A new country – for 24 hours

Friday 8 June

The courtesy flag was changed once again, and ship’s time was advanced one hour as we entered the new time zone of Eastern European Time: GMT + 3 hours. Skipper called port control for clearance to enter the approach channel, and received instructions to slot in between a cargo vessel and a French warship. The local coastguard called to check our status and intentions – a first in this cruise. We had a look at the recommended berthing option in the former cruise liner terminal, but all spaces were filled.

After 180 miles, at 0545 local time we were tied up to the quay wall outside a pub, around the corner from Klaipeda Castle Marina which is in its moat, and looked too small for us. This is the only Baltic Sea port in Lithuania. After breakfast, a shower and a rest, we walked into town and treated ourselves to a traditional lunch of filled potato dumplings with beetroot salad and local beer – very good. In the evening we found ourselves in the heart of the local jazz festival. Apart from large numbers of people wandering along the quayside above us, it was not too noisy or late.