On the western side of Lake Ladoga, Dalyokaya Bukhta (60 deg 34.33N/30 deg 40.88E) is a peaceful, forested bay, guarded by two spectacular cardinal marks.
The water was glassy and the bay deserted but for two immobile fishermen and some sea otters frolicking on the rocks. Blue Dove is back in her element. Feels just like our time on the Volga.
After morning douches in Ladoga’s fresh waters we shared coffee with a couple of curious locals who motored by.
We are under constant surveillance by the authorities, who phoned us this morning to ask why we hadn’t told them of this stop en route Valaam. This drives our skipper crazy.
It is only 15 miles to the 14th century monastic island of Konevets, where we can wait out some rain and fresh northerlies for a couple of days, stretch out legs and explore.
Boat business is smooth. The new windlass is superb and our only unresolved issue is preparing the anchor. Its shackle is too big for the bow fairlead so you have to personhandle the anchor out through the pulpit. More than Maxine can manage. The solution is simple – an Italian slimline Kong connector, probably the most important item on her to do list. For now her elderly crew will do the grunt work. As he does.