Across the North Sea

Denmark Road Trip 2011 - Day 1

Crossing the North Sea on our way to Esbjerg for the start of our mini road trip across Denmark.

Got the train to Harwich in plenty of time for our 5:15pm departure on DFDS m/s Dana Sirena. After a brief shower while we were waiting at the ferry terminal, it has turned into a very pleasant warm (if rather humid) afternoon and evening. They have even opened a little bar on the sun deck at the back of the ship. For once, we get a good view of Harwich Town on our way out of the port, and the fascinating container port at Felixtowe on the other side of the eastuary. The massive cranes at Felixtowe make for quite an impressive sight as we watch them slowly disappear over the horizon.

For dinner we chose the buffet as usual, which this time included some fantastic cold roast beef. We were on the late (8:30pm CET) sitting, and it was not really very busy at all (maybe 20 or so others), which meant that we got a window table with a great view of the sun setting over the North Sea (or, to be more precise, the sun setting behind a bank of low cloud over East Anglia. We are travelling Commodore Class again, and I am writing this sitting in the lounge with a coffee and scotch. Dave has just checked out the main bar and apparently there are only three people in there - all in the smoking room. It seems it is livlier here in the lounge.

It is a warm evening and the sea is almost completely calm, so it looks like it should be a smooth crossing - rather different from the last time we were on this route, when the gale force conditions were practically throwing us out of our beds.

We are due to arrive in Esbjerg at 1:00pm tomorrow (CET).