We are still at the same place, inside  Ensenad de Mazarrón.

I do not know how its works — but the place definitely has the charm and magic of its own. 

First, it is well protected. ( Probably except the  S and SW winds …. But those are not prevailing… ).

It seems to be even better protected then the anchorages in the next bay,  like Rincón de la Saltrona, where the entry to the Cartagena Harbour is….  Probably, that protection was the reason why several boats from all over  moved yesterday, and anchored around me.  Suddenly, we build the ‘colony’ of 6 boats,  from all over the world. 

Secondly, it is somehow extremely peaceful here… Beautiful beach in front of me, but it is nearly empty. Today is Sunday, and there are a few people around… But during the week days — it was completely empty….  Or, may be it is just the end of the tourist season ?

We are anchored near Punta de la Azohia.  There is a small village there. ( Again, I’m calling it a village, and indeed… it looks like it… But only because of the size…  The infrastructure, the quality of the buildings… are really surprising me… As I see those, I can not stop to compare it with what I’ve seen on the Islands…  ;-)).

I do not know what the people are doing there, what they are  working for… Are they working on the green houses ‘plantation(s)’,  a few miles away? Are those just the summer houses for some people, living further in land ?   No idea.   There are a few fishing boats around…. But those look more like the ‘serious pleasure fishing’ boats, rather then the ‘commercial fishing’ boats… And  there is no infrastructure for fishing on the shore… 

One thing I notice — the very active diving shop.  Somehow it is making 3-4 tours per day…. Week days, or weekend days… With 10+ people of the time…. Each tour — looks to be 2 tanks diving…   Plus, nearly  constant training of new divers near the shore….    May be that is  the business which holding the village together ? 

What am I doing ? 

The main task now — to get understanding of the local weather, what should I expect, and how to get the proper information. 

The first part — the weather pattern(s) of the region — was relatively easy.  The books, the Internet, and I got the ‘generic’ picture.  Unfortunately, the prevailing wind seems to be NW, N, NE… Exactly from the directions where I’m planning it go… So, waiting for the ‘proper, favourable winds’ — appears to be the time wasting process,   and I would better to recall my experience of going from Santa Marta ( Columbia ) to Grenada,  bite the bullet, and go… 

( Saying that,  It appeared to be a good decision  to come that anchorage. The evening I arrived, the local warning was issued for the strong wind with some low disturbance passing by…  That explains a lot of rain fall and the  sever thunderstorm(s) during my first night staying ).

The second part — getting the right forecast…   Why am I so keen to find one ? 

According to the articles on the local marine weather, the area is well known for the gales, developed as quickly as within 15-20 minutes… With no real prediction…. 

But the probability for such conditions — are usually predicted within 3-4 day ahead…  ( Again, that is the theory ;-)). 

Now, the real challenge — to get those forecasts… 

The guide book says about the ‘weather forecast announcements’ on VHF Ch. 16…  True, there are such announcements… But so far, they look sporadic, and… even though they are making some of them in English — I found them too short, too generic,  and a bit useless… 

I look onto the Net  — the  SSB timing and Frequencies … Plenty sources are mentioning them… But I checked all those, and found none working so far… Again, either the end of the season, or the frequencies and/or timing has changed for that season… 

The best sources for the local weather  as mentioned — aemet.es,  ( Spanish meteo ),  Meteo France, and Monaco Radio… Checked their web sites… Seems to be true — those should be very good weather sources… But failed so far to find reliable procedure to get the forecast for the day or two… 

Why I think it is important ?

I mentioned in my previous posts — I found the Med  very flat, no big seas… But though I’m experiencing those conditions for now, I also understand very well — that is  not always like that, and severe seas may be build quickly… And probably, it would be much more choppy then I got acquainted with before…  And I prefer to avoid those, and be in a good place when it happens… 

And between all that — some cleaning,  checking equipment, reading,  etc, etc, etc….

What is next ?  Keep going North!    May be in a bit slower fashion,  but keep going! 

Those are all news on board.

I wish everyone the great day,

Talk to you soon,

M.

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