Carra Tidings

The drive out was uneventfully and thankfully much shorter, as we only had to drive to Denmark, as opposed to Sweden. Putting the boat back in the water, was a relaxed affair and my only mishap was whilst stepping onto the boat. I had a foot either side of the guard rail (think 8mm horizontal wire) and my foot slipped off the boat and by some innate self-perseveration, I went for 3 points of contact to save myself – though the choice of face, pinky finger and top of my inner groin was not my wisest idea and if I had landed 1 inch to the right, it would have, at best resulted in a bikini wax and worse, a period of abstinence! Thankfully, it resulted in only bruises to both body and ego.

Each year, I need to remember the knitting of wires, halyards, sheets and reefing lines to put the boat back together, after the mast is put back on – thankfully only 3 mistakes this year – the worst of which was setting up the reefs incorrectly, though in my defence it was done at 11:15pm in the pitch black. Thinking I was benefiting from the lack of wind, but it had to be redone later, when I could see!

Leaving Augustenborg, we sailed a short distance to Sønderborg– the scene of much mischief, when I was in the Army in Germany – to think I used to get paid to sail. Waiting out a miserably wet day, we really try to avoid sailing in the rain, Mags was chatting to a British chap who was talking to her, from the quay side. He asked her  if “hubby was down below”. His  Danish wife looked mortified by his comment. But we needed to come up with a better response, other than steam pouring out of our nostrils. We decided Mags could say “my wife is the Skipper” and if I was asked, could say “my wife is the Engineer”. Little did we know it would be put to use a few hours later, when Mags was approached by some American Jehovah  witnesses…. (who were trying to give out The Book of Mormon in Spanish in Denmark – go figure) – her riposte was remarkably effective at ending their recruitment pitch!

Luckily, the next day was beautiful sunshine and for most the way a fair wind, so we barrelled our along  to the town of Bagenkop. Although a purpose built holiday village, it had a charming harbour.  After a few days, of admin, boat maintenance trying to find a leak, which was baffling as it had water, oil and fuel in it. The oil and fuel culprits were tracked down, and solved leaving just the water which we think is the stern gland.

The alarm at  3am was a bit grim, on our day of departure but we were rewarded with a beautiful sunrise. Though as it sun rose  – the wind died. Followed by a frustrating motorsail to Gedser, a convenient harbour, in lovely rural surroundings,  with a town, which was a ferry port and was devoid of any personality – a bit like Holyhead!