We have already done a 5-year voyage over 13 countries from the North Sea to the Black Sea, crossing the European continent through scenic internal river and canal arteries. After arriving back in the UK, last year we bought a bigger lifeboat to fit out for the next adventure https://www.patreon.com/c/boatingeurope
The next voyage, tracing the historic Volga trade route and travelling across completely contrasting geographic and cultural worlds. But it is frustrating when geopolitics get in the way of a planned itinerary, given the current realities, we need to hold on those plans. Navigating a vessel from Finland through Russia’s internal waterways (Volga-Baltic Waterway), down to the Caspian Sea, and over to Iran is an incredible adventure, but it is currently a geopolitical minefield.
The Russian inland waterways, internal canals and the Volga River are highly militarized and strictly controlled zones. Since the expansion of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the has been persistent, long-range drone strikes hitting oil refineries, shipping infrastructure, and military targets directly within the Volga and Caspian basins. The Caspian Sea has become an active logistical corridor for state and military transport between Russia and Iran. Combined with severe Western sanctions, volatile regional security, and strict maritime blackouts, taking a private vessel into this corridor is incredibly high-risk. Even if it was safe to travel, permits for foreign-flagged pleasure craft or private vessels are effectively impossible to secure.
What can we do now, the boat is almost ready for sea trials https://photos.app.goo.gl/Th8nBFvwS6WnRpXH9
We could still do the Scandinavian wilderness for Nordic silence and vast northern pine forests of Finland. Exploring the Göta Canal across Sweden to navigate the complex, breathtaking archipelagos of Finland and Norway’s deep fjords. Then if Russia opens up in a few years we are in the right place
Or more realistic maybe is to head down the rivers of France to the Med, for an easy life. But is also geopolitical issues, with Brexit, the growing #climatechaos and flood of refuges over the next years.
Life on a lifeboat.
