38 20 N 000 25E Pipedream crosses the prime meridian!
Pipedream
Mon 27 Jul 2009 11:35
weather forecast. Sailing in about 20 Kts of wind from the west (behind us)
. Made the turn north in the night and proceeded to loose our wind. About
an hour later it was blowing hard from the North. First rule of sailing is that even Popeye
can't go straight into the wind. That morning it proceed to pipe up to 32
Kts and the seas started to build. The water in the Med is like sailing
lake Michigan. Short chop so the boat is on two waves at once making for a
wet and bumpy ride when the sea builds. We decided to duck into Cartagena, Spain, for the night. We
got going again about 1 PM.
Cartaqgena appears to be an industrial center - looks like an oil refinery
as you are coming in. There were maybe 10 war ships tied up around the port. We ate down town in the old section of town.
Saturday night and everyone was strolling the avenue with kids and dogs in
tow at about 1:00 AM. They have done a great job restoring the older buildings
many of which are light to show them off. Vast marble streets closed to
cars. Looks like it works. Another festival down town fire works around
2:00 AM and music till dawn.
The wind has been on our nose all night. Motoring into till dawn and then tried a little sailing. Heavy ship traffic early in the night. The radar quit working last night. Something else to fix! Getting pretty good at reading ship lights. Put the motor back on about noon. It is hot and muggy and pretty warm down below with the motor going. We have about 45 miles to go to Ibiza. Made pancakes for breakfast and will try a pot roast tonight depending what time we get in and if we get a slip or anchor out. We are all ready to be there.