Gibraltar

36:8.1N  005:21.3W The journey: We left Rabat on the second attempt. The first we were thwarted by large swells breaking at the harbour entrance, they subsided and at 4 in the afternoon we left for Gib accompanied by a very nice Dutch couple in their small yacht. For the first 4 hours not a breath of wind as we went north up the Moroccan coast, then suddenly from the west a perfect 15-20 knots of wind on our beam. Mithril soon flew along at about 7 knots (we only motor at 4) It was a fantastic combination of decent to strong winds and no waves. The sea was like a thick gloop of syrup as we ploughed our way through. Pizzas were served and all was well. The good winds lasted thru the night (all three sails unfurled) and we gobbled up the ground. Approaching the north tip of the Moroccan coast the wind started to move around and at one point the wind went quite hot and then changed direction 180 degrees. The seas started to pick up as we were approaching the meeting point of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Topped with this was the northern point of Africa and the weather got quite messy, not too strong but from all over the place. Engine re activated we prepared for a right turn into the med. Tangiers (or its suburbs) were already visible in the night sky, the city itself is five or so miles along and within the straits.

We  were a bit nervous, the straits have a bit of a reputation  first of all about 80 tankers a day traverse the straits which at its narrowest in 8 miles wide. Then you have Saharan winds mixing it with colder winds creating weather fronts. On top of that you have strong tides Anyhow  as we came into the straits the wind moved round to the east about force 5 and the waves were soon coming over the deck. The engine was at 75% revs and we were only doing one knot as the tide was against us. Tangiers slowly crept towards us at one knot, engines straining.

Now let me tell you about channel 16. This is the radio channel all shipping listens too for important information re maydays, weather bulletins or shipping movements. It is also used by Ahmeds taxis of tangiers so while traversing an eight mile wide supertanker highway trying to listen to life saving information we had Mustafa the taxi despatcher calling for a pick up on rue mohammed .

It was a bit miserable as we were not getting anywhere and this was the status quo for five hours until the tide changed |(wind still on our nose) and our speed rose to 4 knots.  Day approached as did Gibraltar through the mist. The harbour was filled with tankers which we veered around and with dawns direction we found the harbour. My first Mediterranean  berthing beckoned which means reversing into a very narrow space. I thought i would   bow first which is easier but means difficult getting on and off, at the last second i decided to reverse which is much harder.  Anyhow no problems. Having successfully moored up we fell into a deep and contented sleep ( Adam quite self satisfied) and the next day dawned bright and sunny and off we went to explore......