A grey day, albeit somewhat warmer, perhaps due to the lack of wind. We had a lazy start, breakfast of bacon & eggs and two loads of laundry done. We also went to pay for the berth and were surprised to learn that the charge was 260 SEK per night including electricity and the washing machines were an additional 30 per wash. Now this made this the most expensive harbour this year and given the relative paucity of facilities, not good value. Still, we'd decided to stay another night so we bit the bullet.

They do however have a chandlery here and at last, I was able to buy the anchor that I was looking for, a 15kg Bruce . With the fittings that I’d bought previously, I was able to attach it to the pushpit rail and Celtic Warrior now looks like a 'proper’ Baltic yacht!!
The people hereabouts are extremely friendly and chatty and they love to introduce themselves and to ask about CW, and I am of course happy to oblige! One gentleman, Tom, who has spent some of his working life in the USA, advised us about the shops hereabouts – there is a very well-known bakery just up the road and a small pizza restaurant that belongs to the local garage, who also has a shop where I bought some lures for herring, I intend having a go whilst they’re still here, the season will be over in a couple of weeks.

We decided to go for a bike ride in the afternoon, to build up an appetite for the pizzas we were going to have. Such excitement, the first meal out since leaving Fehmarn! The cycle route we decided upon, basically took us out back down the channel we’d come in on by boat. Bearing in mind our philosophy of breaking ourselves in gently, we reckoned on a total ride of a couple of hours . There were no cycle paths as such but it really didn’t matter, as there were so few cars about. It was idyllic, the fields and pastures we passed were lush and green and the banks of the road had pretty flowers dotted about, all of this we could appreciate in total silence, save from the incessant bird song. We really enjoyed the time out, it gives a different perspective when you’re out on the bike.

We were back on the boat by 4 o’clock or so and we then busied ourselves with some chores –for instance I washed the decks to remove traces of mud from our anchoring a couple of days ago and Julie got busy tidying and cleaning down below.

Apparently this yard is one of the best in Sweden to leave your boat for the winter, as they have lots of skilled people hereabouts. Moreover, they have boat builders and one boat they make is a very pretty speedboat, sort of 1950’s retro look but of course, with all modern materials or at least, the wood is treated with modern chemicals for longevity. I include a photo.
We had gin with a Shweppes Lemon Fusion (– a more lemony bitter lemon and very nice) on deck for aperitifs and headed up to the pizza restaurant. There we had two rather splendid pizzas for 70SEK each (£6.50) which was really excellent value. We spoiled the value part by having a bottle of wine, 190 SEK (£17.50) but it was a nice South African red and I must say, we enjoyed the experience. Walking back to the boat in the evening sun, the sense of well-being marred only by the fact that we could do with a few more degrees, we again counted our blessings and looked forward to tomorrow’s adventures – ah the cruising life!