Denia. 38 50.400N 000 07.226E
Persephone... Cruiser/Racer
Nigel & Karen Goodhew...
Thu 24 May 2018 18:14
But first, a real first for Persephone in our ownership.....we have passed the Grenwich Meridian and are reporting our longitude with an E for the first time!
Our sail here from Cartegena was as uneventful as it was slow. We expected a solid breeze all night, but in fact, drifted downwind in less than 7 knots for much of the night, after a good start and exciting kite ride, rounding the point just north east of Cartagena. But as the afternoon faded, so did the breeze. So, in the end, we resorted to the engine, and the 118 miles took us almost exactly 24 hours.
The marina here is large, modern and fringed with attractive restaurants, but we are a little distance away from the town, and after a couple of days here, it has to be said, the place lacks a little soul. We managed our mediterranean moofing to the concrete dock ok, and Karen can (just) manage our impromptu pasarelle....the bathing steps plus some rope, to get up onto the dock.
After a good lunch on arrival we spent a little time exploring Denia. It is a proper Spanish town, but indistinctive. A busy port though and with a long history....Ancient Greeks were here 2600 years ago, but almost nothing remains from before the 20th century.....except, the castle dominating the rocky hill overlooking the town. That boasts a museum and in there are lots of Roman remains.....so there!
But we have enjoyed the place, nevertheless, and marvelled at the magnificent granite backdrop to the town, which rises as a sheer cliff to the south.
On the boat maintenance front, our annoying engine oil leak has been pinpointed. It comes from the little plate on the back of the head, which acts as hanger for a hoist as well as the spigot for the air intake silencer. I cant find a part number for its gasket, but we have procured some gasket sealant compound and if nipping up the bolts a tad doesnt sort it, I can rebed it with a new, artificial gasket. Deep mechanical joy.
Tomorrow morning, at first light, we will head out to the east, into the blue Mediterranean, towards our first Balearic island, Ibiza. Depending on your taste, the overtures are infinitely variable, but no, I don’t expect to be clubbing, ecstatic, or raving, but we do appear to be able to look forward to some quite spectacular anchorages....watch this space.
We have booked a space in San Antonio after registering on the Ports IB website....something that is easier said than done.
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