The harbour entrance, or more accurately exit, in Ærokøbing is sufficiently wide to enter and leave, under normal circumstances.
As we set off back to our home harbour to lay up Melodrama for the winter, there was no reason for our trusty navigator and blogger, Me, not to take the helm.
We were tucked nicely alongside between two boats, and the wind was blowing us off, so once the mooring lines were set up for departure and we’d discussed what we were going to do, I started the engine. Now quite why the two neighbouring skippers fore and aft made sure they were on deck and ready to fend off, I do not know, as I managed the manœuvre like a pro.
Smug, and delighted by my success, we drove off towards the harbour exit. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that a large traditional wooden ship was working its mooring lines in preparation to leave behind us.
Suddenly, across the mouth of the harbour the Æro ferry blocked the exit! And as I moved into reverse and looked behind, the big wooden boat had cast off and was ploughing towards our stern, yelling that they had no ability to change course!
Aaaagh! I did not know what to do, and said so in loud and urgent tone. At which point, William grabbed the helm, put the boat back into forward gear, and moved as slowly as he dared towards the passing ferry hoping that our boat would not be blown off course, and the exit would clear before either we hit the ferry, or the boat behind hit us. Either would have caused much more damage to us than to them.
Melodrama over, the rest of the trip back to base was uneventful. High winds and rain were forecast, but we were well tucked up and ready for several days of clearing out, cleaning and preparing for the winter.
And that’s it. The season is over, the boat is in its winter shed, and we are back in Ireland. It’s been a fantastic summer and it’s good to be home.
Thanks to all of you, our loyal readers. We’ve enjoyed sharing our journey, and your comments and contributions. Hope to have you with us again next year, on our journey back to Ireland. Have a good winter!
Whew! Loved all the blogs. And do keep praying that all my family will reach their destinations safely without unfortunate incidents. Seems the skipper was well guided. Long may that continue.
Talk soon. Rx
Well done, both of you! So glad you made it back to your winter base (and beloved Fahan) safely. We just loved our time with you onboard Melodrama in July and are continuing to extol the virtues of cruising The Baltic with fellow sailors here in the Med.
What a fabulous year, great sharing with all your most entertaining communications, must get together ere long around a trayful of G&T’s!
It’s been great keeping up with your Scandi adventures through the blog. You’ve obviously had a wonderful – if at times eventful! – summer. Time now for a little r&r before the ski season gets underway!
Good to see you are home again. So are we. Back in Cherasco. Lovely to follow your trip, sometimes very exaiting. Love from us