With 2 weeks available for our holiday, the next task was to consult the car ferry brochures. Scandinavian Seaways run a direct ferry from Harich to Esbjerg which is about 80 miles from Struer. However, the fare seemed expensive even when using the cheaper weekday Seapex Return rates. On the other hand, the P&O ferry from Dover to Ostende was much cheaper. By using a concessionary P&O fare and even allowing for the extra cost of petrol we were able to halve the cost of the North Sea ferry. Because we could travel over the weekend using the Dover route and also pick a time to suite ourselves we were able to make up the extra time spent by driving overland. Continental trailing is very straightforward, we motor along at 50mph in the nearside lane, stopping every few hours for a break in one of the frequent motorway parking areas.

The next stage of planning was to examine the overland route in more detail. Having spent another winter evening poring over various road maps, our estimated distance for the journey from Ostende to Struer worked out as 675 miles. We knew from previous continental trails that this would take about a day and a half to drive. The plan was now taking taking shape - a 15 day holiday with 4 days of trailing would provide 11 days afloat on the Limfjord. All we had to do now was to select the dates. Danish guide books suggested that the school holidays finish at the beginning of August but that flies can be a nuisance later on in the month. This suggested that a departure date towards the end of July would be most suitable.

Our Swift 18, 'Tiger Lily', has already been abroad five times and is now well used to continental trailing (see Cruising Magazine July 1990). She does not need much preparation, just a thorough service of the trailer and some wax and polish on her hull. Normally she is kept on the trailer and so is not anti- fouled. On the road we treat Tiger Lily as a caravan using her for sleeping and cooking, the problem of getting on and off being solved by using a small portable ladder.

Departure date arrived and we set off for Dover, arriving in time to catch the 1am ferry. Trailer sailors find it is best to cross the English Channel fast asleep and let the ferry captain do all the work ! After an early morning start on the Sunday and a few short naps en-route we managed to cover 512 miles during the day, ending up in a German parkplatz for the night. It was now only a few miles to the Danish border and a half day drive to Struer.

By 12:30pm next day we were looking for either the slipway or the harbour master. As half expected, we found that the slipway was unsuitable, but the harbour master said that we could be craned in for £15 within 15 minutes. The whole operation was conducted very efficiently by a mobile crane in the main shipping dock and next to a large grain silo. Although not in the true traditions of a trailer sailor, this launching method is very convenient and does not wet the trailer. A parking space for the trailer was found and the car left in full view of the harbour master's office, so that he could keep an eye on it.

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