Thursday 15^th May – Gibraltar - Estapona

36:24.890N 5:09.441W

This morning we decided to push on around the corner so that we were totally in the Med; in Gib it feels like you are on the border.  We have enjoyed Gibraltar so were a little reluctant to leave.

We set off at around 11am with a promising breeze in the marina and as we went down the side of the runway to the corner we saw the P&O cruise liner ‘Oceana’ docking against the harbour wall.  Up went our sails and we started sailing down through Gibraltar Bay, and then the wind died forcing us to motor sail down to Europa Point.  We cut inside the sunken ship off the end of the point to take a look at it being salvaged.

After rounding the corner, we set sail again.  The effect of the Rock meant that the winds were quite variable.  In the end there was only about 0-3 knots of wind and so, as it was around lunchtime, we continued sailing (well drifting along on the tide) whilst I jigged unsuccessfully for mackerel (to Richard’s relief) and we had lunch.

After lunch and a final bit of fishing we then motored on and reached Estapona late afternoon – it was very hot and still once in the marina.  Moonshadow had reserved a space for us at reception as it is a local holiday here today and the office closed at 2pm.  Once berthed we had a short sundowner with Peter and Carola before showering and eating.

After dinner we went for a walk along the beach to town - although only a short distance into the Med, the evening already felt warmer than in Gibraltar.  The town is quite big and has a nice feel to it with lots of small streets and bars as well as what looks like a business-like town centre with mainstream shops for clothing and shoes.  The streets were covered with ferns and also branches from trees were stuck to window frames as there had been parades earlier in the day as part of the festival celebrations. 

We went looking for the fair but when we asked it turned out to be a long walk away and we were getting tired so we walked back to the marina, had a quick drink in a lively (loud) bar, and then to bed – not realising until we were back on Pyxis that it was already 1am – where does the time go?