By heading closer to the Spanish mainland and not direct course we also avoided much of the countercurrent.

I was with Dora Mac in Cartagena almost 8 years ago but Mercedes has never been here.

Named Carthago Novo (New Carthago) by the Romans, it was the bridgehead for Hannibal Barca on his war against the Roman empire.

Today being one of Spains major naval cities it has much to offer both in terms of history and naval warfare.

We made landfall just before sunset and had a nice evening walk. Restaurants and bars were full but with the majority being Spanish families and very few tourists the atmosphere is very different to the Baleares. This is a likeable and genuine Spanish city.