Kuressaare on the Island of Saaremaa

Suzie Too - Western Caribbean
David & Suzanne Chappell
Sat 2 Aug 2008 19:12

Set off from Parnu at 6am towards Kuressaare on the Island of Saaremaa 74 miles, we washed and scrubbed the boat down on route as she was filthy full of sand and grit.  We were proud of how clean she looked then just before we arrived we were surrounded by sea flies which stuck to our lovely clean decks and made us feel itchy, yuck!!  The entrance to Kuressaare was very rocky and the dredged fairway was full of seagrass so it was showing 1.7 and 1.5 meters on the depth gauge which was rather unnerving as we are 2metres depth.  But the harbour master assured us that it was dredged to 2.5 so we kept going, on entering the harbour the Harbour Master was waving to us and showing us our berth, he also caught our lines.  He gave us information about the town, marina and the timetable of the events he was very proud of his marina.  We had timed this visit just right as it was the start of their Sea festival which lasted all weekend with live bands, music, stalls and fireworks.  It is a beautiful town the capital of Saaremma,  the whole Island has a population of 35,000 people.  People were arriving all day to visit and take part in the activities, archery, sea trials, helicopter rescue, beach, sailing and fishing events.  We dressed our boat with Flags to help celebrate.

 

On day two we cycled around and had a lunch of local Sausage, pickled cabbage and boiled potatoes at one of the stalls then cycled into town and had coffee and cakes while people watching for a few hours. 

 

Our total mileage so far is 2,146.00 miles since we set off in April.

 

We are now on our way back to England and have a month to get to the Kiel canal the weather forecast is showing signs of lots of wind and low coming into the area so I think our warm weather is coming to an end.  We have been very lucky as so far we have not been weathered in and have wonderful tans to prove the weather we have had.

 

Doesn’t she look pretty

Local beach, volley ball match

 

Castle Moat and David in new yellow Helly Hanson top dressed up as it was Sunday

 

Proud of his sausage and pickled cabbage

 

Game of Archery anyone?

 

Marquee and one of the brass bands

 

Put our minds at rest they do have a rescue service

Sitting in the main square idling the time away - wonderful

Saddle sore too many cobbled streets.

 

We like Estonia, the place is lovely the people are very friendly and have time to talk it has a lovely feel to it, we feel very safe.

 

Off to Latvia in the morning our 8th country so far.

 

Love to all Suzanne & David xxxx