What started with a somewhat grumpy car ride in 2001, resulted in twenty years of passionate interest in the ship Götheborg. Recently, Inga Blomstrand and Leif Bäckman, joined their 40th weekend of volunteering at the ship.
The 40th work weekend was celebrated with two cakes, books from the gift shop and some work on gun deck on board.
It was Inga’s idea to first visit the ship. As Leif had built a boat before, she thought that he would be interested in seeing the building project. Leif thought differently, and that it was way too far to drive the 300 kms to Gothenburg from their homes in Örebro, just to look at a ship being built.
“On the way home, all we talked about was the ship”, says Inga and laughs.
More than sixty times on board
Since that first time they’ve been on board another sixty times, and even visited the ship in Guangzhou (Canton) in 2006. After all the hours spent on Götheborg, they have seen every little nook and cranny of the boat, and they feel very at home on board.
“It’s the incredible craftsmanship that we love about Götheborg; the original materials and that all is being hand crafted”, says Leif. “We absolutely love being on board and volunteering. We really enjoy meeting all the people around the ship and the other volunteers. The atmosphere is always very good.”
Many types of tasks
They’ve had all kinds of jobs during the forty work weekends they’ve been on board – from the first weekend when they were doing inventorying in the gun room, two decks down in the aft of the ship (and first couldn’t find it), to measuring blocks, putting together yards or tightening the standing rigging. Leif has also done work up in the rigging in previous years, but nowadays they both stay down on deck.
The new adventures
Leif has sailed with the ship twice, Inga once – but it’s being on board and working on the ship that they both enjoy the most. They won’t sail on the ship as she heads out towards Asia in 2022, but they will follow her voyage closely.
“We are really happy to see Götheborg sail again, as she is meant to, and we will follow her adventures.”
Sailing to Stockholm in 2008
Work weekend in 2011
Work weekend in 2012
Work weekend in 2012
Work weekend in 2013
Favourite memory
Inga: There are so many memories, but the very best is probably the launch of the ship in June 2003. That was a very emotional occasion, I actually cried. We weren’t even sure she would float.
Leif: When the ship returned to Gothenburg in 2007. Inga had organised so that we were on a boat that went out to meet the ship. That is a great memory.
Favourite spot on board
Inga: The gun room, because that was the first place we worked while volunteering. And because it’s such a special place with the moving tiller and the tiller rope made out of moose hide.
Leif: For me it’s the workshop on the pier. On board, as I have an interested in technology, I think the engine room is most interesting.
Den 17 juli kör vi Zumba®️ på Ostindiefararen!
Vi har alltid dansat på skeppet, men nu är det dags att bjuda in Lena Hellmers Eberhard, som kommer att hålla i en dansklass ombord. Så här säger Lena om eventet:
"Zumba®️Fitness är en träningsform vilken kombinerar dans och träning med rytmer, från främst latinamerikansk musik som salsa, merengue, reggaeton och cumbia.
Det är en energifylld träning som är rolig och enkel eftersom den känns mer som en dansfest. Zumba®️ Fitness är utformad för att förbättra kondition, styrka och koordination, samtidigt som det ger glädje.
Zumba®️ Fitness är populärt över hela världen och kan anpassas för olika åldersgrupper och träningsnivåer.
Har du inte provat så kom till Ostindiefararen Götheborg på Eriksberg, pir 4 där du även kan känna historiens vingslag. Vi börjar kl 17!
Ta med dig vattenflaska och träningsskor och ditt hjärta så dansar vi tillsammans!
ALLA kan vara med!
Varmt välkomna"
Gothenburg is getting its very own version of Monopoly, and we at the Ostindiefararen Götheborg are honored to host the release party for the game! 🎉 27th of June 11:00-16:00
Come meet Mr. Monopoly, get the game before anyone else, and enjoy a fun-filled day on the pier. Several other businesses featured in the game will also be there, offering great deals, fun activities for the kids, and entertainment for the whole family.
Admission is free, but don’t forget to reserve your spot!
You can also pre-order the game now, but it’s not required to get tickets.
GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
Spring is truly here, and we’ve started getting ready to rig all three topmasts.
We’re now looking for help with applying tar to the standing rigging.
You’re welcome to join us for anything from a full week to just half a day.
Unfortunately, we can’t offer accommodation, but we do provide lunch and have work clothes available.
Please bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty to wear underneath, depending on the weather.
If you’re interested, please send an email to volunteer@gotheborg.se
