37:35.76N 05:58.73W

28 & 29 October

Now west of Greenwich so longitudes are now West, that to us is a significant change as it means we are heading out of the Med.

We left Ibiza at a leisurely 09:30 with the thought of making it to Cartagena around daybreak the next day.  Looking at the weather just before we left showed a strong gale forming just east of Cartagena in the wee hours of the morning.  So once underway we went for more speed than fun.  Heading out of the protection of Ibiza and Formentera the seas were rough from the prior days or storms.  The good part was that the waves being “aged” were not steep and the boat sailed over then.  But still we had some pretty big rolls with the boat as it had to deal with these old codgers.

For one fleeting moment the sails came out and we were making a good 7+ knots but that lasted too short of a time.  Once we cleared the islands the winds dropped and sailing was just like being in a washing machine, creeping along at less than 4 knots.  Knowing we had a “gale related” deadline back on came the engine and speed was set to the high 7 knot range.  We past several other sailboats trying to make their way with just wind and I bet they had a very rough night in the later gale force winds.

So through the night we ventured with the radar being used to watch for squalls which were everywhere.  We got hit a few times but nothing really bad.  Rounding the cape toward Cartagena the winds grew from the north as predicted.  The Cartagena pilot came on the VHF radio and provided gale warnings to all ships.  However for once timing was great and we beat the gale into the harbor.  Entering the harbor at night after a long day can be tough but it is well marked with proper lights and the city glow aided in identifying objects.  Of course being having a military base in the harbor means that their boats enter at high speed and do not show on the AIS system.  Not a problem but can catch you out when being passed in a 3 knot zone.

The marina folks were great even at 04:30 in the morning.  One call on the radio and they responded and waved a flashlight (torch) indicating the place to berth.  Easy to do since they have finger piers that are alongside berthing and stern to entry.  Quick setting of lines and connection to the electricity then sleep.

This is the second time we have come into this harbor and now had a little time to see the town again.  We found the walled city and castles on the hilltop.  Nice view of the harbor and of course the military base, container cargo berths, oil refinery and a few other industrial places.  Just after we arrived a cruise ship berthed in the marina.  Impressive to get such a large ship through the entrance and berthed.  Did not know this was a point of destination for Royal Caribbean lines.

Nice marina staff and laid back attitude that is nice.  Plenty of live aboard boats, some look like they will never leave or would flounder if they did.

The trip was 19.5 hours and 148 nautical miles.

Modern Cartagena provides the best for cruise ship tourist while not being overcrowded.

They have spent money on making the place nice, even to have whale statues in the water.  No wonder Spain has financial issues with all the governmental spending.

The marina we were berthed.  Picture taken from the old castle in the walled city.  The city had many occupiers from the Carthinians, Romans, Muslims, various Spanish groups, Austrians (Hapsburgs), French and of course the Civil War destruction when Franco took control.  It is amazing how many time the city prospered because of its harbor, location and trading, but also how many times is was destroyed and neglected for years.  Today it is again on a growth spurt combining industry (oil refining, fertilizers, mining, quarries, shipyards, military base) and tourism.

Cruise ship leaving.  The entrance at night looked too small for such a ship but I was wrong.  Notice the navy shipyard at the right of the picture.  The oil refinery it out past the cruise ship on the left.  The hill to the right of the cruise ship has old submarine tunnels.

The Roman amphitheater in a restored state.  Used for current events makes it more than just a historic location.

Persevere at its berth with the new SatComm system on the stern pole.

One of the many local boats that would be a challenge to move again.  Of course as we have seen in other places this is British.  They seem to self built boats sometimes with more energy than sense.  This is a wooden catamaran with a schooner rig!  The rot and neglect signal it is time for the rubbish bin.  But I am sure the owner would disagree.