Whereas Aeroskobing felt like a town going to sleep for the winter, Marstal seems a bit run down with some empty shops. The ship repair docks were also slumbering and they look like the town's main industry, along with fishing, but in fairness it was a Sat. Soby where we were two days ago you would describe as already asleep except that they are building a new jetty for an electric ferry, and it's pile-driving time ... from 0830 to 1830.
The centre of Marstal was humming when we arrived - streets closed, a police car with blues on, what could it mean? A charity fun run by small children (very fast) and some mums (more dignified). The children's reward appeared to be the biggest inflatable bouncing thing ever seen (pic).
Again the Red Cross charity shop was as big as any and right into middle; if not so fussy you could furnish a house very cheaply here. It didn't take long to quarter the town. We purchased a tasty and surprisingly economical lunch from the bakery - two large filled rolls and an almond slice for a fiver - and scoffed it by the quayside waiting for the 1400 bus back. The bus is a pleasant 25 minutes through rolling bucolic countryside - although it's mostly crops here, there are the occasional small groups of cows.
After a refreshing cuppa on the boat we set forth again, this time on the 15 min walk to the beach where we could see some pretty beach huts (pics). This turned to be their equivalent of our beloved Studland beach though in miniature. We paddled, we considered a swim but on balance decided we have nothing to prove and both water and air were pretty cold despite the dunes being warm.
Walking back behind the huts along the grassy edge of a one track road, there was a crash and Lesley went from holding Nic's hand to being on her back on top of a bicycle on top of the cyclist. As we recovered from the shock and checked Lesley over for damage the group of middle-aged Danish cyclists were profusely apologetic. The perpetrator had apparently been blinded by the sun, but given we'd have been visible to them from 100 yards away that cut little ice. We expressed our anger in a very English way and they were very concerned in their polite Danish way. The perp's wife gave us address and phone in case of any follow-up. Lucky it seems Lesley got away with a scratch on her arm and no damage to clothes which is remarkable.
After that excitement it was back to the boat for another reviving cuppa then some planning for the next two days of sailing (probably motoring in no wind) towards our winter quarters.
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