Thursday 24 May
Apparently ‘Mrs Michael’ had had words with the harbourmaster about our water problems, because he arrived alongside early this morning with a handful of ‘souvenirs’ and abject apologies for the lack of facilities. I have a new friend amongst my menagerie – although I’m not sure Skipper was impressed.
We set off once again, motored until the wind filled in, and then enjoyed a good sail to Kołobrzeg. Before entering the harbour, we radioed ahead for permission from the port control, but heard no response, so we followed the channel past a huge replica pirate ship carrying day passengers out into the bay, and even bringing them back.
The first part of the marina was very small, so we went through the fishing harbour to the second part, but the pontoons were still too short and the only likely space out on the end of a line of berths, on what Mate felt was a vulnerable corner, so we turned back out to tie up on the quay wall, well beyond the ‘Reserved’ sign, behind another British-flagged yacht. The crew spent the usual ‘happy hour’ tidying me up and putting me to bed, and only then did the Bosman from the marina come by to tell them we had to move into the marina as one of the pirate ships needed our berth – well, technically, theirs, for the night.
Mate was not impressed, and the Bosman assured them he’d show them which berth he felt was suitable when we got back into the marina. Unfortunately, it was the end slot she’d already dismissed. He tried hard to help us berth, but it was in a nasty crosswind, that blew my port bow hard against a concrete pile, the pontoon finger was too short, and very bouncy, so all in all it was an ignominious docking. Wisely, the Bosman soon made a discreet exit and left us to it. Hell hath no fury like a …Mate denied a rest and a cup of tea at the end of a passage.