German waters again

Having said goodbye to Sonderburg, our last port in Denmark, we cruised up the long Fiord to Flendsburg, in Germany. The port of Flendsburg has special meaning to me, having read 'The Riddle of the Sands' many years ago. That maritime spy story began here, and the historic seafaring town lived up to the image in my mind.
  

Flendsburg waterfront

Flendsburg. A contrast in boatbuilding

In the waterfront boatyard were restoration projects, alongside an authentic but scaled down 'Man of War' being built.

The current 'Braasch' generation, look after the family Rum business

Flensburg, was once in Demark with a History of bringing Rum from the once Danish Carribean islands. We visit the last remaining family owned rum suppliers in Flendsburg.   

We arrive in Kiel on a windyregatta day.

Our passage back South was to be via the Kiel canal, arriving during Kiel regatta week.

Traffic on the Kiel canal, the busiest man made waterway in the World

Wind farm towers on their way down the canal

Antiope in the shadow of ships entering the locks day and night.

In Brunsbuttle at the Western end of the canal, we join the Elbe river which will take us up through Hamburg and on our way Berlin, once more.

The colours of Denmark

12th June.
Our time in Baltic waters is nearly over, We have new waterways to explore. We have cruised through the archipelago of islands south from Copenhagen, and as I write this post in Sonderborg, our last Danish harbour, with the coastline of Germany across Flensburg Fiord,  a lasting memory of our time in Denmark will be the colours.

'Dannebrog' The oldest national flag in the world 

Crystal clear waters

Seafarers house

Svendborg

Praesto

Nyhavn, Copenhagen

Aeroskobing

Faaborg

An experience, last night while at anchor in a sheltered inlet 'Dyvig', on the island of Als, was the sight of a rare 'Harbour Porpoise' hunting for fish. These small sub arctic mammals are on the endangered list, with only an estimated 1000 remaining in Danish waters.     

Our plan from here will take us into Flensburg Fiord before heading to Kiel, the North Sea canal and up the Elbe river. 

Smooth waters to Svendborg

June 1st. Following a few windy days in Preasto it is good to be underway again, and after
a careful passage across the notorious and shallow Bogestrom and we find a snug berth at Nyord for the night. an island barely a mile across.
Next port is Vordingborg, where we climb the hill a rare experience in Denmark and walk around the 'Goose tower' the only surviving remains of Denmarks' largest fortress dating back to 1200.

The Goose tower at Vordingborg

Taking advantage of calm weather we head further West towards Svendborg, stopping the night at the little island of Omo.

At Omo island, another snug little harbour

The summer sun sets around 11pm 

Omo island lighthouse

Typical thatched houses on Omo island

We reach Svendborg, gateway to the island archipelago, and home to many traditional Danish schooners and ketches.

A haven for the grand Baltic tall ships

Antiope alongside in Svendborg 

Recycling at a whole new level, 

We learn that empty cans are valuable, this machine checks, counts, and credits each can showing the recycling logo.

Island hopping

After our brief visit to Sweden, we start our passage South,
There is no hurry so we plan to cruise slowly through the Islands.
First stop Hundige just south of Copenhagen, in calm weather, good for motor boats !
We then have to cross Koge Bught, In Easterly winds this shallow bay can create short steep waves very quickly. We were glad to get into Rodvig once the wind got up

We cruise slowly Southwards from Ven

In Rodvig, I find a Ship engine museum. 

These vintage DANISH made engines are still running!

I grew up with the 'Seagull' outboard motor

In the old fishing port of Rodvig is a museum housing hundreds of vintage boat engines, including outboard motors, It was a Seagull moter that helped us on our way to Copenhagen 50 years ago.

 Praesto, a delightful haven  

At Preasto we are centre stage on boat festival day.

A quiet evening after the visitors have gone home

We spend two extra days in Praesto.

Pirate ?

A Taste of Sweden

After the social whirl of Copenhagen we cruised North to Rungsted, and moored outside the KDY clubhouse  for a few quiet days.

Rungsted, outside the Royal Danish Yacht Club  clubhouse 

On the waterfront stands the home of Author Karen Blixen, who wrote 'Out of Africa'

Karen Blixens' house, now a museum

Clearly visible across Oresund is the coast of Sweden. Our open boat voyage many years ago took us as far as the Swedish port of Helsingborg. This time we took the ferry across the narrow strait. a 20 min voyage where for 10 mins in Danish waters you can buy duty free alcohol, then for 10 mins tobacco in Swedish waters.

A 20min ferry ride between Denmark and Sweden.

Hamlets' castle at Elsinore looks out across the narrows.

In Ven to fly the same Swedish courtesy flag from our fist voyage.

We have decided that Sweden will be the farthest East and North we will venture, and cross to the small Swedish island of Ven.

Kyrkbackens harbour on Ven Island

A delight to walk around the small island and listen to skylarks overhead

It is still early season, plenty of room forAntiope.

We moor along the harbour wall (centre left). Denmark in the distance

The late evening view from on deck.

From here our cruise will take us South through the islands.

Mermaid and the Opera

5o years on, and the focus of our voyage to Copenhagen this year.
Back in 1966 David White and I set out to sail from England to Denmark in an open boat.
The Royal Danish Yacht Club was celebrating its first 100 years, we wanted to join the party.

1966  after a voyage from England in Jacandor

We line up Antiope in the same spot 50 years on!

In 2015 we had an invitation to attend the 150th celebration, we accepted and decided to arrive in Antiope.

 Our host Flemming aboard his X yacht, he has sailed with us in New Zealand and helped pilot us across from Germany.

All dressed up for the party, we leave Antiope and walk to the Opera house.

An amazing venue, the new Opera house









                                  We dine on balcony level 4

Myself and David, The two mad dinghy sailors 

Crown prince Frederik and Mary arrive

The royal party arrive, the Aussie Princess Mary has become a favorite of the Danes.