Cartagena. 37 35.760N 000 58.778W
Persephone... Cruiser/Racer
Nigel & Karen Goodhew...
Thu 17 May 2018 09:03
The sail here was straightforward if a tad uncomfortable at times; a true beat all the way from Almerimar, a distance of about 120 miles. We actually logged a tad over 140, as the zigging and zagging adds a bit.
We re learned the features of sailing upwind. And to be fair, it is some time since the sails were set in the close hauled position, probably almost 11 months, in the approach to Horta, or sailing along the coast of Sao Jorge in the Azores. In the Med, as elsewhere, when the breeze pipes up above about 15 knots, you get a short steep chop in the sea which is remarkably efficient at stopping boats!
Still, we pressed on, and had a lovely day in fabulous sailing conditions, followed by a pleasant night with 11 to 15 knots of breeze. I helmed much of the time, leaving Fred, our autohelm to handle the couple of hours I managed to steal for sleep.
And, after 24 hours, we closed in on the port of Cartagena. The desert landscape here has its own drama, enhanced perhaps on this occasion by the sight of what we now know to be the worlds largest privately owned sailing yacht, on final sea trials. This is the Sailing yacht “A”, some 143 plus metres long, and 25 metres wide! Just 500 million and she could be yours!
We had a warm welcome here, and an actual pontoon to come alongside, rather than the now familiar stern to mediterranean moorings.
Now off to explore the ancient city.....
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