Foul weather experience

We had a few rainy days this summer. So I went to SL to catch the sun. I found it, but I also found the worst virtual weather I've ever experienced. However, it all started beautifully. Somewhere in Folkvang...

Smooth sailing in the sunset

I accidentally found the viking ship, and when I hopped on, it (the ship) asked me if I wanted to go on a journey. I accepted and a whole story unfolded before my eyes. A true story of a viking journey.

The ravens cage

The attention to detail was quite unique. The ship had cargo covered with blankets or cow-hides,  barrels with I-dunno-what plus sheep and then there was the cage for the obligatory raven. The vikings used the raven to find the course to land - if they got lost at sea. Release it and see where it goes.

Arriving somewhere

So, I just sat there... the story was rather lengthy but interesting. However, the scenery was amazing. In fact it was so overwhelming, I'll admit I was too busy looking and taking pics to catch all the details of the story.

Waves

The waves were amazing too. They are difficult to catch on fotos in RL; They're even more difficult to catch in SL, but they're a pretty big deal. The SL waters may look watery and wet, but in fact they're flat as a pancake. Here, they had me worried. The waves.

Quiet night

Just as in RL the wind eased a bit at night, so here's a shot upwards. Pretty. Pretty realistic and pretty sleep inducing. It was so nice, but it wasn't gonna last...

Gaaaaah

This is what woke me up. It is - by very far - the worst virtual weather I have ever experienced. Lightning struck more than once near the boat. The wind picked up and closed in on storm. The waves grew taller and taller while heavy rain filled the air... Foul weather indeed.

Where's my horn

After a hefty night this was the morning... fog. Loads of it and thick too. Quite exciting in that scary way. Ahh, but not that scary. After all I kinda knew I wouldn't meet Emma Maersk or any of her siblings. That's comforting. Still, I had no horn and no charts... Hmm...

Land!

Staring at the horizon some 50 meters ahead expecting anything can be exhausting. Here, I finally saw some rocks. Good? Bad? Dunno yet. 

Let's find land

After a while the sun broke through and it was time to test the raven. Here she is... flying, circling, looking for land, and after a few minutes she took off. I followed.

Ahh, yes... the sun is back

Not much to see. I mean, - no land. The sun was up though, and that always helps cheering me up. Happily I splashed forward in the same direction. The Raven was out of sight, but finally...

LAND !!

Finally. This chalcky rock appeared and I knew the journey was about to end. Not with me being lost at sea, but with me landing somewhere... presumably nice. Maybe there'd be a pub nearby, so I could get a beer. I won't tell. Go check the journey yourself... it all begins somewhere in Folkvang.

Update: Yes, all pictures are 100% true and unmanipulated screenshots.

Unidentified Vikings

Never before seen types of vikingships spotted off the coast of Tradewinds YC. These boats have carved decorations, dragonheads, shields and other details.

Vikings to starboard

I talked to the owner. She looked kinda vikingish. Light skin, red-ish hair, dressed in old fashioned womens clothing.

Different winds

She did not know what sail engine was inside. It probably sailed on SL wind, since they kept turning to catch the wind. In any case, they did not use the same wind as I did.

Dragons and shields

They are built by something called Nightshade Design. I'll have to look it up and maybe get me one of these nicely made boats.

If you like vikingships, you might also wanna read about Linteus Denchs ship.

Vikings to starboard

A few days after the Italian job, Linteus Dench dropped by again. We had a fun boat talk, and then we launched a couple of Roar Eges. Sailed off in the early morning.

Me chasing Lint

I love the morning at Tradewinds. The colours are simply... incroyable. The silouet of Viking ships on horizon only makes it better. Above it's just me chasing Lint.

We have a visual

Imagine a movie  of us, meaning the Vikings, taking England with a massive fleet of Viking ships. In SL we could create a scene with hundreds of copies of Roar Ege.

Closing in

Each boat should of course be full of wild and blood thirsty savages. Here's my prey in sight. Let's see if I can get any closer. Swords and shields ready. Battlestations it is. 

Woohooo

Ok, actually we had a friendly sail with fun maneuvers and more boat talk. A modern cellphone works quite well - even on an oldtimer like this.

Battlestations!

Such a beautiful morning with boats and stuff... and then back to Tradewinds again. Want more about Roar Ege, then click here: Roar Ege rounds Fastnet Rock.

Roar Ege rounds Fastnet Rock

Back to the story about Sharp-Tooth-Isle. There are so many beautiful boats to sail. This time - as so often before - I simply logged in to Tradewinds Yacht Club and there she was; I was excited, because I have seen that particular boat many times - in real life. Moored in Roskilde. Sailing in Kattegat.

Back to the roots

It is of course the Roar Ege, aka Skuldelev 3, a viking merchant ship built around 1040 A.D. Beautifully rebuilt from scratch by the Viking ship museum in Roskilde, and now beautifully replicated into SL. I immediately contacted the builder, Linteus Dench and asked for a ride. He responded right away - and next time I logged in, it was time to take Roar Ege down south to the Blake Sea.

Me and Roar Ege rounding the Fastnet Rock in the sunset.

I so wanted to round the Fastnet Rock in Roar Ege; Always thought Captain JP's topbar picture was fantastic. This was my opportunity to take a perfect picture of a historic boat rounding a historic rock. The images are hi-res, so click'em to full screen, lean back and dream a little.

Full speed ahead...

So what's it like sailing Roar Ege? She sails well. Upwind sailing might not be her favourite, but apart from that - it is a pleasure. Easy to handle, nice sounds and the lovely BWind sailing engine for a natural sailing experience. Above I am going south - south-west of the Blake Sea, - after passing the Fastnet Rock. I forgot to note the speed, but from the picture I'd estimate we're close to top speed; The Roskilde site tells me, that's around 8-10 knots.

Have a look at the details.

The boat is full of tiny details, ropes, knots, steering oars and what not; I took a million great pictures and, I'd really like to put them all up here. However, these here will have to do, or the blog will be flooded. Besides, I am off to RL for for some real sailing; What can I say... priorities.

More details

Get a viking ship yourself, and go explore the seas of SL.You can catch a few more pictures of the boat at the Tradewinds blog, if you're hungry for more. I had a great time sailing the Roar Ege, and now I am looking to book a trip in the real thing. Yes, it's possible.

See the amazing view from Fastnet Rock.
Roar Ege is a little too old school for you? Check the Foiling Moth or the Q2m.