Friday 1 June
The crew pottered about in a leisurely way, finally deciding they were ready to slip my lines and head out into the Gulf of Gdansk. Whilst calling harbour control for permission to leave Hel behind, a large rib charged heedlessly across my bows, apparently intent on giving its passengers a last thrill before returning them to land. I bounced inelegantly across their wake, but soon settled into a more ladylike glide under genoa across to Gdynia. It was hot under the afternoon sun, and so calm Mate sat on my spacious back step to trail her feet in the cool water of my wake.
Skipper turned me neatly into the harbour mouth, but as we rounded the breakwater it was a bit of a shock to be confronted with dozens of people in the sea (in a buoyed-off area), right next to the fairway. Later we were to see a rescue rib charge out of the harbour mouth with its blue light flashing, only to come straight back in again to reprimand a group of lads who had decided it would be good sport to jump off the end of the inland breakwater, right into the path of incoming yachts.
We found ourselves in the middle of a large regatta of dinghies, with apparently simultaneous racing of Optimists, Lasers and 420s, being skirted crazily by jet skis and motorboats – peaceful it was not. We had to wait alongside a large motorboat for its guests to finish lunch drinks and say goodbye, whereupon the skipper released the lines and motored off somewhere else. Eventually we were secured to the quay wall to enjoy the entertainment.
Inside the sheltered harbour it was very hot, close and stormy, so the bimini was opened out for shade. The crew opted to wander into town where they found a lovely non-traditional supper at Pasta Miasta, with a great vibe reminiscent of Jamie’s Italian in the early days. There were a few feeble spots of rain, but the weather didn’t break, which was a shame as it may have drowned out the gig just off the harbour that continued pouring out the worst racket imaginable until 0100 Saturday morning.