Here a series of pictures of the Dutch brig "Aphrodite" taken during passage of Lillebælt on July 05.2006.
She was heading straight towards Snævringen , - "The Narrows" -, and the wind was just right for this course.
I was on my way back to port, when I saw a tall ship in the horizon.
Full rigged masts and white hull made me believe that it was the biggest of the Danish training ships, - "Danmark" -, but when she came closer I noticed that she had only two masts, - a brig -, while "Danmark" is a real full rigger with three masts.

I was low on gasoline, - and really should sail home -, but could not resist to wait for the brig to get closer in order to identify her, and to circle around her a couple of times to take photos - - -
After all, - it is NOT very often you see a real brig in these waters -, and if I really ran out of fuel, I could always reach land by rowing.

She was the steel brig "Aphrodite" of Stavoren carrying Dutch flag.
Unfortunately she is NOT an old-timer, but a fairly new ship built in 1994 with the purpose of sailing with passengers.
Therefore some ugly deck houses have been added, which to a certain degree spoils the illusion of a real "old-timer".
But although she is not "the real thing", she is still well worth to have a look at although a real ship lovers heart will not start pounding violently when seeing her - - -
And now she happened to pass Middelfart on her journey north through Lillebælt - - -

The "Aphrodite" is 31 m. long and has a breadth of 6,5 m. and a draught of 1,9 m.
The mast height is 23 m, and she carries 383 square meters of sail.

Please enjoy my impressions from a boat trip circling the "Aphrodite" a few times.
 
 

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                       June 26.2008