Rosklde til Ebeltoft.
A motoring wake, away from Roskilde at 7 am thursday, heading north, calm, but better weather promised. The cathedral to the west, a power station to the east. Even a power station can be improved in appearance.
The long term weather forecast had changed. Indications were that at the weekend and for several days, it was going to rain and blow, so now the plan was to find an entertaining place to be while it happened. The choice fell on Ebeltoft, visited some 25 years ago and remembered fondly. Winds on the way there predicted favourable.
So, from Roskilde to Hundested, (55 57.9 / 011 50.7) at the entrance to Roskilde fjord, with an overnight at Odden Havn, (55 58.4 / 011 22.2), to Ebeltoft, (56 11.7 / 010 40.2).
Motored all the way to Hundested, with the sails hopefully up most of the way. There is a lifting bridge about half way, which opens on every half hour if needed. We got there just a few minutes too late, having been unexpectedly delayed by a remarkably strong contrary current, which at the bridge flowed 2 knots. Made the half hour wait easier by just motoring slowly against.
Reached Hundested, (nudged the sandbank at the harbour entrance, which had grown since the navigating instructions were written!), at mid day, so a stop for lunch and a zizz. Then onward westover, sailing slowly in the sunshine, to Odden Havn, there to tie up behind a Norwegian boat, whose crew surrounded me with tie-up help and a chat.
Early awake next morning to the sound of halyards flapping masts. A sailing wind! Yes, but it didn’t obey the forecast. Wind from NW instead of SW. Later veering SW instead of NW. Ah well, sail anyway. I was determined to follow the mantra for the cruise, “sail, not motor”, so we did. Wind 15 knots, gusting 20, creating uncomfortable choppy seas on the nose, which repeatedly killed the speed and spoiled the track made good.
This was our track. Wind direction slowly becoming favourable, You can see where I turned the engine on, when the shore got close and I was weary from all the bouncing and leaning, but having turned the corner, we sailed full speed in calm water the rest of the way.
Took an age to find a spot to tie up, Ebeltoft has a large marina, and it was full.
Going below I was met with partial chaos. Boat movement and gravity had deposited cushions onto a swimmingly wet deck, and underneath it all, the logg book. How to dry wet paper and hope that the ink has not dissolved? Did this:
12 hours later and it looks promising.
But the real worry is how did all that water get in? Not happened before, but maybe all that long day bouncing and crashing yesterday was reason enough. But the source? Prime suspect is the ventilator over the toilet which has lost its spray-shield of gaffatape. New tape and a more thorough investigation required.
But now. The forecast rain has stopped, for a while at least, so I must go ashore and check in by feeding the machine. Denmark has a remarkably strong currency, at least relative to the Norwegian Krone, so marinas are grumpily expensive.
Ebeltoft, here we come! And maybe a coffee and a sticky bun? They’ll be expensive too!
Alls, (nearly-dry), well.
SAILORJohn.
Josin's 2025 cruise 