Polish maxi catamaran Gemini III in Øresund

The Gemini III approaching Helsingør

This is the Polish maxi catamaran Gemini III sailing through Øresund southwards this morning, at about half past nine. The Gemini III, built by the Swedish Marstrom composite shipyard, is one of the fastest sailing boats in the world with a top speed of 38,4 knots (about 70 km/h !) Two years ago the catamaran crossed the Atlantic (from the West to the East) in just 8 days 23 hours and 27 seconds, which was - and probably still is - a world record. 


The Gemini III is very light - only 9 tons - for its size (27 x 14m). The impressive mast is 33m high. 


Here is a video about the Gemini III:

Brand new heavy load carrier Meri sailing through Øresund

The brand new Finnish Heavy Load Carrier Meri today sailed through Øresund on its way fromSwedish Södertälje to Kårstø (in English Karstoe) in Norway, with an interesting load.


The 3400 gross registered tons, 105 x 18m ship, built by STX Finland Turku shipyard made its first sea trial in the Turku archipelago as recently as May 26 this year. 

A German three-masted schooner in Øresund

(Additional info (19 July): It appears that this is the German  3-mast-topsail schooner  Albatros.)

This German three-masted schooner tonight sailed northwards in Øresund. A gorgeous sight! Unfortunately the ship had turned off its AIS, so I did not get its name. If somebody can help me to recognize the schooner, I would be very grateful.

The Romanesque Cathedral of Lund

The Cathedral of Lund in Scania (Southern Sweden) is the most important Romanesque building in Scandinavia. At the time it was built - during the first half of the 12th century - Lund was already the seat of an archbishop whose diocese covered all of Scandinavia. (It should perhaps be pointed out Lund as well as the entire Southern Sweden, was part of Denmark until 1658, when Sweden took over). 

The two towers were made higher in connection with the renovation in the late 19th century. 

 

The Lund Cathedral was built in the same style as the Speyer and Mainz cathedrals in Germany. The outer length of the cathedral is 87m.

The cathedral in c. 1870, before the renovation.
(image by wikipedia) 

The Romanesque apse.

The arched gallery in the apse.

The portals are built in Lombardian style. 

The south portal.

The north portal.

The interior of the Cathedral is 80m long. The nave is 21m high.

The Gothic altarpiece dates from 1398.

Detail of the astronomical clock, the Horologium Mirabile Lundense, from around 1424. An organ in the clock plays In Dulci Jubilo twice daily. 

This "clock" is from 1623.

A beautiful stained glass window.

More information on the Lund Cathedral also here.

A musical mood enhancer

When you feel a bit down, try this:

MSC Poesia and Costa Fortuna on the evening of July 15

Below are two of the cruise ships - the MSC Poesia (293 x 32m) and the Costa Fortuna (273 x 30m) which tonight were on their way northwards in Øresund.

The MSC Poesia minutes after having passed Helsingør tonight.

A close up of the Poesia.

The Costa Fortuna in the vicinity of Helsingborg/Helsingør

Simple pleasures nr. 21: Watching clouds

How sweet to be a Cloud Floating in the Blue!”
A.A. Hodge

Another cloud study from my balcony, this morning.