Alfheimr Renaissance

The spinning wheel and the carding machine have arrived in the mansion, and Iselin and Kari already know how the machines are supposed to be used, but since it isn't something they should show the guests, they will be kept in a basement vault until after the wedding week. I need help to test how both work, and those that do test will help me with improvements and teach others. Jane, who recognises a spinning wheel by its 'classic' appearance, is amused by Iselin's enthusiasm, and Jane teases Iselin that she wants to skip her wedding feast guests to spin wool. Iselin's denial doesn't feel honest, so it's probably true. I get it, and a feast like this will give Iselin time to try a bit of carding or spinning every now and then. Jane smile as she poke Iselin and calls her a 'Nerd', who immediately gets a pleased happy smile at what she perceives to be a compliment. Jane still doesn't seem to understand that since she generally calls me a 'nerd' for doing something often impressive technology wise or tricky craftsmanship, in conjunction with it being something I can or will do but she can't or won't, 'nerd' have become interpreted as slight prestigious and just jealousy from Jane.

Outside of my sambos, only Caecilia, Alith and Jolfr know about a special idea about a boat race, so during supper I tell our guests that during the Northmen Ting, I will announce that a couple of days after Midsummer I will organise a boat race around Tosra, with start and finish line south of here, probably in Lysesund if the people there agree. A total distance of about 60km, which just so happen to also be the distance from here to Borgarsandr, and the race will include everything from narrow straits, cruising between the islands ans shallows in the fjord, to a stretch along the coastal sea, and the wind will have to be tackled from all directions. The start will be early in the morning at 4 o'clock, since the plan is to finish in the afternoon-evening depending on the wind, although of course the weather and wind will decide everything. During midsummer at this latitude, the night won't have been dark and the sun will have been up for an hour or so, and from the start racers will have 17 hours of daylight until sunset. Probably two classes; one class open to all sailing vessels, regardless of type as long as the boat's hull at the waterline is more than 25 ells - i.e. 11.2 meter - and only using sails as propulsion, and one class racing the following day that is the same size but otherwise free for propulsion so things like oars are allowed. So two days of competitions. After the big ships have cleared the area after an hour or so, there will be races with smaller boats, for two-three people in a boat under 12 ells at the waterline, i.e. 5.4 meter. They will race in the water between Ackerek, Tosra and the mainland. Start at Lysesund, round a couple of islands south of Big Ackerek, head south and round islands between Tosra and the mainland, and then back to the finish by Lysesund. It is about 15.5 kilometers, and with similar rules about first day is pure sailing, and use what ever propulsion they want the next day. The start and finish line will be the same for all competitions. I want that start and finish in Lysesund, partially so they have the sunrise in their back during the start, and since I don't want all participants here on the islands. The mainland is just far more accessible than using an island without bridge access, and I expect there will be many who will just watch. There will be a requirement for life jackets on all participants, and that there is a unique flag or marked sail on each boat so that the boat can be identified from a distance. Each large boat must give the organiser the same logo/flag on a 20 by 30 centimeter wooden plate to be hung up on a large wall to keep track of race progress.

There will be prizes in each race for the crew and boat owner to share, plus of course the honour, but each owner/family may only enter two boats in each class, and there will be no foul play where boats cooperate to block competitors etc. I will have surveillance along the coast, and probably some radio updates even if I don't mention that, and if the watchers see foul play, a boat can be disqualified, which might be disgraceful. As prizes, I'm thinking of giving each crew member a silver ring, with the race logo, year and racing class. The captain or owner of big boats might get a gold ring. All participants names will be recorded in a special book, where race results will also be recorded. One book for each year, and once I can print books, those books will be available to buy. Most likely, at least the start will be signalled with a bang. I'm also thinking of having a special prize that's just because someone somehow have impress or feels worth it, and have people vote for it. It might be for sportsmanship or something.

Asbjörn have been grinning as I explain and comment: "I think someone want to win with the Millennium Eagle."

"Of course I would like the honour of being the owner of the fastest ship and the most skilled crew here in the north, but I will enter ships in all classes. An unladen Knarr with a crew of 3 will be really fast in the right wind, and might be able to take a better route that saves time compared to a deeper drafting ship like the Eagle. Much of the race will be in tricky to navigate shallow waters. Longships with many rowers have a huge advantage in some weather, or when the wind direction is wrong. And then there are the small boat classes, meant to be accessible for anyone with a faering."

Asta immediately ask if I'll allow her to Captain the Millennium Eagle, which I of course will, but she also starts thinking about how she and the crew can participate with their own small boats. Those that do can't sail with the Eagle since two races happen at the same time, and they can compete for their own glory. I expect Asta and the crew to practice and truly get to know the water where the racing will happen in the next few months, and I'll probably have plenty of volunteers to collect depth data for charts and just learning the route and options.

The boat race becomes the big topic of conversation, not least when they understand I mainly see organised competition as a way to motivate the development of boats, sails, techniques, navigation and seamanship. I am keen to build a fast sailing 5 meter boat and participate myself, but probably not until next year. I want to have time to build a fast small boat with a more modern hull, sail solution and center keep, as well as the opportunity to really practice and sail the route several times before. Even if I would like to sail alone and design so that I don't need help in the boat, I will need to have at least one guard with me, and the rules will require two or three people in the small boat classes. Most people don't understand that I made the second day classes completely free, precisely so that motorboats of different types can be used, even though motorboats will probably get their own classes in the future, during a third day. It would also be fun to eventually try building some kind of hovercraft. Then there are hydrofoil boats. I consider it unlikely to be able to build something like a hydrofoil catamaran that actually works well, but it is a good idea to eventually try to introduce the technology. But that will require many years, and a completely different way of constructing boats. Frankly, in a few years, I'll want something like a more modern cutter or so something instead of the Eagle. It's a good ship, but more modern and with a small steam engine would be preferable.

In the future, I have plans to organise a simpler sports competition as well, with a couple of running distances, cross-country riding, archery, javelin, strength, swimming, etc, with some kind of combined pentathlon. No Olympiad, but just an unusual, fun and interesting event. There will probably have to be qualifying events, and there should be a couple of big stadiums.

Bodil tells us that the barometer has dropped quite drastically during the afternoon and I make sure that they warn the guests that the night might be stormy. The temperature is already below zero so there can come quite a bit of snow overnight if things get bad. Hrappr and the workers in the village have been warned that I want paths cleared to the road and some parts of the islands main road, and Hrappr is actually looking forward to trying out the snow shovel I made with a brass blade. The staff use the opportunity to put out more water in buckets and tubs to get more ice for the ice box. It should be for short time use only, until the lake ice is taken up. I've done a quick calculation of the lake ice, and even if we avoid reed areas and such, just 25mm thick ice on the village lake will fill the ice house, but 25mm is too thin to walk on and we will have to use boats to saw it up. The ice box has fascinated many, and the rumours about our ice box and ice house experiments have spread. In retrospect, many people think it is so obvious, because it is well known that ice and snow can lie on the mountains in the north even during the summer. I don't mind if people experiment with building their own root cellar like versions.

As expected, Myrun is more than happy to start a joint venture to start shipping and selling ice. The huge lake inland from Skiringsalr freezes every year with thick clear ice, and one or two of my merchant ships along with a couple of Myruns will ship ice to Borgarsandr, and hopefully to more places in the future. We are both going to visit Reiekrône this spring and can talk with people there. I have already invested a lot here and in Borgarsandr so they are 'my areas', while Myrun will build a large ice house in Skiringsalr for her own silver. A future problem is building ice houses in suitable places, and getting land for it. It is very likely that some local Storman will be the one to own the ice house and we will just sell and ship the ice, but we will have a discussion about other future locations, and I do own land where Myrun does not, so I can build an ice house there, and Myrun agree to not compete. Of course I will buy the ice for my ice houses, but for a cheaper price. If we build a proper and efficient organisation to ship ice, we can more easily out-compete others who will try to sell ice, by dumping the local price, and with a bigger organisation and better technology, we should be able to establish ourselves before anyone else gets the chance. Myrun is very amused with the whole idea of selling and earning silver from something that just is there for free on the water, and without having to grow or take care of it. Like picking up silver from the ground.

Of course, I could try getting and selling ice on my own, and buy ice from more places than Skiringalr, but without my own people loyal to me, and considering how damn simple the concept is, I might as well work together with Myrun. My primary goal is to get ice boxes out to the public, and to earn silver is secondary. So it's better to cooperate with Myrun, and if it really becomes popular, lots of ships to carry all the ice will be needed, because there is limited time each year, and sailing takes time. Myrun has absolutely realised how big the market can become, and all the logistical issues.

So I show Myrun all my drawings and plans for tools, both sawing by hand and with horse-drawn saws, with horseshoes for ice, tools for handling, special sleds getting the blocks up, and how loading and unloading should be done.