Summer 2011. Sailing back home 4. Skagen and Fireworks !

Before crossing the Skagerrak, we stopped in Skagen for a night. As we arrived , there was a crowd on the pier singing to The Royal Yacht Dannebrog. Half an hour later , at 22:00 the yacht sailed and we were treated to a spectecular fireworks display across the harbour !

Skagen was almost empty compared with our previous visit. However, the northern tip of Denmark was still busy with pilgrims.

Crossing the Skagerrak from Skagen to Mandal proved a bit of a challenge, motoring in calm, then running in light winds, then running in force 6 to 7 with anything from 5.5 to 8.5 knots on the GPS and the odd 9 and 10+knots readings as waves pushed us along. Turning into the fjord for Mandal got us out of the waves but we felt the full force of the wind just forward of the beam. Fortunately, we had been there on the way south so knew the entrance which is a narrow and twisty river. It was sheltered from the wind so no problems. Although I got sea sick for a short while during this passage, I have managed to steer the boat into Mandal.

Summer 2011. Sailing back home 3. Frederikshavn, town of sculptures

We left Grenå sailing towards the north and decided to stop at Frederikshavn while waiting for fair winds to cross the Skagerrak.

Frederikshavn was a nice place with a lot of interesting sculptures in the town and a nice marina with free hot showers and internet.

Escapade moored next to another Voyager 35, in Frederikshavn Marina.

 

Moon rising over Frederikshavn Marina

 Sculptures around Frederikshavn Marina

On a sunday afternoon, Frederikshavn streets were quiet and we had a nice walk and photographed more sculptures in the town.

 

 Sculptures with running water

Summer 2011. Sailing back home 2. Middelfart - Grenå

With forecasts of southeasterly winds, we left Middelfart in late afternoon and arrived in Grenå after 77 miles of pleasent sailing.

Strib Lighthouse

Looking south to the new Lille Sund bridge past Strib Lighthouse

Grenå was very different to our last visit a month ago. Then it was full to overflowing every night. Now, in mid August there were lots of empty berths in the evening.

Back to Grenå Yacht Harbour

Our return trip to Ærø island, via Great Belt and Little Belt, forms a nice loop around Fyn.

Summer 2011. Sailing back home 1. Ærøskøbing to Middelfart

Ærøskøbing was the most southern town we visited this summer. We are now sailing towards Orkney from Ærø island. 

Leaving Ærøskøbing

After sailing for 12 miles in light SE winds, we anchored at Lyø island for the night.The bay was very shallow and we had to anchor a long way from the shore.

Next day, continued sailing for 32 miles in SW winds , sometimes up to 20-25 kns. and anchored at Mosvig bay for the night. Next morning arrived in Middelfart Yachthavn where visitors moorings are very exposed, being at the enterance.

 

Couple days later, forecast was for strong NW winds, so we decided to move. The plan was to go to Strib, but once through Fanø sund we had a 3 kn current against us which made getting under the Middelfart bridge interesting. 

 

So, we went into the Gamel Havn just after the bridge. This was a pleasent change after the yacht harbours. A real harbour with lots of old wooden boats below the old part of the town.

Hanging gardens above Middelfart Gamel Havn

Summer 2011 12. ÆRØSKØBING

 

We had a week of summer with lots of sunshine in Ærøskøbing, and the beach huts looked lovely.

Old houses with decoration like icing sugar on cakes in Ærøskøbing.

A nice wooden boat sailing out of  Ærøskøbing harbour