Kieler Förde

Monday 24th to Holtenau 18.5nm

Tuesday 25th to Laboe 4nm

Once you've done ship-spotting then motoring along the Kiel Canal can be rather dull, especially in the pouring rain. It must also be frustrating to have to wait around for the lock at the far end but we got lucky in this respect. We called up as we approached and were told they would be calling the assembled crowd of leisure boats into the lock in 5 minutes - but not to worry if we missed it as we wouldn't have long to wait.

Pants on fire!! (Liar, liar). 

We did make it and motored straight in at 17.30 but once out and tied up the other side at Holtenau we kept an eye open and it was a full 2 hours before the next lock-load of leisure boats came through.

A horrid big lock with floating boards to tie up to, which the fenders ride above. We were glad when that was over. 



The staging at Holtenau is a good place to lie - the rain had cleared and there were lots of comings and goings to watch while the barbeque sizzled.

So unfair on Pete and Sarah to have terrible weather again on Tuesday. The forecast is for thunderstorms and 22kts of wind gusting 30kts.

Despite this we make a dash across a very wet and lumpy bumpy Kieler Fjord to Laboe where at least if we end up having to stay a day or two there are things to do.

We walk in pouring rain to the Naval Memorial and U-boot Museum but are put off by the prospect of queueing in the rain and return bedraggled to Bonify for hot soup. We even put the heating on to dry us out! If we're stuck here maybe we'll try again tomorrow.

Picture shows us cuddled up next to a big white German "Swan" on the quay at Laboe.


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