time passed quickly so I could go to my cabin to take care of business.  Sunrise in Vaasa, Finland
 Sunrise in Vaasa, Finland
 Sunrise in Vaasa, Finland
 A gorgeous morning
We completed the Nedi 25 diesel at 12 thirty and we will be ready with the last gasoline in the afternoon. So there will be time for me to make a quick tour in to town. I started by having lunch and Captain was back on board. He went ashore to buy trousers and I asked him to keep an eye out for MBT sandals. He had not found any and I went back to my cabin after lunch. I called Intersport to see if they had any MBT shoes, at least according to the internet they should have MBT in their shop. After, well, it was not without trouble to reach them. First of all I had to refill my SIM. When I reached Intersport I was put on hold so they could find the MBT expert. Well, finally and they told me that they had a pair of sandals size 45. I told them that I would be  there in 20 minutes. I called the bridge and I asked the 2nd Officer to call the terminal to call a taxi.
The taxi arrived 10 minutes later and I had time for an inspection of the hull while waiting. We were soon driving through a winter landscape towards Vaasa, some 5 to 10 minutes away. The driver stopped outside Intersport and I stepped inside. There were plenty people and I was looking for someone working there. I came down to the shoe corner and one guy asked me if I was there for the MBT shoes. I brought me the box with the pre-ordered MBT sandals size 45  My taxi arrives to the jetty
 Driving through some tank farm
 Crossing the bridge in to Vaasa
 Crossing the bridge in to Vaasa
 Crossing the bridge in to Vaasa
 City Centre?
 Busy at Intersport
He opened the box, instant disappointment. This was not even reminding me about sandals, exactly what I didn't wanted to have. The sandals were looking like a pair of good morning boots. I was  disappointed, I had spent money to come here, and even worse, I had spent valuable time.
The guy told me that he would go to the store room, they had some old models not on display anymore. Maybe they had some real sandals. He was soon back with a pair of exactly the kind of sandals that I wanted to have. It was size 45 3/4 but I tried them on and they were OK. The good morning boots was 199€ The “real” sandals was 200€ ++. But as it was last years model it was 60% off. I could not believe my luck. I asked if he had any more, but this was the last pair that would fit me. He also went to look for MBT trekking, but I was unlucky again. I paid the shoes, now 90€ and something. They called a taxi and I was on my way a few minutes later.   Exactly what I wanted to have, and 60% off
We stopped and I bought 5 bottles of refreshments. The cashier told me that it was 3 bottles for 5€ Some kind of campaign they are running at Neste's gas stop. - Do you want me to buy one more? I asked - I just tell you that it is 3 for 5 - OK, I take one more I was soon back in the taxi and I was on board about an hour after leaving. We left Vaasa just after 5 o'clock and ETA G:oteborg 30th in the evening. I don't care, I have no need to come ashore as I have my MBT sandals now. 
Well, while we have been here in Vaasa I have had the time to create a Flickr account. I will upload bird and wildlife pictures to Flickr. So make sure to visit my Flickr account to see some bird pictures by clicking HERE +++++++++++++++
Wednesday 28th of December 2016 and it was heavy rolling when I went to bed. When I came on the bridge 8 in the morning the wind had decreased. Swell and light rolling in the south Sea of Bothnia. As soon as I entered Ålands Hav after 9 o'clock the swell was gone. Blue sky and sunshine, a beautiful morning.
Yesterday evening and I got the news that we will load 4000m³ in Karlshamn on the way to G:oteborg where we will load 5031m³ to mix the diesel. We will also load 2 parcels of gasoline in G:oteborg. And as it turns out, we will have to drop anchor in Karlshamn and most likely in G:oteborg. So I will go home from G:oteborg. +++++++++++++++
Thursday 29th of December 2016 and we were approaching Ölands Södra Grund Lighthouse when I came on the bridge 5 minutes to 8 o'clock in the morning. Not much wind, but the wind was  picking up. So when I reached Ölands Södra Grund Lighthouse I changed  course to SW and suddenly I had head wind.
At the end of my watch we had a force 7 blowing from the west, near gale. And they had had a gale warning on the radio, but as I wasn't paying any attention I don't know in what area. Change of the loading order, so I had to make a new loading plan after lunch. And we got some information about the loading in  G:oteborg. And as we will be anchored to night I can do the loading plan, good, the time will pass quickly.
We dropped anchor in the middle of the dinner. Ternvik is alongside in Karlshamn and there will come a ship to discharge when she is ready We will load the diesel from her cargo so we will not come alongside until tomorrow evening. I don't mind, I go home in G:oteborg and the later the better. More days is more dollars. +++++++++++++++
Friday 30th of December 2016 and we were still anchored outside Karlshamn when I came on the bridge 10 minutes before 8 o'clock in the morning. I could see 2 tugs escorting the ship next to us when they left for the jetty.
We will come alongside when they are ready alongside as we will load the same cargo she is discharging. It was gloom and grey for as long as I could see and I was happy that I will be on a flight south in a few day. And I might be on my way south earlier than expected, the schedule in G:oteborg have changed. So I will try to change my ticket to the 4th of January. Anyway, I have booked a 3 day / 2 night ULTIMATE ENCOUNTER - SNORKEL WITH SHARKS on Fiji. Snorkel with sharks 2 night Yasawa Island package with Awesome Adventure Fiji. So now I  have a little something to look forward to coming back to Fiji from Tonga.
So my Tonga adventure start to fall to place. All flights booked, and of course the Humpback whale adventure on Tonga. I have booked two night on Fiji coming from Auckland going to Tonga. Overnight in Auckland is also booked at an airport hotel. Remaining activities and hotel on Fiji and in Auckland going  back home. Fiji will of course be mostly in the sea. Auckland will be bird watching, and  maybe a beer or two.
Anyway, berthing is delayed as the boat alongside have changed her departure from 23:00 until tomorrow morning at 03:30. So I will spend the evening on the bridge enjoying my tea and maybe study  Fiji and activities to do there.
I have my Microsoft Windows calendar that I use for my planning, and it comes in pretty handy. The year is about to come to an end and even though I don't  have any hopes for anything to improve in the world 2017, especially not our environment and the globe we will leave to the next generation is in a pretty bad state. Humanity is also in a pretty bad shape, at least to say!
Anyway, I will take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year. Stay cool and drink responsibly as I used to do when I was young.   +++++++++++++++
Saturday 31st of December 2016 and we completed loading at 11:20. Pilot booked for 12 thirty and I was in my cabin when we left Karlshamn behind. I will sign off in G:oteborg so I will have to start to pack my bag. I already have a new paper box for my new swimming gear. I will pack my new Henderson Thermoprene mens 3mm shorty wetsuit (Special Edition) in my bag.
 Gloom and grey for long as I can see in Karlshamn
 Gloom and grey for long as I can see in Karlshamn
Time to go home, and I had not been busy for very long packing my bags before I realised that another (Or a bigger) paper box could come in handy. My wet suite and there is not space for much more in my bag Instantly, I grew tired of packing and I went to the bridge to do some paperwork. The usual coffee gang was on the bridge drinking coffee watching the weather turning from gloomy and grey  to real shitty. Force 8 from SW and that is what we expect until April 2017.
Throw in a few degrees below zero in the mix and, well, it is in the nick of time that I go back home. But as there is no seat for me until 6th of January I actually hope for us to be delayed at least until the 4th of January.
    Well, this year have come to an end. Hmm, almost, first we have to have the dinner. I went down to the mess room at 5 o'clock but I was soon discover that the dinner was at 18:30. I came in to the mess room 10 minutes past 5 and the mess room was empty. The tables was set for the dinner and there was a table full of candy and chocolate. And as I was alone I grabbed a handful and I went back to my cabin.
 We were watching the news at 6 and as on Christmas, they called us for dinner at 6 o'clock. What is the extra 30 minutes for? Anyway, I stayed in the mess room to finish the news, no  good news on the last day of the year. Even though (Luckily enough) I had my diet bet I was full when I left the table. Imagine without the diet bet. I would have been eating all the chocolate on top of the dinner.
Back in my cabin and I felt bad, yet again.    I went on bridge 20 minutes before 8 o'clock and I was experimenting to take pictures in the dark. Our 2nd Officer was in the chair so I practiced on him. He left the bridge at 8 o'clock, we were 20 NM or so East of Kullagrund lighthouse when I took over at 8 o'clock. We had a force 8 wind from SSW so it was head wind and we didn't made much of a speed. We worked our way towards west south of Trelleborg and I entered Falsterbo Rev TSS around 22 thirty. 20 minutes before midnight and our 2nd Officer cam on the bridge. And he seemed  surprised, he had expected the crew to be here for midnight.
10 minutes before midnight and the crew came on the bridge. They prepared the bubble (alcohol free) and I asked for Pepsi MAX, bubbling enough for me.  Preparing for midnight
 Preparing for midnight
 And next, it is 2017
We just have to click HERE to find out what 2017 has to offer us. HAPPY NEW YEAR!    |
OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it  be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.
 Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas
 Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!
 Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!
 Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra
 Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!
 คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next” ข้างบนนี้
 Вы говорите по-русски? NJET PROBLEMA! Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!
 E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.
 Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.
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