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Date: 21 Jul 2009 12:07:52
Title: 36 08.5N 005 22W Under the Rock
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We must be having a good time. It is getting hard to find time to write. Got into Gibraltar and the welcome blow started right on schedule. 35 kts of wind. a ;little bouncy and lots of ship traffic. We had a fishing boat on a collision course that would not give way. I dodged the steering and jibbed the boom (bad thing in lots of wind) tore the preventer fitting off and the boom barely missed Chris. They had a slip for us - last one. Tied up under the rock pretty neat. We tied up nose to the pier and had to scrounge around for a gang plank. They have a nice one at the marina store for 299 pounds - that's around $500 ! I haven't sprung for that yet but no one has fallen in the drink yet.

I was able to successfully have my spare parts delivered without a ton of taxes - and have installed about half the stuff already. Chris and I were able to pick Mary up successfully in Algeciras, Spain ( about a 25 min cab ride), coming in on the train from Madrid. With no real cell phone contact and spotty internet it was a real feat and my concern level dropped about 10 points when I saw her get off the train. Mary brought lots of stuff we forgot - an extra suit case full including a major care package from Matt's parents.

Gibraltar is a mix of English with Spanish influence. The speak English, and use Gibraltar pounds for money. Apparently there is a bit of a land fude between England and Spain over Gibraltar. Local politics. There is an airport runway litterly right next to where the Pipedream is tied up. There has been a 9 day 'festival' going on in the neighboring Spanish city, La Linea, across the runway . We went into town one evening and it was a major league party. Plastic garbage cans full of beer and what ever, groups partying shoulder to shoulder in the streets. The noise level at the marina maybe a mile away could be heard over the jets taking off.

Rock the Kasbah! We took a day trip to Tangier, Morocco yesterday. My boat insurance does not cover us on the south side of the Med.so we took the ferry over. We were hustled by Aziz as soon as we got off the boat. His English was pretty good - and to do a big city in a day is tough without some help. We taxied to the Kasbah. Chris's first quest, and then had dinner at a place at one of the gates. It was a set up - reminded me of Epcot but worth every minute of our time. With 5 of us we ordered litterly everything on the menu. No one got sick! Very ornate furnishings 5 man band a real hoot! After that we went on a walking tour of the Kasbah. Lots of very narrow streets, real people, and people pointing to us saying 'English'. Needless to say not too many people speak English there. Got back to the marina at about 2 AM.

Chris and Matt went to climb the rock. I think Mary, George, and I will take the cable car to the top. I want to see a wild monkey before we leave. George is in town getting a massage. His legs have been bothering him with all the walking and boat movement.

I have a few things to fix before we leave for Ibiza. The frig has leaked out again and we are supposed to meet our fourth refrigerator repair man tomorrow before we leave. Spam and water... or cold beer and steak? I ordered an AIS system that will show us where all the big ships are and show them that we are there. Cheap insurance. I still have to install the antennas for it. I think I have the HF radio working again. (new Icom tuner). All for now. Time for an 'English' breakfast.

Hey everyone, it's Mary!!! Wow...this is very cool...and I have a lot to learn again. Ok...no pictures, cause this connection takes forever to upload pics. Also, it cuts off attached pictures that I've sent to these guys. I'm ready to adopt Matt....he's wonderful! Katie...my goal today is stamps from Gibraltar. Tried to find some in Tangier, but they couldn't direct us to a post office....but we DID rock the Kasbah!!! Will send more when we find a good internet connection/internet cafe. By the way, when they say you walk onto Gibraltar, they mean it...taxi dropped us off, we flash our passports and start walking....down a road, across the landing strip of the airport...they have a crossing light that goes red in case a plane is coming...and then through a neighborhood to the marina and out onto our dock...my legs are getting a workout!
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