2nd July 2008 - Cadiz (Jim morphs into the Duracell Bunny)
Bali Hai
Neal Stow
Wed 2 Jul 2008 21:28
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I got up this morning to find a completely new
crew. All fit, healthy and enthusiastic for the day ahead. I put to
the back of my mind the thought that this might have had something to do with
the fact that there was no sailing involved today and looked forward to a day of
pleasant activity (perhaps I should have been more cautious about what a good
night's sleep had unleashed).
The original plan had been to go to Jerez for the
sherry but based on our previous evening in Cadiz and the fact that the train
trip was going to be quite a trek we decided to spend the day "pottering"
about Cadiz instead. As mentioned yesterday, the town is quite a walk from
the marina but this was okay for a gentle stroll before lunch.
Lunch was very pleasant, simple grilled bream with a salad and a glass of cold
beer. While I considered that an afternoon siesta, following the example
of most of the population of Cadiz, would be a good idea, Jim and Julian were
both remarkably perky and the next moment we were off on a walking tour of the
old part of the town.
The tour was actually quite interesting with lots
of twisty cobbled streets to explore but I was quite glad when we stopped
for a glass of sherry and gallon of water at the end. The question was
then what to do before dinner? Option 1 was to take a taxi back to
the boat and rest or just sit in a cafe and relax. Option 2 (at Jim's
suggestion) was to hike half way across town in the searing heat to a department
store; buy some sausages and then hike back across town to where we had just
come from for dinner.
A moment of madness overtook me and I agreed to
Jim's choice and off we went, following in the wake of the bionic man. I
really hope that the sausages are good and at least I was able to purchase some
good sherry in lieu of not making it to Jerez.
Julian's purchase at the department store was
insect repellent, which he decided to spray on in the middle of the bar where we
went for dinner. In the mornings Julian emerges from his cabin smelling
like a poof's boudoir and he applies insect repellent with the same liberal
abandon, spraying himself and anyone within a ten foot radius. It is not
difficult to imagine the reaction of our fellow diners in the bar.
The food was very average but it was a
wonderful outdoor setting with lots of activity in the plaza and it was
great just watching the place come alive. As it is (hopefully) another
early start tomorrow for the long leg to Gibraltar we returned to the boat
fairly early and got it ready and then had a nightcap (or rather Jim did -
signalling a return to full health).
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