The Muritz See

Lakes and more lakes this week. We passed through a dozen or so, some large and some small and eventually reached the southern edge of the Muritzsee and stayed at place called Rechlin. It turned out to be the most expensive we have stayed in any marina, costing 18 euros or NZD36 for a night. They had the audacity to charge us a euro for rubbish disposal (which had never been done before) and when we said no thanks we don't have any, they said all boats have to pay it.

The weather next day was perfect for the first part of our crossing of the Muritzsee - Northerly Force 1. There was hardly any wind at all as we headed out into the open waters of the lake towards a lovely harbour on the west bank called Robel. It has beautiful scandinavian style thatched boat houses on stilts around the inner harbour. We anchored there for the night and watched the constant succession of boats going in and out of the narrow harbour entrance.

Next morning the wind has picked up to an Easterly Force 3 but it was no problem and we made good time to finish the crossing of the Muritz See arriving early afternoon in Waren. This is the best town and the prettiest town in the area and very popular. All berths had gone by mid afternoon and there was a constant stream of boats coming in, looking around and then going elsewhere. Waren is like a mediterannean seaside town. Lovely pinks and oranges, cobbled streets and a very nautical town with lots of restaurants and eiscafes around the edge. We stayed two nights there and ate out the second night in a charming restaurant on the edge of the harbour. First fish for a while – local zander whatever that is caught in the Muritz See. It was very hot in Waren. At one point the temperature in the cockpit was 39c and slightly cooler at 35c inside the boat.

On Friday morning we left Waren and headed through a narrow canal and entered a chain of very large lakes culminating in the Plauer See where we are now. Having followed the Havel River most of the way up here from Berlin, we are now following the Elde river towards our turning point at Schwerin where we will be later this week. We have been moored in a quiet spot for a couple of days soaking in the sun. The weather has been great this week but its looks a bit unsettled for the coming week. The lakes are very clear and unpolluted which is great and surprisingly warm too. There are many boats out and about now, and lots of hire boats but there is enough room for everyone. Especially busy in the weekends which we try and stay put for. All in all boating heaven on earth.