Nord-Ostee-Kanal - 54° 22' 09" N 10° 08' 40"E

Dragging ourselves away from the gannets on Helgoland, we headed back to the mainland and the Kiel Canal.   On our arrival in Brunsbüttle, the lock lights flashed white (the signal for us to enter) so through the lock we went and tied up in the Liegestelle für Sportboote (moorings for sports boats)  just on the other side of the lock.

The Nord-Ostee-Kanal or the Kiel Canal cutting through Germany and saving us about 250nm
 travelling from The North to The Baltic Seas

It an exciting place to tie up, just next to the largest lock where the biggest ship transit.  Hopefully this is the only time we ever get THIS CLOSE to one of these beasts!

The size of the ships passing is quite impressive

As we have been through before, we were not as reliant on the advice from cruising guides and forums but on our experience. And so we decided to make the transit in one day rather than with the 'recommended' stop.  So under grey and chilly skies, we set off towards The Baltic Sea.

Gliding past the canola fields

'Rugged up' against the chill, even breaking out the Greenlandic mitts!

This sight would be terrifying on the open sea!

Again, we timed the lock to perfection and just glided in and, when the far lock gate opened, just like that we were in The Baltic!  We pulled onto the dock in the old, disused lock.  It was calm, quiet and just glorious.  We listened to the rain patter down and watched the swans and Canada geese paddle around the boat.

Just idyllic

And finally, after our detour back to Cherbourg of over 700nm, we are back in The Baltic.  And here we will stay for the summer.