Our position is 53:44.145N 14:02.996E

Distance covered 31.5Nm

Because of the 2 enforced extra days in Kroslin we had to get up extremely early to catch the 7:45 bridge at Wolgast. The wind had dropped and it was a bright sunny morning, but cold, so plenty of clothes were in order. The bridge opened promptly and with the Germans and Poles as well as the rally boats there were around 30 vessels streaming through. We were under strict instructions to maintain 5kn in order to hit the 11:45 bridge at Zecherin so most people were motor sailing as the wind was now quite light – always either too much or too little!

 Leaving Kroslin

Peenemunde from the channel out of the marina – a lot closer than the taxi ride!

Hazebra Too heading for Wolgast

Wolgast bridge

Phun preferred to sail as much as possible

Early arrivals at Wolgast had posts to tie to

The bridge opened promptly

Tudora powering past us

The fleet streaming through

and we were all very well behaved

we think this is where we would have all been tied up, but for the strong winds

Ship repairs at Wolgast

The Peenestrom channel  is quite narrow so there was some alarm when a river cruise boat – Sans Souci – came the other way, but we all managed to squeeze by. After the bridge, at which some arrived  a bit early, and had to anchor as there was nowhere really to tie up, the water soon opened out into a much bigger area, offering the opportunity to choose our own route around the shallow bits and the fishing pots and nets, that provide an additional hazard in the area.

River cruise boat in a narrow channel

Rally leader Nicholas in pensive mood

Some anchored to wait for the bridge

Others just milled around

until the bridge opened

and then we all surged through

This was a railway bridge across the river but only the lifting section is left after it was bombed in 1944. I’d have thought the scrap value was worth dismantling it for.

Nifty routing meant we were among the first to arrive in Ueckermunde.  What we hadn’t realised was that there was some sort of medieval pageant in progress, which had been going on for some days. As we motored up the channel to the town quay a re-enactment was going on involving firing of cannon – well at least I don’t think they were actually firing at us, but it made a lot of smoke and was very loud!

The entrance to the canal to Ueckermunde

 and the fleet is under attack!

Tied up safely to the quay

Once we were tied up I nipped ashore to the bakery, only to get trapped inside when a group of costumed gentlemen carrying halberds (or what I have always imagined a halberd to be – a sort of spear like thing) came in and started reading a proclamation to the bemused lady behind the counter. Later there was a lot of marching up and down the road beside the quay and more gun firing – very scary for Ben, the dog on Shaka, the next boat.

Not sure about the last two’s costumes though!

We didn’t have much time before we had to be ready to head off to the yacht club, where a barbecue had been arranged for us. Unsurprisingly there was a lot of meat and not much else, but it was very tasty. It was also interesting that the temporary bar was serving beer and wine in the same sized plastic mugs and very similar measures – a good half pint I reckoned. Simon and Sue were trying to teach me Irish dancing in the empty clubhouse – they thought music should have been laid on as well – but I proved to be a most inept student. This was probably because Simon reckoned that in order to do Irish dancing you need to be able to bounce up and down on the balls of your feet for 3 hours and I could only manage about 30 seconds!

Andy & Pauline at the barbecue

On the way back to the boats music could be heard coming from the town so Simon and Sue went in search of more action. I was feeling the effects of the half pint wine glasses and opted to go back to bed, particularly after the early start, but the next day I regretted this as they had a great time and said it was a wonderful family atmosphere, with lots going on.