36 41.820N 002 47.485W Almerimar, Spain

Pipedream
Wed 21 Sep 2011 19:46
Tied up safely in Almerimar marina today around 11 AM.

At about 3 PM yesterday were motoring along by Cartagena and decided to go on to Almerimar. Late in the afternoon the wind started to pick up and shifted to blow right from the stern. We were doing between 6 and 7 knots most of the way with the engine running at a bit above idle. At one point the wind picked up to 22 but dropped again before we had to reef the main. Probably the best night sail of the trip. This morning the Spanish Coast Guard came up along side and asked Mike how many people were on board. I think they are concerned about Libyans comming in from across the channel.

The marina is big and fairly new and very reasonable. The only down side so far is that it is located on a fairly remote coast and there is not a lot near by. I have gotten directions to Madrid to fly out on the 27th and also the how to on getting back to Granada. Lots of Brit bars and boaters here. Acres of empty condos all around the marina complex. We had lunch at a bar today and had the 1/2 pound cheese burger with chips (fries). Good stuff. Already found the laundry, post office, and got some internet from the marina.

Katie is engaged! Got the news when I picked up today's email. And she was wondering what she was going to do when she stopped sailing.... Hah! Good timing too... she turns 26 tomorrow. I tried to get home for both but the weather just would not cooperate! Go Katie.

We will be fixing cleaning thing on Pipedream for a few days and then give her a couple of months of well deserved rest here in Almerimar before we sail back towards the states.