Anyway, after the 'epic voyage' described in the last post, we first had two easy days along the Geeste, a river connecting the Weser and the Elbe. Actually it is called the 'Elbe - Weser Schiffarhtsweg' in German and consists of the Geeste and two canals, but that's semantics: everyone calls this 'the Geeste'. The total distance is about 60KM, but its a very narrow waterway and there is a 8KM/h speed limit. You can't go much faster anyway as it is relatively shallow. Having said that, they have done a lot of maintenance since last year and it is definitely a bit deeper (1.5m instead of 1.1 m in places...). So it takes two (easy) days to cover the distance, one could go on to Brunsbüttel if the tide on the Elbe is right, but it was not this time. The first night we spent at the quiet lock at Lintig, about halfway and the second night in the Otterndorf tidal harbour where you get stuck in the mud a bit at low tide.
This morning, we took the incoming tide to Brunsbüttel. The weather continues to be incredibly unstable, lots of rain showers most days and also today. In the showers it was quite windy, but nothing drastic. After about an hor and a half we got to the lock in the Kiel canal. The issue here is that there is no place to tie up when you have to wait for the lock, you just float around in a 'waiting area' on the river, which is in the tidal current and in the wind. After about half an hour we got the sign to go into the lock (an interrupted white light on the lock island) and we locked without any problems (together with a coaster and a few yachts). Then it was 60 KM canal motoring to Rendsburg, which is about 2/3 along the way to Kiel where the canal ends in the Baltic. We take 10 KM shifts steering Onbekommerd, which makes it easier. On the way there is lots to see, mainly big ships coming your way or passing you.
Here are some pictures of the last few days:
Lock in the Ems - Jade canal
Ems - Jade canal: quite scenic!
The Wilhelmshaven lock: Just us and that even smaller boat in the corner!
'Prikken' route over the shallows
The Container pier in Bremerhaven is claimed to be the longest in Europe.
Not quite sunset, but a pretty picture just before reaching Bremerhaven
In the lock at Brunsbüttel
Always something interesting to see in the canal!
The AIS not only shows you the positions of other ships, it also gives their speed and course so you can calculate when they will catch up with you. And if they are predicted to come close, there is a red indication. The AIS is one of our most useful navigational investments!
Tomorrow, we will continue to Laboe, which is on the Kieler Förde. We are then on the Baltic! The wether currently looks good for a continuation to Bagenkop in Denmark on Monday. By the time we'll have a bit of a rest!
No comments:
Post a Comment