11th April
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36 44.8 N 04.04.0 W
11th April CALETA DE VELEZ We made a reasonably early start, were out at 08.50, and I was open minded about destinations, thinking probably Benalmadena would be a good day’s run. Nick in much better shape, lovely sunny day, but wind right behind us (W/SW 2-5). We passed loads of places I recall from 60’s travel brochures –Jose Banus, We got to Caleta de Velez at 17.30 and were directed to the reception pontoon. It was pretty stark. A lump of concrete, the wind (ca 25 kts now) blowing Psyche onto it, exacerbated by swell from passing fishing boats, it really ground the fenders. The guy said we’d to move when the wind died down. Which kind of puts a damper on the “Hooray, we’ve made it, we’re sorted, let’s relax over a meal” feeling I normally have. The place is just a fishing town. We stomped around all over the place trying to find somewhere we could get a meal or even a drink. It was pretty dire. Then we spotted a place that looked brand new, marble floor, white table cloths, totally empty, called RR. There was a guy in there – so we wandered in, thinking it must be about to close or something, and the guy basically said we could bhave anything we liked as long as it was grilled fish – introducing us to a few in his chilled cabinet. Sorted. He made a brilliant tricolour salad, (the avocado was superb) and we had a grilled sole between us, with a pretty decent white (the name of which I forget.) It was very simple cooking – but the quality was first rate. Got back to the reception quay at 22.30 – the wind had dropped and they wanted a stern to mooring in the marina, so we had to get that organised, no problems, but a bit of toing and froing to fit a narrow gap, a couple of Germans on a neighbouring boat leaping to Action Stations, but no hassle, and they stood down in good humour. So, a long day, but 57 NM under our belt, cutting us some slack for the rest of the trip. |