24^th April  CARTAGENA

37 36.0 N   00 59.1 W

A day off on an empty boat! Graham left yesterday afternoon, we’d had the usual tapas to eat and thoroughly enjoy, and a good wander round the town – though almost all the sights were closed on Mondays.

Chris and Beverley came round for drinks, so we had a good old gossip and natter and generally good laugh. I went to a chandler who is going to make up a couple of spring lines for me (metal springs eye spliced  to a mooring line, to stop the dreadful snap back when moored stern to in any kind of swell), and got a couple of big round fenders to go on the stern when mooring – just like everybody else…! Will collect later on.

Charlotte and Nigel arriving shortly for the trip up to Denia, weather forecast looks OK, so hopefully an early start and get some miles in while we can.

I schlepped up to Mercadona this morning to stock up on water, bits and pieces, and lugged the bag all the way back through town, and had a clear out of past its sell by stuff in the pantry. All very organised, and done more quickly than I expected.  

This afternoon visited the Casa de la Fortuna, and the Roman amphitheatre. Both very well preserved and presented, a real sense of Roman presence in New Carthage. The statues in the museum of dancers were very well executed. Then found a great tapas bar and pointed at what I wanted, one was eggs and tomatoes, the other a crab salad. Blue sky and hot sun – but a cold wind when it blows. Was quite chilly last night. Football on telly again tonight – Chelsea v Barcelona. If the other night is any kind of guide the locals will all be rooting for Chelsea….!