31st July Almeria enroute to Cartagena
Sealion
Richard Martin
Fri 1 Aug 2008 09:13
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This is a strecth of about 80/90miles without ports
big enough to accommodate us (other than one hopes in an emergency) However once
around Caba de Gata it is clear there are many anchorages to hopefully spend the
night in shelter. So the plan is to get to Cartagena with two overnight stops at
anchor.
Yesterday we did about 30 miles around Cabo de Gata
(we have now gone from Costas del Sol into Costa Blanca) into a small bay called
Puerto Genoves. A nice sandy bay with about 5 metres depth. On anchoring the
wind picked up significantly, 20 knots, until late into the evening - at least
it gave confidence that the anchor would hold before going to bed. Having said
that I set the anchor alarm with minimal tolerance 0.1miles and of course in the
middle of the night the wind swung from SW to E and the change was enough
to set the alarm off. Well at least it works.
We actually sailed some of the way with a broad
reach at about 5 knots - Alison enjoyed this.
At anchor we had a swim and snorkle - water crystal
clear down to the sand. Had a good look at hull - all seems OK but a little
dissappointed that the flakey bits that I spent ages preparing and painting on
the keel, in the winter, have come off.
Picture - me on stern sailing and Cabo de
Gata.
Clearly lots of concern re Algerians entering Spain
- this morning a ship has spotted a rubber boat with 8 abaord. We have had
a number of patrol boats look at us (Alison is of course suspicious) and plenty
of radio traffic from Nato warships
patrolling.,
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