Rolling towards The Netherlands

We found what seemed like the last available berth at Norderney last night, arriving at 2000; very crowded with Germans staycationing. It's a big marina but the management is v old-fashioned; you have to see the jolly martinet of a harbourmaster to get your access card. The showers are locked btw 2100 & 0800 when he's not there - makes you wonder why. We left at 0730 to catch the tide, after a warm flannel wash on the boat.

Today was a 36 nm leg to Borkum, our last port in Germany. Tomorrow, weather willing, will be the Dutch Friesian islands instead of the German ones. Today started as forecast, not enough wind to sail particularly when it's behind us. Then it built and a nasty short steep sea developed, making for extremely rolly progress. Everything rattled but no cupboards burst. We set the genoa with one reef which was a good choice as the wind continued to build to F5 and the seas reached the 'don't look behind you' stage. Thank goodness wind and waves were behind us - beating into this seaway would have been very slow and extremely unpleasant. As it was we hung on tight and surfed along, reaching Borkum an hour earlier than expected. Again we were hugely lucky to get a comfortable pontoon berth, possibly the last one. Other boats had to raft out against a wall (pic).

So far we have been very lucky with all our berths, and with the weather. Of course we've not had the 'right' winds, but we'd far rather have the wrong winds behind us than on the nose. This may all be about to change as it looks like strong westerlies will soon replace the variable easterlies we've enjoyed so far. The air is noticeably cooler, so here's a pic of Nic relaxing in the warmer days.