I planned the journey to take me a little longer but there weren’t so many nice places to stop on the way apart from Sophiental and then a place in Hannover.
There was a huge lock to go through where I had to work my lines down, meaning putting the lines holding the boat onto the next bollard below as we are going down. There was about ten bollards to go down and a drop of 15 meters.
After a 12km bike ride from my boat, I went to visit the VW museum in Wolfsburg.
There is a rather impressive collection of veteran cars (of many makes) . The beetle below is golden, got diamonds on it’s bumpers (I don’t think they’re real though) and beautiful cloth on the inside.
Needless to point out that this is a one off, it was the millionth beetle built.
The rest of the visit was rather disappointing, the factory visit was closed, being Sunday.
Then there was these really nice buildings presenting the different brands of the group (VW, VW commercial, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Lamborghini and Bugatti) but you’d get the same sort of experience visiting your local car dealer!
You get to sit in a car and that’s pretty much it (oh, that was not the case with Lamborghini and Bugatti). Not much technical stuff or history. I was expecting to be totally blown away by what VW could do in such a great environment.
The experience with Bugatti consist of seeing a car with a mirror paint job, surrounded by mirrors and neon lighting (ok nice pictures but that’s it!)
As for Lamborghini, there’s a car hanging on a wall, a lot of smoke(some going up, some coming down), a few light, strobing and very loud sound effects…
Basically if you are in the area of Wolfsburg, save your 15 Euros and go clubbing, you’ll get the same experience and maybe more…
Note that I’ve forgotten to put the tracker on some sections and there are a couple of impressive pictures that you will have to search for manually on the map.
Before leaving for this journey, my main concern was whether I would manage to go through the locks by myself.
I’ve seen many pretty traumatic experiences with several people onboard (including myself), so the thought of doing it alone was not putting me particularly at ease.
Well, I’m happy to say that I think I’ve cracked it ( Touch wood)!
The approach I’ve adopted was after a bit of thought and slightly perfected with the experience.
This is not rocket-science and it’s surprising not more people use such a technique.
Funnily enough I met a few days later a couple from the Netherlands who use a similar technique, the only difference being there is one person to do each task but that’s not a big issue.
So here it goes:
This should explain how this all works.
I might try and do a video of the whole operation and hopefully it won’t all go horribly wrong!
Just by chance, I called my friends Bernhard and Brigitte(who also own a Great Dane 28) to see how they were doing on their journey to Stockholm and they told me that they had delays and were still in the region of Luebeck.
So we managed to meet up and they gave me the grand tour of the town.
The central square of the city
The Devil who thought they were building a winebar when in fact it was a cathedral, was so furious when he found out that he tumbled this block over. The builders promised they would build a cellar for him if he didn’t destroy the whole cathedral and so they built a cellar, next door under the town hall.
The oldest bakery in Luebeck has just been closed thanks to European laws. Sometimes you have to wonder how we managed to survive…
Lot’s of pretty little streets and passages.
After many hours walking, we went to a local pub where they make their own beer and had a buffet, consisting mainly of roast pork and sauerkraut.
That just hit the spot!
Well, believe it or not, I had to issue a Mayday today as my engine decided to stop as I was passing a headland with a head wind and waves.
Every time I tried to start the engine, it would loose power and stop again. Eventually had to issue the Mayday and got a tow to Groemitz(No link with Wallace and his dog, as far as I know).
Having arrived in the port, a few friendly people helped my tie the boat up to the pontoon by the crane, one of them being from the sailing school. He told me that if I needed help sorting my motor out, he could help.
The harbourmaster told me that I couldn’t leave the boat in it’s current location and gave me a spot but he seemed unwilling to understand that I had no means of moving the boat without any assistance. He simply told me that I needed a little boat to tow it but failed to suggest who could do this nevermind have a boat from the harbour do the job. I think it was time for him to go home…
Anyway the guy from the sailing club came out and helped me move the boat.
After a couple of hours, speaking with the lifeboat and then sorting out my engine, I decide to go to the local pub where I meet a guy who has been many times to Tunisia as he works in the textile industry, he told me that I will most probably enjoy the place and that Monastir was a good choice.
find out if I could leave the boat at it’s present location. but he told me to move the boat
Well this is it, time to say goodbye to Denmark.
Jasrah was put in the water yesterday (3rd June 2010, as I’m not sure when this will get posted)) afternoon without any trouble. Had quick look around to check the sea was still willing to stay on the outside of the boat, so far so good.
Today was an absolutely beautiful day and very warm indeed. Did all my washing by hand as the washing machine costs an absolute fortune, got it nearly dry and then suddenly some ****loch (auf deutch, bitte) upwind decided to do a barbecue. So, if we meet and I smell of Bradwurst, don’t be too surprised. ;-)
Tomorrow morning is the great departure for me and will be in Germany in the afternoon.
After hearing a lot of squeaking, I found a clandestine passenger on board Jasrah.
After an long interrogation involving cheese and wine, I managed to find my passenger’s name and found out that he’s heading towards Africa for a life of adventure.
I’d like to present to you Oscar.
Saturday and Sunday(5,6th Jun) ended being really sunny and there were many boats under sail.
Wish I was doing the same but at least I’ve made good way under engine, anchored in a couple of nice locations and most of all, managed to pass a huge shooting range that only stops on Sunday.
A few dolphins have come to say hello. :-)
