We're off again!

Ile Jeudi
Bob and Lin Griffiths
Fri 19 Aug 2011 14:31
37:35.80N  00:59.05W
 
Friday 19 August 2011
 
Distance Run  41 Miles
 
We have been in Torreveija since 1 August and the weather has been fine throughout.  We were finally ready to leave yesterday but the weather didn't cooperate - it was blowing a 'hooley' so we had to stay put!
 
We left Torrevieja this morning having repaired a number of things but not the thing we came here for - the rudder bearings.  But we do at least have a handle on the problem and know we can continue safely for a while until we can order what we need.
 
There was a terrible swell on the beam, left over from yesterday's strong winds, and we were being knocked around like a cork in the turbulent sea but at least we were moving again.  We managed to sail about 28 miles of the trip but had to resort to the engine again after a while.
 
We have one slight concern though.  Our new standing rigging, fitted in June this year, seems to be rusting!  We have more rust showing than we had with our previous 11 year old rigging!  It could be surface rust but we need to monitor it.  It is under guarantee and if it needs changing again we need to do it before we cross the Atlantic.
 
We reached Cartagena about 5 pm and went ashore for a lovely Tapas dinner.