Holiday sailing trip

As the holiday is limited to 1 1/2 weeks, the cruise was also very short and started with a small disaster!

On Monday, the cruise should go. On the weekend before, I was with two dear colleagues on a little fishing trip. On the way back, at the buoy Flensburg Fjord, the rudder blade broke right in the water line – just like that. No pressure on the rudder – nothing – simply broken.

Monday I went with a drawing to a small shipyard in Flensburg and they have actually built a new rudder until Tuesday evening – with the statement: “It lasts forever.”

On wednesday it finally started. 9:45 I passed the port exit towards Maasholm. Here the ropes were made fast after a great sailing day with great weather and good winds at 17:35. Once a year I have to go Maasholm. No idea why, but there it is just beautiful. I like the fishermen at the port, I like the small, overcrowded baker’s shop where you can by good bread and I like the clean sanitary facilities. And last but not least the beautiful nature of the Schlei.

Kalkgrund

The next morning I went at 10:00 clock on towards Marstal on Ærø. Of course, the wind shifted halfway to exactly counterclaims. Without further ado, new course direction Søby. With wind abeam to Ærø´s south coast, and then the little blow up after Søby. This idea probably had a few more sailors. The small harbor was packed! After an hour of waiting a motorboat made place and so it was called at 17:00 clock: Ropes fixed!

The friendly harbor master came to the port to collect money and asked:
“Two days?”
Me: “No, no, tomorrow it goes on.”
Harbour Master: “I do not think so, but whatever.”
Me: “What??”
The next morning, I knew why the harbourmaster wanted to immediately take the money for two days: It was so much wind that (almost) no one went out.
The day in Søby went by quickly. A long sleep, a good breakfast and then a long walk. Did you actually know that you may use the buses for free on Ærø? Now that’s a great facility!

On Saturday at 8:45 clock I went with as good as no wind towards Lyø. The last time that I traveled to Lyø is years back. At that time it was a small harbor and very comfortable. Now it is a loud, totally crowded and uncomfortable place. The harbor master squeezes purely everything in that goes. When I pulled in at 12:30 clock, I got one of the last free places and thought: “lucky me!” Two hours later we were 4 boats in two boxes. Fits somehow.

One thing has not changed since my last visit, however. There is still only one toilet and one shower – now, however, for at least 150 boats. Creepy! My next visit will definitely not be in the harbor. I will anchor in the small bay in front of the harbor.
The island itself is beautiful. The little walk to the “Købmand” is always worthwhile. Not only that he has almost everything in stock, particularly the way back is beautiful. From there you have a magnificent view on Sydfynen.

Sunday – Course Wackerballig. At 9:30 cast off and at great wind out of the hubbub! In the middle of the small Belt the wind turned off. From one to another minute wind speed is zero. Mirror-like sea! “It will not take a long time and the wind comes again,” I thought. It remained in thinking. Even after three hours yet duldrums. OK, engine on and direction Flensburg Fjord. After a further 2 hours, the wind God had a mercy and let it at least blow a little.
Then something very special happened. Something cracked in the sail and then on deck. Seconds later I looked at a completely exhausted pigeon on the spray hood. When she had recovered a little she jumped into the cockpit, then in the decline and after thorough examination she took the plunge below deck. Here she made herself comfortable and after drinking a sip of water from a shot glass, she crouched down to sleep. There she sat, until I reached Wackerballig at 18:00 clock. Despite the hubbub when equipped, so running across the deck, mounting fenders and so on, “Taubi” remained completely relaxed. As peace stopped off in the ship, Taubi opened her eyes, ventured out, sat to the motor, made a shit and then she flew away – again towards the sea. I think she allways does it in this way – playing blind passenger!

Monday morning I went on at 10:30 clock after a leisurely breakfast. Unfortunately there was no wind, but it was ok. I only should go to Langballigau. At 14:00 clock this trip was done. In the evening I was out eating fish at the “Strandperle”.