Parade of Sails

2009 07 05 - Day 9 – Gdynia

Before heading out for the race proper, we gave the locals a bit of a show of all the ships at sea.
It was cool to be amongst such a flottilla.
Apparently this ship was used in Pirates of the Caribbean, but I don't know which one and in what capacity... But it's hull used to be white and they painted it black for the film.

The captain clearly enjoying the sun, the sea, the scent of the test to come.

Leaving Harbour

2009 07 05 - Day 9 – Gdynia



Raising high Norwegian flag, now gliding out to sea,
cheering from the highest mast, no prouder crew than we.

Back in reality, we hung around on deck waiting our turn for the tug to pull us out of harbour. Modern harbour requirements and the Tall Ships Races schedule means all the ships leave under engine power and the big ships use a tug to manage the delicate maneuvering.
What!?
The tall ships have engines!?!?
I know, I know. I was equally surprised... but only out of ignorance. We're not allowed to use the engines in the races though so it's all ok. It was exciting to be heading out to sea (even if we were using the engine) and the good folk of Gdynia & Gdansk gave us a good send off.

Knowing me knowing you: Sørlandet

2009 07 04 - Day 8 – Gdynia

(yes I know ABBA were Swedish but thinking about 'knowing' my brain sings lyric lines and the alternative was 'Like to get to know you well' by Howard Jones).
from the website
"The SØRLANDET represents a unique heritage from days of the tall ships and fast clippers. Welcome aboard!
"Formerly a schoolship for training of young cadets, she is now owned and operated by a non profit foundation offering adventure sailings for young people of all ages.
"The SØRLANDET is the oldest operative full-rigged ship in the world. She was built in 1927 at the Høivolds Mek. Verksted, a local shipyard in Kristiansand."
For those who know about those sort of things:
"The SØRLANDET's particulars:
Displacement: 891 tons
Gross tons: 499
Length: 57 m
Length inclusove bowsprit : 65 m
Mast height :35 m
Draft: 4,5 m
Trainee capacity: 70/sailing or 150 passenger in closed waters.
Fixed crew: 15"

After dropping my bags, I had time to get to know the ship and my new shipmates.

This is the banjer which is the common room/dining room/bedroom (seat backs get held up by chains to form a top bunk).

Together only a few hours (and a few beers) and already we were a hearty crew!

Our ship even looks great at night!

Has anyone seen my ship?

2009 07 04 - Day 8 – Gdynia

Finding a tall ship would normally not be so hard, but in the sea of masts and peole at the quayside it was not so straightforward.

Fortunately for me, my couch surfing hosts, Michał and Katarzyna, had come along for a look and with their excellent grasp of the Polish language they quickly located my ship using the ancient art of 'asking people'.

Gdynia & Tall Ships Races Festival

2009 07 04 - Day 8 – Gdynia

Just down the road from Gdansk is the port city of Gdynia. Unlike Gdansk, Gdynia is not an old city and was a village until the 1920s when the Polish government built the port. The city came later, mainly during the 1930s and when I visited it seems to be largely made up of identikit concrete apartment blocks.... except this new signature piece down by the quayside.

The town was heaving, with thousands of people milling around drinking, eating and generally festivalling. In addition to the Tall Ships Races Festival, there was also the Heineken Open'er Music Festival, and the quayside and beach were mobbed.

First Couch Surfed

2009 07 04 - Day 8 – Gdansk

Thanks to Michał, his parents and his girlfriend Katarzyna for being such welcoming and friendly couch surfing hosts.

My couch surfing profile

Gdańsk

2009 07 03 - Day 7 – Gdańsk

Gdańsk has a lovely old town and clearly a long history of which I knew nothing...
Wikipedia tells me it's Poland's principle seaport, has at times been in German control or a free city and was the birth place of the solidarity movement which “played a major role in bringing an end to communist rule across central Europe.”

Northern Poland

2009 07 03 - Day 7 – Poland

Northern Poland looks like this from the train.

Poznan

2009 07 03 - Day 7 - Poznan

A delay is an opportunity: time created to do something you didn't plan for.
My delay was an opportunity to look around Poznan a little. So I did.

Polish pedestrian crossings have some kind of melodic thing going on... not sure if it has any downsides, but it's certainly more pleasing to the ears than standard crossing beeps.

Thank my Polish stars

2009 07 03 - Day 7 – Poznan

The free local rag calmed me down with promises of sniper school...
sadly my delay wasn't enough to check it out, so I sought consolation from the heavens:
“Wodnik
20.01 -18.02
Przed Tobą miły i pomyślny tydzień. Starajsię tylko, by tego radosnego nastroju nie zakłóciła żadna sprezeczka. W pracy Twoje notowania wyraźnie wzrosną.
Precisely the reassurance I needed.

German train late!?

2009 07 03 - Day 7 – Poznan

I didn't even think that was possible!
:P
Maybe those organised Germans, who organised me in the right direction in the middle of the night, organised my train to be late... over an hour late! As a result, I missed my connection to Gdansk and I had to wait 5 hours for the next one! (Disclaimer – I don't actually know that it was a German train, just that I got on it in Germany, so nothing against the Germans... they'll probably blame Polish rail anyway).
Cool industrial train parked in Poznan.