August the 4th

We start from Kielheim up DMK (Donau-Main-Kanal). The canal is good. No stream, our speed increases significantly, we can easily make 7knots if we want. The canal is also relatively straight as the land is fairly flat, it looks very man-made with stoned banks and flowers all along the banks. The limiting factor is all the locks. In the morning it is no problem, we hang on to a barge that we keep the same speed as and just go straight into the locks. We can follow it until the sea water filter gets a bit clogged up from the river and canal debris, and we have to make a short stop to clean it.

the highest point of the voyage

We travel through the landscape and the farmland and it feels like we pass straight through the farms. We wave at the farmers in their tractors while they are harvesting. We are up high and we have a good view over the land. We are over 400m above sea level. Higher than the highest mountain (or hill?) in Estonia. We pass the highest point and then the canal starts going downhill. It starts with 3 locks of each 24,67m. All together we went 156,8m up and down today. Late in the evening we reach Nürnberg.

July the 31st

The first thing planned this day is the motor repair. Magnus goes round the area in a taxi trying to find a diesel repair. In the end he finds a Massey Fergusson’s dealer who has some pipes in the used parts, but none is exactly the same. He takes a couple that seem to be the same length and bend them in place. This seems to work out, so we shop some food and leave for Linz in the afternoon.

In Linz Olga suggests to moor not in a yacht marina, but in the commercial harbour, she thinks we might find a barge on the way upstream. At least there’s lots of mooring space here, so we stay and take the chance of seeing Linz by night.

Bratislava,the exciting part

same day, July th 25th

bad mooring in Bratislava

When ready to sleep (some ice-cream later) we slowly stroll down to the pontoon. When turning round the corner to the pontoon we do not see Ellide Embla, only a huge cruising ship. First thought is that we went to the wrong pontoon, but a second later I realize it is the correct one. How can the cruising ship be so close when Ellide Embla is there? I rush down and see that the cruising ship is actually 5-6m from the pontoon giving some space for Ellide Embla while 3 guys try to move her (to where???). I jump onboard and start the engine. During that time Olga and the kids come down and the guys help them on board. Full speed ahead while Olga take care of the lines with help from the guys. We shout a “thank you” to them and now hope that no one will call.

Beograd to Novy Sad

July the 18th

We leave Beograd next morning after a fast shopping. Micael waves us good-bye. The day is very hot and we rather stay inside.

Morning shower

In Novy Sad we check in with the local border police. They find out that we have not registered the change of crew in Beograd, which is “ne dobre”, but they decide to do nothing about it and wish us a pleasant stay in Novy Sad (but we promise them to leave the city at 6:00PM). We do some shopping in Novy Sad – a COLD beer and a local wine and have a lunch at a pizzeria.

Novy Sad (Ellide Embla looks so small on this river)

first emergency stop

Wednesday, July the 8th

We are going up the stream which is not very strong, ca 2 knots. It is hot.

In the afternoon one of the motor’s cylinders stop working. It turnes out it is one of the pipes going from the injection pump to one of the injectors, very very uncommon. Actually never heard of by skipper or nobody else onboard. Malte Månsson will hear of this when getting back. The captain decides to look for a place to repair. We turn from Donau into a little channel – Micael sees a town there on his GPS. The first turn is not very lucky – we run aground and the mast rocks giving a bad feeling to the captain and Micael, don't trust the charts too much.

We stay the night in a small town (sorry, still do not know the name), Calabrista or something similar.

In the morning two guys from a local canoe club come by. Micael explains in body language that we are having a stop to fix the motor and they offer help at once - take us to a small workshop there the injection tube can be soldered.

Moreover, we get a chemical that functions in the cooker. So positive!

The skipper comes to the conclusion - no more whistling on board.

After a lunch dinner we will set of and continue during the night. Last night the gypsies at the shore were partying at least until 4 am. As well as the mosquitoes. We've had a few baths in the river, not actually knowing if we are getting cleaner or dirtier. At least a bit cooler.