Of Wings and Whispers

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The channel was quite busy mainly with ferries-

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Wow.That last photo gives you 3 major attractions-the teapot,the old lighthouse and the free train around the town!
The exclusive area of beach wasn't popular,but then the downmarket area wasn't jumping either-

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Now our walk around town.Most houses had pretty little gardens but there was one plant that wouldn't make it in Australia.

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Lantana in a pot would be a no no.

 

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There was an interesting piece of art in town-

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The last of our wander around town-

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It was then back to the ship for a light lunch.Around 3pm I decided to go for a stroll and try a fish bun.I noticed we had a stowaway-

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I pointed it out to security who had a great laugh.
I had not walked far when a German couple was walking towards me both eating a fish bun.A seagull swooped taking the whole bun out of his hands.Before any of us realised what had happened the gull had swallowed both halves of the bun.When the couple left he came back for the fish-

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When I got to the fish stalls a woman had just bought a roll mop.She had it on a plate....for a few seconds until a gull swooped.I noted they were waiting-

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So when I bought my fish I made sure it was covered-a gull still tried to dispossess me.At least the fish was freshly smoked-

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Behind us was the Costa Favolosi-

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The kayaker had to take quick evasive action as when he came around the bow the cross channel ferry started out-

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An interesting statistic.Although the Regal Princess looked larger than the Costa ship it's maximum capacity is 240 fewer.
Now time for dinner,a late sail away due to Berlin day trippers and anticipating our transit of the Kiel Canal in the morning.

 

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When we awoke the next morning we were already in the first lock of the Kiel Canal-

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Ships were waiting for us whilst the adjoining lock was filling with small craft.

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The other lock starts to close-

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And we have started to move.

 

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The waiting ship heads for the now empty lot and we go under the first of the bridges.Fishing seems very popular here-

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Lots of traffic on the canal-

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As well as bridges there are several ferry crossings-

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The only passenger vessel we passed.The Deutschland.Must have done most of the canal in the dark.An interesting ship because for 6 months of the year she becomes the World Odyssey and a floating University.The largest ship to transit the Kiel was Norwegian Dream carrying~2150 passengers as she had a movable funnel and radar mast.However she is now Superstar Gemini and based in Asia.

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And a shipyard which at this site specialises in luxury yachts-

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People came out to watch us pass-thenumbers were greater after the fog lifted.

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Coming up is the Rendsburg bridge constructed between 1911-13.Overall length 7.5km but the span across the canal is only 317 metres.

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Now you may wonder what the road to nowhere is doing under the bridge.It is because this bridge is of a rare kind being a "transporter'bridge.A gondola is suspended from the bridge and takes 4 cars and pedestrians across the canal.Unfortunately for us the gondola struck a cargo vessel in January 2016 and was removed for repairs so is not working at the moment.

 

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We passed a few places involved in manufacturing wind turbines.

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The level of the swimming pool is below the level of the canal.

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It is a beautiful part of the world.Some impressive housing,nice villages and farmlands.A driving trip in the area with a possible crossing of the canal by gondola has been added to the bucket list.

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We had to change pilots here.

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Every ship transitting the canal is given a rating.On this occasion we had to give way to the coming ship as did the ship in front of us.The Captain and pilot are bringing the Whisper to a stop.The ducks don't have to worry.

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The smallest vessel we passed.

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Poor little swan paddling madly to stay still-

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As we got closer to the end of the canal near Hamburg there was a lot more industry-

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But usually a lot of surrounding green areas-

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Approaching the last lock-

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Someone lent hotel director,Norman,a hand-

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He put it to good use-

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While our lock closed the neighbouring one opened-

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Like the Panama age was showing in places.

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A fair bit of work going on to widen the locks.

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Fairly quick turn around of ships.

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Time to go-

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And so endeth our transit of the Kiel canal.I really enjoyed the day.So different to the Panama canal.Although not as difficult terrain this was done in a developed country so even 100 years ago they had to deal with the problems of disrupted roads and railways.A recommended transit.

 

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We were now in the Elbe river which starts off in the Czech republic.

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We now head out into the North Sea.

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Our injured friend returned tonight for trivia and the putting contest-She won at putting getting 2 holes in one.
The next morning we awoke in the North sea canal heading to Amsterdam.I really find wind turbines visual pollution.

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A lot of flowers grown in the surrounding areas.And more ferries.

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