Yes, there is a lot to tell about our adventures in the Baltic Sea, Kattegat, Skagerrak and the
\nSound\u2026<\/p>\n
but let's start with an impression of the alternative route from Holland to Ireland, over the
\ntop of Scotland.Cargo ships have schedules, which always have two sides. Or you are lucky and sail ahead of it, then
\nyou can hang out on pretty islands or sightsee-sail around them, or you have to take the fastest route
\nto get there in time.<\/p>\n
Last weekend, during our short stop in Den Helder we had the choice: wait until
\nthe south-west storm passes and then tack for 10 days against variable winds (the shorter route) or
\ntake the chance and go around the British Isles, 500 miles more.
\nChecking the weather forecasts did not give a clear picture while the wind was picking up from the
\nsouth and above all, there was constantly a saying from our first voyages ghosting along my head: Gy
\nwill not shift a fair wind!! Now, let's go then! Dirk, Louise, Marco, and Miranda brought us out
\ninto the Schulpengat, where we started tacking just as the current turned and soon made our way
\naround the shoals and up north.<\/p>\n
At first, legislation and economy kept us in their grip, traffic scheme
\nafter oil rig after windmill park\u2026it is amazing out there! War on nature and sailing ships is going on, as
\nusual, there is absolutely no change recognizable on the North Sea. New oil and gas fields are
\nexploited, trying to keep up against Russia and the Middle East, new windmill parks drilled and
\ncemented into the seabed, trying to color our energy-wasting green, and those pretty purple stripes
\non our chart, the TSS (traffic separation scheme). 3 separate ones just off Den Helder!
\nAs a sailing ship you have to alter course and do everything possible to cross those imaginary but still ruling lines
\nat a right angle, and if you do not totally succeed in crossing at 90 degrees because of wind and
\ncurrents, they see you with their eye of justice, call you up and prosecute you, even if there is not a
\nsingle ship around you could impede of its course of justice!<\/p>\n
But finally, you get up to the Pentland Firth, where the world changes into a beautiful and exciting
\nchallenge with nature. Changing winds and strong currents with magic eddies, many new birds, white
\nstriped dolphins, seals, and even a Minky on the road. The wind was kind and kept us minimal
\nsteerage through the dangerous passage and even turned with us after passing Cape Wrath. Now
\nheading to the Hebrides, closely passing rock after rock and discovering a new seabird every hour,
\nthe crew is content that we choose this route instead of our good known old friend, the canal de la
\nHeat.<\/p>\n
So far we had a great voyage this summer with several cargoes, still, the voyage is becoming a long
\none now for some of the crew, which have been onboard since mid-December, but also coming to an
\nend, as we have to deliver a functional and ready-to-load ship back in France. The wine delivery was
\nnot the only one this summer, as the people in Copenhagen are unbelievably thirsty and only seem
\nto drink natural wine there! Our friend Sune Rosforth has introduced a whole new wine drinking
\nculture there in Denmark, with its charm, knowledge, and unstoppable perseverance. Since him,
\nCopenhagen is, next to Tokyo, the capital of natural wine worldwide. Copenhagen still has the
\nadvantage of the transport \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n
We had a wonderful time in our Danish offloading ports Copenhagen (Under the bridge at Sune's)
\nand in Gudhjem, the ancient natural port on Bornholm, where we lay in front of Provianten, the Havn
\nBar of our great friends and clients Maria and Thomas. As the winds were kind to us on the way up there,
\nwe had some time to spare and used it in all kinds of ways, painting the ship, exploring and
\nfeasting over the island, getting to know many friendly locals, and sharing a taste of rum with even
\nmore\u2026<\/p>\n
Due to the wind, we decided to pay a visit to Christianso where we anchored overnight and were
\nwoken by howling seals on the easternmost rocks of Denmark.
\nBack to Copenhagen, we discharged a load of Svaneke beer, which was accompanied by master
\nbrewer Jan Paul, who made even some beer on the voyage in our galley. Some precious boat building
\noak from Bornholms sawmill Koefoed was loaded for Den Helder, where it will be used in one of the
\nlocal sail cargo projects.<\/p>\n
We also visited the Danish sail cargo project Hawila in Holbek, where the international crew worked
\nhard to get this beautiful Baltic Trader back in sailing shape again, renewing structural parts as well as
\nconstructing a substantial hold for future cargo and art ventures! We wish them very well and hope
\nmore enthusiastic and talented craftswomen to join their team.<\/p>\n
Now all sails are set, bound for Cork in Ireland, where we receive a cargo of beer for France, we hope
\nthat corona rules will allow us a shore leave, as for many of us it would be the first pint in Ireland
\never!
\nIn respect of wind, current, and rocks,<\/p>\n
Andrew<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n