Realising we probably wouldn’t make the last bridge opening for our original destination, we decided to stop off at Cartagena, which was en route to Mar Menor. As we sailed past the oil refinery on the way in we wondered why the pilot guide was so enthusiastic about this ancient town. However, as we approached the town quay to be shown into place by a helpful guy from Senegal (as he was keen to tell us), we could start to appreciate it’s delights. Cartagena is steeped in history. It was the place that Hannibal started his trek to Rome with his elephants. If the elephants were ordered direct from Africa, they were probably put ashore in pretty much the same spot we are currently moored. I’m not sure how you’d go about securing a supply of elephants today.

   

What we have been trying to secure are safety items to comply with the ARC rules for crossing the Atlantic. We’re getting to the point of hoping we have a catastrophe in order to use the plethora of equipment that is slowly taking up more and more space on board.

We spent yesterday afternoon and evening walking round Cartagena. The streets are narrow with tall, elaborately ornate buildings on either side. Very little sun reaches the streets which keeps them pleasantly cool in the heat of the day. As a contrast to these old buildings, there are many modern statues dotted around the town, in bronze or stone. They appear around any street corner and you never know what you’re going to find next. There are also the remains of a Roman Theatre, which we could see but not enter.

 

  

July is a month of free live music. Last night where was a concert by a Jamaican Reggae band which was brilliant. We had excellent seats from the cockpit!

 

  

View from stern, early evening                                                         Roman Theatre