An early departure from Brøndby with grey skies and winds F4-5 ensured that we had an excellent close hauled sail across the Køge Bugt to Skanör a very pretty harbour on the Swedish Peninsula of Falsterbo.
Along for the ride on Mr Blue Sky we have a new ships mascot which we have named Øyvind(after his previous owner) the lovely young couple that we met in Brøndby Havn had given us a little Viking wood chopper with a message of good luck and fair winds, I'm sure that we will meet many other lovely people but Øyvind and Maria will take some beating.
Øyvind the Viking our new mascot
Coming into Skanör harbour we had the novel experience of pulling up alongside, which was a refreshing change from stern poles. After one aborted attempt trying to get a 12 metre boat onto a 6 metre berth we were soon safely tied up and the kettle was on. The heavens promptly opened with an almost biblical downpour. Within 2 hours the sun was out and it was time to explore. A walk along the beach seemed the order of the day , pretty beach huts and not a soul in sight, blue skies and warm winds what could be better.........when out of the dunes appeared a naturist couple, I have to say I wanted to drop my shorts and carry on but I was dragged away by Mrs Wheeler.
Skanör village green
Skanör church
The village of Skanör has little bits that remind us of the East coast of England but is it easily distinguishable as Scandinavian. A trip to the chemist for antihistamine got us talking to a Swedish lady who had spent 35 years in the UK and had recently moved back home she told us that the most she missed about the UK was Sainsburys and Ant and Dec (there a few things that we will all miss but Ant and Dec won't be on my list).
Red fat bloke on the beach
Back to the marina and another swim in the refreshingly bracing Baltic and the harbour master had hoisted the the Union flag in our honour.
Skanör harbour master’s office flying the Union flag
Paradise in the Baltic
Dinner of BBQed fresh fish kebabs done!