Former Russian research vessel Akademik Ioffe in Öresund

The former Russian oceanographic research vessel Akademik Ioffe was this morning in Öresund on its way to Gdansk. The Finnish built ship (Rauma, 1989) now specializes in polar expeditions. There are beds for 96 guests.

Great chocolate from Austria

Great chocolate from Austria!

Here are 10 health benefits of dark chocolate.

Celebrity Silhouette in Helsingborg

The huge Celebrity Silhouette (318 m, 2886 passengers) today opened the 2016 cruise season in Helsingborg. Hopefully the guests enjoyed their brief visit in spite of the rather chilly weather.

The official opening of the Royal "cruising season" in Denmark

The Danish Royal Family is in possession of Dannebrog, the world´s most beautiful royal yacht. Queen Margrethe and the other members of the Royal Family use the yacht for both domestic and foreign visits.

The official opening of the royal "cruising season" always takes place in the end of April, with a short trip from Copenhagen to Helsingør. Yesterday it was again time for the traditional opening ceremony in Helsingør. However, the Dannebrog was not able to make port due to the strong wind. With the Queen onboard, the ship had to return to Copenhagen.

The Royal Yacht Dannebrog trying to make port at Helsingør yesterday.

The official car of Her Majesty the Queen returned empty to Copenhagen.

The famous Helsingør Girls Marching Band braved the bad weather.

A member of the Helsingør Girls Marching Band.

Another member of the Marching Band.

The Danish Royal Yacht leaves Helsingør with the Queen onboard.

Morning clouds over Denmark

Morning clouds over Öresund and the coast of Denmark:

Bruichladdich - my new favourite whisky

My new favourite whisky, from the Hebrides:

Here is how the distillery describes it:

"In Victorian times, when Bruichladdich Distillery was built, all Scottish barley was organically grown. The relationship between distiller, farmer and soil was intimate and enduring. These ties were lost as industrialised farming cut through ancient synergies and an age of super efficient blandness was born.

In partnership with our organic farmers – Sir William Roberts of Mains of Tullibardine, William Rose at Mid Coull and Neil Scobie at Coulmore – we are rediscovering these synergies."

More info here:
www.bruichladdich.com