Solnedgang ved Henry bay

A Canadians experience of sailing in Denmark

I receved this beautiful mail from Jim Hamm who is the person we are exchanging boats with. 

Brilliant. Thanks Jim. ! 

Vang Harbour, Bornholm Island, Denamrk. An island in the Baltic, geographically more Swedish than Danish with it's high rock cliffs, forrests and rolling hills. In fact Bornholm and Christianso Island 10 nautical miles away, another absolute paradise are the only places in Denmark with rocks. The rest of Denmark is low lying sand, mud and gravel covered in cultivated crops with few trees.

I spent the day hiking the trails in the hills overlooking the Baltic Sea. The sun is shining,  a warm pleasant fall breeze washes over me as I stroll through meadows of golden waist high grass and into the forest. I am happy and content. Leaving the forest I am confronted by slopes covered in purple heather, in full bloom, reaching to the foot of very large, jagged stone outcroppings. I am in bliss, struck by the beauty, the camera is out…

got it!

As the trail passes beneath my feet, the fields of heather now at my back, I spot Hammershus, perched on a grassy knoll, high above the sea with a large ravine separating us. This is the 12^th century ruins of northern Europe's largest castle. Sounds of music from the music festival taking place nearby provide added atmosphere. Now the rapture!   Regaining some of my senses…click goes the camera. Got it! But the feeling of shear joy increases as I cross the ravine and climb the hill towards the ruins turning to see the Baltic, boats at anchor in the bay, far below. This is all just so wonderful. Beside myself with happiness!

 Rumor has it that this is the most beautiful island in the Baltic. They may be right. Bornholm is stunning. I will be back!  

After spending the day taking pictures amongst the ruins it was time to sit on the castle wall, the sea reflecting below and have one of my last high-test, low cost, great quality, Polish beers. Knowing that Sweden and Denmark found drinking a sin and the prices reflected that, I had filled my boat with beer and wine in Gdansk almost a month ago. I drank slowly and wistfully, thinking about how my Baltic journey and my Polish beer were slowly coming to an end.

The sun would soon set and it was time to hitch hike some ten kilometers to Vang and the boat. Walked the last kilometer and as I started to wined down the hill I decided to stop for dinner at a restaurant and terrace that had a great view. The sun had just set, the crescent moon rising up over the harbor below and a red horizon! More photos! Baked cod with a cream sauce, licorice flavored bread and fresh butter…mmm.

Back to the boat to write this and get to bed. Tomorrows an 8 hour sail to Sweden for two stops and then Copenhagen.