Day 16 September 23rd The Kiel Canal






road bridge 

various boats we passed

Today we had the interesting journey of taking most of the day to traverse the Kiel Canal in

wind farm

northern Germany.  It saves quite a long journey of going around Jutland and was built so that German shipping and navy had access from the Baltic Sea to the north Atlantic. It was early morning (before we were up) that we entered the lock at the eastern end.  We didn't see too much of what 

 a village

went on but it was obviously not too drastic a change in water level.  After breakfast we

cross canal ferry

went to our balcony and watched the goings on from there.  It was like a day on a river cruise as we could see both banks but in a much larger boat.  It was wide enough for two boats and we passed ships of all sizes going in the opposite direction.  We could also see the vessels ahead and behind us.  The canal is busier shipping wise than either the Panama or Suez canals.  We passed villages, industrial plants,

rail bridge

small car ferries crossing the canal, went under bridges carrying both road and rail traffic and generally were kept well occupied with the changing sights.  

western lock

We went to the restaurant for lunch at one stage and eventually arrived at the western end lock at about 1530.  Again there was not much of a change in water levels at this lock.  We were soon on the open sea and having picked up several pilots, they were transferred to a large pilot boat
 which then took them to 

container ship in lock

boats waiting to enter the canal.  

the Astor

the pilot boat

We could see the Frisian Islands and some windfarms with the Astor cruise boat following us out of the canal.  The end of the day was much better with clear, warm weather.  Eventually we went inside and prepared for dinner after another relaxing but absorbing day.