Journey

The chapters of the project, not only the sailing legs

This is the order of the project: what led to this point, what is happening now, and what hopefully waits further out on the road. The plan is to sail south towards Portugal in late July, but departure has to line up with the boat, the budget, and the weather. There is still a lot that needs to be done, and it matters not to rush off at the expense of safety. August is the real deadline, and if things do not come together by then, the winter will be spent in Norway and departure will move to the spring instead.

Route map

Planned main route

This shows the main lines as they look right now: from Southern Norway south to the Algarve, out to Horta, back to Southern Norway again, and from there north along the Norwegian coast. The map is meant as an honest overview, not as a finished sailing log down to every last harbour and waypoint.

Southern Norway to Algarve Algarve to Horta Horta back to Southern Norway North to Nordkapp

The offshore legs are simplified to give a clear overview. The actual passages will, naturally enough, be shaped by weather, timing, harbours, and all the other things that usually insist on having an opinion.

The background that made this more than an idea

Childhood-2025

Long before the project had a name or a website, it already had a long prehistory. Boats had been part of life all the way through, and running had followed me for more than twenty years. When those two met in Horta in 2017, something clicked. The year after, everything stopped.

Raised with boats From the beginning

I grew up on an island on Norway's south coast, got my first sailboat when I was nine, and had sailed large parts of the Norwegian coast long before Marthine entered the picture.

Running stayed Early twenties and onward

Running began early in my twenties and in practice became a permanent part of life. Over time, the longer outings and the mountains were what pulled the most.

Horta, first attempt, and an abrupt stop 2017-2018

In Horta the idea of sailing and running as one connected way of travelling took shape. The first attempt the following year came to a halt when the body stopped the project in a very unpoetic way.

Right now: Melsomvik, wrenching, and steady progress

April 2026

This is the phase where the project is being built from the bottom up. I live on board, go to work, train, and use my free time to make the boat safer, simpler, and more livable. Most of it is about technical systems and groundwork right now, not big sailing legs.

Daily life and preparation in Melsomvik Spring 2026

The boat is both project and home. The goal is not only to make systems work, but to make life on board work over time.

The engine room is being done over properly Spring 2026

The engine installation was solved temporarily in order to move the boat from Vallø to Melsomvik. Now everything has to be disconnected, lifted, and rebuilt properly.

First test and the course south Summer 2026

The Færder Race will be the first proper test with Marthine. After that the plan is to continue south once the boat is ready and the weather is willing to cooperate.

What lies ahead if the boat, the body, and the weather are willing to cooperate

2026-2027

The plan is fairly simple on paper and quite extensive in practice: get Marthine ready, test her properly, head south in time, return to Horta in the spring of 2027, and begin the official part of the journey there. After that the course turns north, with stops wherever good outings ashore are likely.

The Færder Race as the first proper test Summer 2026

The first real sailing trip with Marthine will be the Færder Race. It will be a sensible way of finding out what actually works and what only looks good on a list.

South towards Portugal July/August 2026, or April/May 2027

The goal is not to rush, but to do things properly and safely. Once the boat is ready and the weather window is right, the course turns south. Ideally, I want to spend the winter in Portugal, but not at the expense of safety.

Back to Horta and then north Spring 2027 and onward

Ten years after the idea first appeared, I want to return to Horta and run the route that started it all. After that the project continues north, harbour by harbour and mountain by mountain.