To catch the strong current down river Elbe, I had to push against the tide for two hours in the early morning but then the current was with me all the way. The winds varied quite a bit during the day, the goose wing setup didn't work at all today, the wind was too weak for my heavy genua. But with the current I was making good speed for the main and the engine at 1500 revs.

I chose the more narrow and shallow northern approach channel into the Elbe estuary, to be away from the big ships that come and go likes pearls on a string on this river. Coming close to the locks into the Kiel canal the wind piped up and not from a good direction for tying up inside the lock. The smaller pleasure craft lock was open and apparently they were waiting for me. There was a small space at the end of the lock, behind a big sailing boat with Swedish flag and I tried to sneak in behind him. A strong gust throw my stern out from the pontoon and in the same moment the gates closed behind me. I had no room to maneuver any more so I signed to the Swedhis boat I was coming up beside him. Luckily a friendly guy who helped me with the lines, which was not that easy in the strong wind.

Small craft are not allowed to use the Kiel canal after dark, so I opted for the little marina just inside the looks. Well inside there I could see that the approach to Covid was very different from Helgoland. Lots of people on the quayside restaurant, very few masques to see. Appereantly island people have a more insular mindset than on the mainland.