Our first stop was a totally charming little wharf at Seedorf in among the reeds, and our first experience of the dreaded box berth. This consists only of thick wooden, metal or plastic posts stuck into the water, a few metres away from the shore. First we have to pick two posts which are wide enough apart to squeeze through, line the boat up, and have two lassos ready to loop over the posts. That done, someone runs to the bow and jumps ashore with two lines to secure the boat, while the rest of the crew tighten up the lassos. It all sounds simple, but we had 16 Germans enjoying the spectacle. “New boat from the factory? First time?” asked one, after helping us ashore, traumatised.
Steffan proved to be a great friend, advising us on better places to visit than the obvious harbours we had planned.
He runs his own charter boat, and has sailed everywhere in the world, it seems. He came on board and we looked through our charts and he pointed out his favourite places. “A lifetime is not long enough to visit the Baltic”, he told us.
He may be right.
The harbour master’s office had the atmosphere of an allotment hut, with various people milling about chatting, and drinking coffee from their flasks, while they waited for a shower. If you look in the corner by the fire extinguisher, you will see the shower system.
Take a numbered bath toy with a key along to the numbered shower hut, and return the boat when finished.
We spent a pleasant evening watching the sun set, the fish splashing, and the swans swimming between the boats.