It took me a while until I accepted to give up some valuable storage space for a questionable washing machine. It will, no doubt, add important autonomy, which was first ranking on Susan‘s wish list.
The job has been completed today by passing the system integration test run without surprises. The only surprise is the noise level, extremely low.
The sun has broken through while the first morning tea keeps steaming out of the mug. Outside ambient temperature is around 7°C, the heating system came on with the sunrise and starts to embrace us in our tiny floating home. No reason not to be here!
We have now finally left Sønderborg to get a bit closer to our place for winter storage in Kappeln. I am tempted to drop the anchor for a final night at sea, at the same place where our Atlantic adventure started on 14th June 2021. Almost two and a half years ago. Let‘s see when we get into the Schlei Fjord.
The time in Sønderborg was governed by boat work and dolce vita. Muck out was high on the list and a lot of stuff went into the bin or got sold so that I ended up to pack 8 parcels for dispatch upon arrival in Kappeln.
I will keep enjoying this low pace arrival and transition.
I woke up in the very early morning hours at around 4am driven by some unususal jolting in the mooring lines. My first glance out of the window showed the top of the bollard missing, which I normaly see on our pontoon. My first thought was, wow, high water!
I went outside to check the fenders‘ position and discovered, that they are all hanging to high, well above the fl0or level of the pontoon not providing any damping between the boat and the pier anymore. The hull was cosy lying directly in contact with the the pier. The water level was only 30-40cm below the surface of the pontoon. Not much. No damage.
I took it as a reminder and pre-warning, at the right time. Although there is not much of tide here, the changes in water level driven by wind forces cannot be ignored.
As per the chart above, the next high water level is predicted for Sunday midnight, even higher than last night. The additional 30-40cm might flood the pontoon slighly but will definetly make the use of fenders impossible to protect the booat towards the pier.
Conclusio: I will have to leave this place before Sunday midnight not to get into trouble.
The late summer days are definitely over and autumn has taken its place instead. Temperatures are still pleasant but the sunny spots have become more rare and mixed with stronger winds and occasional rain.
After only 4nm motoring along the Alssund we have reached our next destination. It‘s a while, almost three years ago, when we visited Sønderborg, last time mid October 2020. I prefer the Nordhavnen, which has seen a nice development over the years and is more quite compared to the Sydhavnen on the other side of the bridge.