Nichola
06/03/2010, Vejro to Femo 14Nm travelled

This is our second night at anchor off the south eastern tip of Femo in the 'Smalands Farvandet' area of Denmark. Another lovely sunny day with blue skies. We are anchored in about 3.5m of water and can easily see the bottom. Shame there are jellyfish about otherwise a chilly swim might have been had.

I spent the morning alternating between enjoying the sun and baking bread and making biscuits. This was my first attempt at biscuits and they've come out lovely and I'm dreaming up all the flavour alternatives I can create with what we have onboard. Unfortunately I can't keep up with my tradition of posting photos of my baking creations with the blog as I can't add any pics at the mo; we are still without internet and will be uploading via SSB which doesn't allow photos to be sent. (please note number one niece~skip)

Colin has been polishing again and now has 2 hatches (Russ and Robert, the boat bling is back~skip) and 1 porthole done. Only 13 more portholes to go....

This afternoon we went ashore in the dinghy and walked to the marina on the other side of the island. The island is mostly farmland with 2 villages. The tiny marina was full with Danes out enjoying the weather too. We were able to pick up some free internet there to check our emails, although we didn't have time to reply to any before the battery ran out on my ipod. Then ice-creams and a walk back. As we walked down a lane the cows in the field rushed over to the fence and then followed us all the way along the track as far as their field would allow. They seemed friendly but I was glad there was a fence between us, having being chased by friendly cows before - whether friendly or not they're still big and heavy with sharp hooves!

Another BBQ this evening whilst watching the sun go down and feeling a bit sad that we'll be leaving the islands tomorrow to keep on track for Copenhagen towards the end of the week.

Nichola

Dean, thanks for the email, I'll get the screen shots and try and work out what is happening with the position reports when we get some internet, mind you there are worse places to be than the west of Ireland. Thanks for the help. slainte skip

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Skip
06/03/2010, Island of Femo Denmark

First things first on today's blog:

Happy FIFTIETH wedding anniversary today to Uncle Dave and Auntie Frances Haggarty. Wow!!!!

Happy Birthday Number 2 Nephew Darwin Turner today!

Happy Birthday Number 3 Niece Alicia Hodgkinson today!

Looks like a celebration excuse for Emerald this evening and as we well know, Friday night is gin night! Oh yes indeedy the sacred locker shall be opened.

Next thing: Why Zanzibar you ask? Well we are anchored in the lee of Femo island which mirrors pretty close the continent of Africa in shape, and we are anchored roughly where Zanzibar would be if you get my drift!

Also today we deployed the Ace of Spades manoeuver for the first time. You may well ask what this is? Well we've had problems in the past with people having the herding instinct when it comes to anchoring.......ie see us and decide to anchor beside us rather than think for themselves about where to go. Now comes the science bit....

we deploy Motorhead's' Ace of Spades' at full volume on the cockpit speakers and watch as the closing boat changes course away from us!! Splendid ;-) Hence it is now known as the Ace of Spades Manoeuver.Try it, it works!

Nichola is off in' Pingu 1' the ships inflatable canoe, whilst I put some water into the main tanks, and filled the oil lamps, and generally got Emerald shipshape. I've also requested a weather forecast for the next four days for our area of the Baltic so that we can understand what is happening to the weather patterns as we head east towards the 'Sound' and Copenhagen.

Well I'll wrap this message up and get it posted via ssb radio, wishing all those celebrating today a great time, and speaking of time, I can hear the time lock clicking open on the gin locker!! Hoooorah!!!

Nichola has returned in Pingu 1, and is now making Ann's famous Midday Sun Popcorn...... ie spiced fresh popcorn, using paprika and piri piri spices in the oil. Perfect as nibbles with the gin.

Life is good.

Slainte skip

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Skip
06/03/2010, Island of Vjero Denmark

Well, we've had the first barbeque of the season last night. We are due today to head off to the island of Femo, but currently the wind is gusting to a force 7 in the lee of the island we are currently on. This is ok as we'll be running downwind, and will probably only use a scrap of genny to power the boat up. Once we get 'around the corner' of Femo we'll get everything squared away and motor up to the new anchorage. This is mainly to use the engine heat to generate some hot water for crew showers later. That is of course if we decide to brave the gusts! As we are in no rush we may well stay, and save ourselves the beasting! I'll try and post this now if I can get the radio to work. I'd also like to pick up some GRIB files for weather but am unsure if I can if I'm able to connect. So far this morning I've been unable to get a connection, but don't know if that is because I've made a mistake and done something wrong in my set up, or if the wl2k radio group has blocked my callsign... all very strange, or is it the atmospherics? I'll give it a go.

If you are reading this it has worked!

Slainte skip

PS the island of Femo looks like a minature african continent, so We will be 'rounding the cape of good hope' should we decide to to go today!

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