Marstal, Æro island, East Jutland, Denmar k 54:51.094N 010:31.401E

Pelagia
Frans & Sarah Toonen
Sun 8 Jun 2014 16:38
Monday 8th June. Wind NE 2 to 4 Bright and sunny

Hurray a new country for us and Pelagia. After another tranquil evening at anchor in the canal sidings we exited at Holtenau and forayed ashore looking for the chandlery. The one noted in the pilot book is now a charming coffee house. The area around the canal entrance is very smart with several beaches along the North side of the Kieler Bucht. Jonny will have a good time no doubt when he goes to the British Yacht Club Kiel in August with the Army cadets. 
There were hundreds of boats out in the sunshine including huge dingy racing events off shore to get decent wind. The big ships transit up the Bucht to the canal and many leisure craft get hooted at - our favourite was 3 men fishing in a tiny open boat taking no notice of the giant container vessel approaching at 20 knots. When we got close we could see the boat was named 'Wally'.
This area of the Baltic is quite shallow and we saw nothing over 25m as we covered the 30 miles or so North to çro. The wind set up quite a chop surprisingly but it was good to be sailing again after the long canal motor and the 'survival' of the German Bight as Sarah describes it. 
There are 800 berths in Marstal marina and they were all full so we rafted on at an old quay where it looks like they closed the ship and slip yard in the 50's and walked away. Headed into town to explore the little streets of coloured cottages with a profusion of roses everywhere and hollyhocks headed for the height of the cottages. Found an Irish pub open and joined the friendly Germans from the next boat for an evening of Guiness, Kilkenny and singalong to the German soloist who much favoured Oasis and the Beatles. 
Found out on Monday that this is a long weekend (Whitsun) in Germany and Denmark hence the jam packed marina. No other Brits here and have only seen one since leaving Terschelling . We will stay a few days and explore this island which is part of the Danish riviera but nothing like Canne or St Tropez.

Leaving Kiel Canal. A couple of Dutch square riggers already here for the Kieler Woche sail event next week.

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Arrived in Denmark. 

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