Thursday 29^th May – On Passage

36:53.270N 1:52.300W

Today we woke up to find the weather forecast had improved and would finally allow us to travel on around Cabo De Gata, the next main headland we needed to negotiate. 

The length of passage suggested an overnight passage would be favourite – leaving in the light mid afternoon and arriving in the light the following day.  It has been quite a long time since we have been able to consider sailing at night given the minefields of fishing pots along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts we have encountered.

However, when we set off, the wind was lighter than anticipated and as we wanted to get to the Cape before sundown we had to motor-sail.  The headland was impressive to see in the evening light as the sun went down, though the swell there was still decidedly large and lumpy.

For dinner I made pastry and put together some pasties that will keep us going for dinner and overnight – it gave me something to do as we were motoring across the Golfo de Almeria.

Once around the headland we hoped for the wind to come on the beam and give us a reasonable sail overnight but it stayed behind us.  Initially the wind increased and allowed a good sail but soon dropped, and after persevering for an hour or so, we gave up and on went the engine.

We have gone onto watches for the night but the night is warm and it is lovely and cosy in the cockpit enclosure. 

The only other boat around is Moonshadow so we are having a quiet passage – no Spanish fishing fleet yet.