Despite the F7 forecast, 2.5m seas, the prospect of a 25 mile tight fetch along lee shore, cancellation of the local sailing regatta and the advice of fishermen and the bunker station not to depart,…

Tied up between fat red fishing boats in the old harbour, it feels snug. NW squalls whistle overhead and the fishermen advise us to sit tight. It is finally sunny though. The towering masts of…

Surrounded by Lubeck’s great copper spires, Blue Dove lies opposite elderly ships at the maritime museum. You wouldn’t be dead for quids! In warm evening sun I sit under Marienkirche’s west front sipping wine and…

A 30 mile broad reach down to Travemunde in flat water allowed our Aries finally to do a bit of work. The great square rigger Passat marks the entrance to the River Trave. In late…

Our journey out into the Baltic to Heiligenhaven from Kiel started auspiciously with a forecast of 12-15 knot NE winds, sunny skies and smooth seas. Blue Dove slipped along graciously and we were in good…

Halfway along the canal we anchored outside Rensburg, alone in a peaceful little bay with forested shore and glassy water.  It had been a long 36 hours and we collapsed early to bed. Such a familiar feeling…