Freyja goes to the Baltic - the first leg (cont’d)

We walked around town and out to the low cliffs to view the way we came in. Definitely one for a return visit.

Back to Germany and Finish 70nm

The last two days were an anticlimax as the wind persisted light from the NW and we were going SE. We did try the spinnaker for a while on the leg from Bagenkop to Fehmarn but mostly we were motoring. We went under the Fehmarn bridge (height 22m vs our air draft of 18.5m) and found a marina on the island at Burgtiefe. This was a convenient stop but a tourist development with one restaurant and a lot of apartments. It is best remembered for its Rundsteg – a circular jetty which makes finding your way back to the boat extra difficult - and a pizza vending machine which had a queue.

The final day was a repeat as we motored downwind in 7 knots, and up the river to our final berth in Marina Baltica. In the approaches there were yachts everywhere, all sailing in the very light winds. One of the advantages for the Baltic sailor is that there are few currents and the locals love to hoist their sails in even the lightest winds - regrettablywe had a timetable to follow. Once into the river proper the traffic was busy. Large ferries come in and out on the route to Sweden and Finland, while smaller ferries cross the river from one side to the other.

Day tripper boats and yachts are everywhere, including tall ships and classics. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to explore Lubeck which is apparently very beautiful and it was soon time to catch the train to Hamburg and the flight back to Blighty and home.

Thanks to my shipmates Nigel, Andrew and Clint. I’m sure you won’t forget our escapades in a hurry!