Bokelrehm

Kiel Canal Transit.

Did not even wake as we left Port this morning ,that shows quiet we are.. Some distance down the Elbe River to the entrance to the Kiel Canal, on a calm and clearing morning. The Kiel Canal was made long ago ,it is a short cut to the Baltic Sea, so saves a lengthy journey around Jutland ,by the open and sometimes rough sea. 460 ks less to travel is a saving. We entered the Locks at Brunsbuttel , earlier than planned ,and beside us two more ships, the system is the Worlds busiest artificial waterway, and is 98 ks in length .The transit to take us all day, and what a day it was, simply amazing to sail right though the centre of Germany, in brilliant sunshine, so quiet we could hear the birds in the trees, all along the way even a Cuckoo calling clearly, at one stage. Pretty light forest for a long way, rugosa roses ,and a cycle trail at the edge .Farmland for most of the journey, so that was lovely. The province of Holstein ,so cows, but not mostly the Black and White ones, beautiful Farms, so green and lush ,no fences ,as that is how Farming is here ,and in Holland, the cows simply do not stray ,there are small ditches ,and some small waterways, but its all so clever, on the cows part…some sheep to begin with, but further in, crops of all kinds, very flat in the main. Storks with huge nests of sticks. Spectacular bridges ,of many kinds some viaduct types for the trains, they have to be high of course, but we have parts that are lowered as well, some looked to be a tight fit… Not many passenger ships transit this canal.
Some yachts alongside us, one with an elderly dog with its lifejacket on…
Only one sizable town all day, very nice homes almost every one had 2 levels ,even smaller ones, and many large gardens, my delight was seeing a “Roving Lawnmower” saw several ,they just roam alone like the Vacuum cleaners we know of, so clever , what a time saver for a large lawn…! Much in the way of reusable energy ,Solar panels on many homes, and the Wind Turbines . The farms have very large Farmhouses, and Barns as well, as the cows will be inside in winter I think .Some thatched houses, and then some very modern, like from Grand Designs… A lot of Glass in the river front ones.
A few Country Inns along the canal, and very basic Campervan Parks, just a mowed strip and one facility, and many modern vans, lots of cyclists ,for the most part, just the cycle trail adjacent to the canal , and a road further back ,just for a short distance ,it was hot…[had to buy a sunhat] and our Balcony was perfect viewing ,I didn’t want to miss a thing ,and we didn’t.. Only 300mtrs wide, and 9mtrs deep so not a huge construction ,but some feat for sure, lots of ships coming from the other direction as well ,places to pass. We came to the locks at Kiel/ Holtenau earlier than planned, so at dinner we watched that process. A simple operation in the going up, both large locks full ,with the ships that began the journey with us… Into the harbour with many yachts enjoying the still ,calm and sunny evening .A beautiful day in the countryside.. Its costs in excess of $25000.00 for a ship to transit this Kiel Canal
Tonight we saw the first Show from our singers and dancers and that was well done. We are now in the Baltic ,on mirror calm seas, sailing towards Tallin, Estonia.
An at Sea Day ,offers much, walked the deck early on, on a sunny morning, then I attended a class on the Photo App in Windows 10, and learnt lots I can do there, in a very short time. Later a Meet The Captain gathering, with the Hotel Director Renee ,whom we have met, so interesting. Our Captain is a down to earth man, grew up in a Fishing Village in Norway , started as a deck hand on ships, and has worked his way to his senior years on Prinsendam ,which he sees as the best of ships, a fine vessel, with a select itinerary ,of highlights, in special places…and it is all of that. Lunch then an Americas Test Kitchen class on Lunch For A Rainy Day ,very nice.. A Windows 10 Class on One Note, later then Dinner and a show, what more could one ask..
Hope all is well at home, and the snow isn’t a problem, Vegas wasn’t impressed, brought to the Antarctic… Poor kitty.!
If you want to see ahead ,before you get your notification, you can click the link Liz mentions, Show Entire Trip,and view it all, I think the notification is the only drawback of a very easy system.Read more