We can’t believe that we are on the last leg
of our ARC Baltic Rally. Looking back
over our photos we are amazed at all the places we have been to and all the
wonderful sights we have seen and visited along the way since leaving Rostock
nearly six weeks ago. The whole trip perfectly managed by Joel from World
Cruising Club ably assisted by Cecilie. Always in their yellow shirts with smiles on their faces, always with
time for everyone, always waiting on the dock to take lines whatever the
weather. From skippers’ briefings to coach trips and dock parties – they both
are a credit and super example of what we have come to know as the service of
World Cruising Club ARCs.
We had intended getting a few more miles
under our belt after leaving Saltsjabarden but after a radio call from Pene
(Northern Light) we embarked on Mike’s Magical Mystery tour through a
restricted area and into a firing practice zone! It was a little like something from Rudyard
Kipling – including the snake – and for a moment we were transported up the
Limpopo! We entered a narrow passage that got narrower and narrower and
shallower and shallower but popped out into a fabulous anchorage. Brian and the
boys dived in and swam in what can only be described as rather icy water!
Fortunately they were back on board before Mike rowed over in his dinghy and
spotted a water snake slithering across the water surface, his head golden in
the evening sunshine (the snake’s not Mike’s!). Mike was convinced it was a ‘nasty little b**ger’ and wanted to catch it
in a net. Apart from the fact we didn’t
have a net, I’m not quite sure what he would have done with it once he had
caught it. He flapped his oars in an
attempt to see if it would swim under the water or strike. The snake coiled ready to strike and Mike
suggested it was time for a drink.
We spent the evening on Northern Light; a
boat full of two unrelated Parker families.
Lots of talk about Salcombe, Mill Bay etc. Bill capped the evening by
demonstrating the echo from slamming the anchor locker lid. The echo ricocheted
around the anchorage sounding like a 12 bore shotgun, much to our amusement as
we were in a firing practice zone!
Back to Shenanigan for a late supper of filet
steak, I think it was steak but it may have been reindeer or moose judging by
the colour and texture. Whatever it was it was melt in the mouth amazingly
good.
Tuesday – an early start back through the
narrow shallows to another anchorage for another night. No snakes here but a myriad of elegant jelly
fish pulsing slowing by and another beautiful sunset. We are now devoid of
alcohol and Daim bars, apart from a few beers and one sacred Crabbies.