Roskilde
I’d planned to do the trip from Gilleleje to Roskilde in two stages, with a stop in either Hundested or Lynæs, both at the entrance to the long Roskilde fjord. But I woke really early to a bright sunny morning and a gentle southerly wind, promised more later. So, no excuses, and we were away at 07:15. Beautiful sailing day. Westward along the coast, consisting of low hills sloping down to endless sandy beaches, the electronic chart was the only info to know where we were, as there were no details to distinguish one stretch from the next. We were (almost) buzzed by the Danish Navy, or anyway four vessels of it, of various sizes rushed past close enough to wave to and get a response.
Before we got, remarkably early, to the turning point to enter the Roskilde fjord the wind had gradually died sufficiently to need help from the engine, and what with all the zig-zag navigation and much traffic later, it helped all the rest of the way. There seemed to be little point in stopping as planned so we just carried on, and didn’t stop until we got to Roskilde, nearly 50 nm. Found a pontoon space to tie up, with the kind help of a jovial Dane in the next boat, who then flooded me with hardly-understandable information on the charms of Roskilde. At least I caught on to a restaurant just round the corner. Went there. Had a cheeseburger and chips. retreated back to Josin and retired, weary but very content.
On the way, I had googled Roskilde, and to my surprise and foreboding, discovered that the Roskilde Festival, rather large, very loud, didn’t start on July 1st, (which I had previously noted and thought I had avoided), but had already started. Relief when I discovered that the festival site was nearly 2 km away, but the boombass is audible if the wind is in the right direction.
Today is monday and this is a suitable place to take it easy after yesterday’s hours, and wait out the weather promised for mid day. It came. Menacing long ridge of very dark clouds: (The pic on the right should be in the middle, sorry!), which marched slowly but surely and sharply across the sky, pushing the sunshine before it.
Darkness descended. Wind almost stopped and veered 90 degrees. Temperature dropped several degrees, (C), and an eerie wait ensured. No rain? Then a spatter. Then lightning and thunder. Then rain, lots. Took about an hour for the front to go through, leaving a cooler and wetter state behind. I had been glad that Josin’s mast was lower than most of the others around, but no lightning struck. Quite the best entertainment for a day of relaxing. And no, the festival loudspeakers cannot compete with real thunder.
Tomorrow to the museum of old boats. Roskilde is probably the biggest center for all things Viking Ships. Real ones, copies, and a rich milieu of expertise on how to build and use them. Probably lots of historical info too. Looking forward to a long visit.
Alls well,
RoskildeJohn.
Josin's 2025 cruise 