The sailing season is over

SY “Inismara” is lifted out of the water in Sandslån Marina, northern Sweden. Photograph: Markus Senn

Ashore.

September. The nights are turning chilly and the days noticeably shorter. Here in the north, the sailing season is already over. The boats come ashore and are prepared for winter, long before the Ångermanälven freezes over.

At our marina in Sandslån, a tractor of considerable proportions did the lifting. The slings were carefully positioned, the boats slowly lifted out of the water and lowered onto their trailers with millimetre precision.

My “Inismara” among them, looking almost fragile hanging in the heavy slings. One more day in the sunshine, then the long, dark stretch ashore begins.

I would gladly have sailed on a little longer.