A day of sunshine and very sharp showers as we donked the final 36 miles to Brunsbuttel, at the western end of the Kiel Canal.  We have now become blase about very big ships passing very close to us!

We've secured for the night in Brunsbuttel's small marina, right next to the big ships lock. They pass so close we could practically touch them with the boat hook. Tomorrow we will lock out, and catch the ebb - yes, a tide! - to help us the 20 miles down the Elbe to Cuxhaven.  Aquila is getting excited: she can sense her proximity to her natural environment, salt water...