Well, it was an even earlier start than usual as I was awake from 4 o'clock and by 5 I was itching to go so we started the engine at 05:30 and set off, in time to watch the sun creep over the horizon. It was tranquil and the only sound, apart from our engine, was the aggrieved squawks from geese and cormorants as they had to get out of our way. Our route took us back the way we came last night to the island and then we turned westwards and headed towards Darsser Ort and then down the last leg to Warnemünde. On the way out to sea, we kept an eye out for Odile, as Andy & Pauline had sailed down from Bornholm yesterday and had elected to anchor rather than make the tortuous route into Vitte just for a night’s stopover. Now the Smiths are not early risers but we did see a ketch in the distance behind us and Odile is one. However, she wasn’t flying the large ensign that Andy favours, or at least we couldn’t see it, so we weren’t sure if it was them and I didn’t want to call on the VHF just in case they were asleep and hadn’t turned their radio off. Consequently, we decided to wait until we had a better idea and round about 09:30, I was pretty sure it was Odile and when we called,it was them. As they travel a bit faster under engine, they slowly overtook us and afforded another photo opportunity. Their plan was to turn into the river where Warnemünde is situated but to travel inland to Rostock so we wouldn’t see them until later in the week.

It was about 4 hours or so until we rounded Darsser Ort and the wind was still non-existent . It was beautifully warm and the sea was flat and in these situations, I have no issue at all with using the engine. Two hours later and about 10 miles short of our destination, the wind started to pick up but it wasn’t until the last few miles that sailing would have been fun and frankly, by then we were fixated upon our arrival so we motored on.

This week in Warnemünde it was Hanse Woche or Hanse Week, which I think involved lots of sailing and regattas but also attracted all the venerable old ladies from miles around and the sea around the harbour entrance was full of square riggers and sundry old boats. It was a lovely sight and I’m sure the locals had had a good week.

Upon entering the harbour of Hohe Düne we decided to get some fuel. Now the fuel berth was right at the far end, down to windward and at a dead end with a stone wall and a narrowing channel. I was just organising the boat to turn round into the wind, which by now was blowing quite strongly, when a speedboat overtook us and nipped in front to grab the fuel berth . I was less than pleased and given the wind, was not able to safely hang around waiting for the rude lout to fuel up, so we left to find a berth. This was another problem, the pontoons here are low so reversing in is the best solution. As I’ve said before, reversing is not easy with this boat and when you have a strong cross-wind, it is well nigh impossible to do so neatly and so we proved. We did eventually get into the box ie past the hard wooden poles but we now have an added blemish or two to add to our collection.

Later on that evening, we were joined by Gerald & Lynda Freshwater for aperitifs and enjoyed their company for an hour or so. Then I did some blogging and before we knew it, another day was behind us.