Gibraltar 36 08.970N 005 21.315W
Persephone... Cruiser/Racer
Nigel & Karen Goodhew...
Thu 10 May 2018 20:23
That last segment of our trip from Madeira was very enjoyable, as it happens. The morning started bright and light, but the breeze built steadily during the morning and we hoisted the spinnaker around 1030. Up came the wind still further and our progress over the ground was crisp, at between 8 and 9 knots. Soon we were passing Tarifa and had Gibraltar firmly in our sights. The sun was hot and with 20 knots behind us we flew along.
Our gybing was tested a couple of times, and the crew passed the examination, getting more silky with practice, but as the breeze topped 27 knots at the entrance to the harbour, we elected to drop the kite and slow Persephone down for our final approach arriving around 1630 on Karens birthday!
So home for the last week has been at Marina Bay, moored stern to a concrete jetty type pontoon. That brings challenges as the tide ebbs, as we have no pasarelle, but we are managing, just, with occasional use of the dinghy to get ashore.
Since arrival, with Michaels help, on the boat maintenance front, we have, in no particular order;
Repaired the heads, fitting a new pump.
Repaired the diverter valve for the heads
Repaired the substandard installation of our holding tank, its pump and the associated wiring
Addressed a small diesel leak on the engine, following the overhaul in Madeira
Remounted the gearbox cooling pipes for the engine
Painted the back of the engine
In addition we have fully explored the isthmus, visited La Linea across the border in Spain, and walked all across, up, down and around Gibraltar.
Michael was embraced by the famous apes, we visited the war tunnels, drank the beer, ate the food and generally soaked up all that Gibraltar has to offer.
Michael flew back to Blighty today. Karen and I have alighted on Almerimar as our next destination, about 130 miles away, half way to Denia. We leave at first light tomorrow.
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