Position: 58°58.91’N, 18°19.74’E

The Uto Windmill, a prominent landmark as we pass west of Uto en route to Huvudskar.

Position: 58°58.79’N, 18°23.64’E

Many of the outlying islands in the Stockholm Archipelago are controlled by the Swedish Navy and fishing, anchoring or diving is forbidden.

Position: 58°58.01’N, 18°34.23’E

Out in the tender for a quick tour of the anchorage at Huvudskar.

Position: 58°58.11’N, 18°34.09’E

The fabulous anchorage at Huvudskar on the outer edge of the Stockholm Archipelago (click image for a full-sized view). This would be a rare scene in the summer, with only one boat in view. We’ve so far seen only one pleasure craft underway since arriving in Sweden, let alone shared an anchorage.

Position: 58°57.95’N, 18°34.16’E

Happy Hour in the sunny cockpit. While in the UK we purchased a couple of thick outdoor blankets and these work great for keeping warm in cooler temperatures. The temperature is 43°F (6.1°C) but with the sunshine and no wind, we didn’t even need the patio heater.

Position: 58°57.95’N, 18°34.16’E

Another beautiful Swedish sunset. We’re sure loving it here—the scenery and lack of crowds more than makes up for the colder weather.

Position: 58°57.95’N, 18°34.19’E

The village at Huvudskar, pictured at dawn, is one of the most painted in Sweden. A fishing village was here in the Middle Ages, and later the island became known as a pilot-, customs- and lighthouse station. The old customs house is now a hostel and the pilot’s house contains a small museum exhibiting Huvudskar. As far as we can tell, we’re currently the only people here.

Position: 58°57.95’N, 18°34.19’E

Another exceptional Swedish sunrise. We sure are feeling spoiled with the weather and conditions.

Position: 58°57.94’N, 18°34.19’E

Frost on the tender this morning.

Position: 58°58.07’N, 18°34.13’E

Huvudskar aglow in the morning sun—what a fabulous anchorage.

Position: 58°57.95’N, 18°34.19’E

Conditions are especially calm this morning—the water surface is hardly ruffled.

Position: 58°57.96’N, 18°34.20’E

Our first cove-mate since arriving in Sweden. As is the custom here, the occupants of Cellina moored with a stern anchor and the bow close to shore so they could disembark. We’re wondering why this style is so popular in Sweden, whereas stern-tying is more popular in the Pacific Northwest. Perhaps the Swedish approach alleviates the need for a tender to reach shore?

Update: We’re told this is the primary reason. This approach only works well in places like the Baltic with little tidal range.

Position: 58°57.96’N, 18°34.20’E

A late evening meal at Huvudskar with the cockpit aglow in the setting sun.

Position: 58°57.96’N, 18°34.18’E

Dawn at Huvudskar. What am amazing place.

Position: 58°57.96’N, 18°34.20’E

We were interested in changing thermostats for our reverse cycle heating and cooling system. What we were hoping to do is to find a generic thermostat that supports an IR remote but he ran into two problems: 1) most “smart” thermostats no longer use IR and instead have Android and IOS apps that interact with cloud services (not a great solution for a boat), and 2) the Dometic thermostats are very proprietary designs where both the control board mounted at the HVAC unit and the wall mounted thermostat are paired. Dometic does have a IR remote capable thermostat the SMXir and this would be a nice solution. But, installing it requires changing all 5 control boards at each HVAC unit and all five thermostats. This is a bit of work but what really slows us down is that it would cost over $1,500. It just doesn’t seem worth it so we’re not going to follow through on that one. Let us know if you know a solution that would be compatible with the Dometic Passport I/O system.

Position: 58°57.96’N, 18°34.18’E

Its Saturday, and more boats are arriving. This one caught our attention with its custom ladder mounted off the bow, allowing the person to step off easily and tie a line ashore (click image for a larger view).

Position: 58°57.86’N, 18°34.16’E

Ashore on Alandsskar looking back at our anchorage. That’s a pumpout just offshore from our tender.

Position: 58°57.71’N, 18°34.19’E

The seascape around Huvudskar is really beautiful.

Position: 58°57.77’N, 18°34.21’E

Jennifer standing on one of several cement pillars. They appear to be guywire mounts for a large antenna mast.

Position: 58°57.77’N, 18°34.21’E

Looking east across Alandsskar to the lighthouse and beyond.

Position: 58°57.83’N, 18°34.43’E

Another boat, tucked into a nook and bow-tied.

Position: 58°57.79’N, 18°33.87’E

Out touring in the tender. The temperature has shot up to 49°F (9.4°C), warm enough we don’t need a hat or gloves.

Position: 58°57.95’N, 18°34.17’E

The evening sun lighting up a late-afternoon arrival who picked up one of the Swedish Cruising Club buoys.

Position: 58°57.96’N, 18°34.19’E

Moonrise over the anchorage at Huvudskar.