We start our journey through the Göta Canal

16.07.2024

We are up early and getting everything ready in the boat for the first lock in the Göta Canal. We both feel a little nervous before we enter the lock. At the same time, there are plenty of spectators along the locks, who are just there to watch.

It all works like this;

1. We fender the boat very well, and have a plank lying on the outside of some of the fenders to save wear and tear.

2. Attached a 15-meter rope to the back. This should be attached with a loop on land and should go straight up from the boat.

3. In front we have a rope that is 30 meters long. This should also be attached on land with a loop, some distance in front of the boat. In the boat the rope goes through the crossbeam and back to the helmsman, who has the rope around the winch. This must be tightened continuously as the water is let into the locks.

4. When we enter the locks, Ida holds both ropes and walks the boat up, securing the ropes where they will be when we are inside the lock. She also loosens the loops when the lock is finished.

It's something to think about, especially when there are other boats in the lock and the water is flowing in and tearing the boat back and forth.

We are so big that we are the only boat allowed into our first lock. Everything goes smoothly and a little before 10 we glide up the Göta Canal.

The weather is glorious and very nice and warm, so we couldn't have had a better start to the trip. We manage to walk on the wrong side of the first stake (which way does the trail go?), but otherwise no problems in the three locks we pass.

We eventually arrive in Söderköping, where we have to wait for a passenger boat before entering the lock. We take advantage of the break and buy ourselves an ice cream while we wait.

We find a great harbor right after Söderköping, where we settle down for the night. Here we will soon also be visited by "Tu Can Tango", and the kids can swim and have fun.

There will be a ride on scooters into Söderköping, where we will have hamburgers, football shirts and more ice cream, as well as a chance to look around a bit.

Back at the boat, the kids play and have fun while we adults enjoy a couple of glasses of wine before the rain sets in in the evening.

The first day in Göta Kanal has been absolutely great!