We pulled up our anchor
Thursday 9th October at 9:51AM and headed off to Puerto America in Cadiz,
a short hop across the way. 36:32.45N 6:17.06W
Cadiz is a very
old and historic town, predominately a university
city. The anchorages had just about run out for us on
our journey down to the Med so we bit the bullet and went in to the dodgiest
marina we could find for a couple of days. Besides, the weather had turned and
the wind was predicted on the nose for the next week.
After having traveled
for so long with Den and Sadie we were now on our own once again as there was
not a marina in Cadiz
that could house their yacht.. We cruised into the marina, registered, fueled
up and showered then went into the town for a look around. It was a very pretty
place with plenty of bars and café’s lining the streets.
The next day we were on
a mission to get an internet connection so we tracked around the industrial
port trying to log on every few hundred yards or so, funnily enough most of the
places we did try to log on were small pub’s but there was not a lot of
wireless activity. That was until we made it to the bar at the end of the quay.
It was a dodgy looking little run down place just by the marina office where
there were never more that a dozen people inside. Fi and I walked in and
ordered some drinks and asked for some help with the internet. No luck for
wireless but in true Spanish fashion and hospitality a man in the bar gave me
his mobile phone and blue toothed me into it so I could send a couple of
email’s. What more can I say, one thing lead to another and before we knew it
we stumbled out of the place at about 3 AM. A decent 12 or 13 hours later of
course.
The owner of the place
was a legend and before long Fi and I we pouring our own drink’s. I am not
sure who attracts it whether it is Fi or myself or a combination but it seems
that where ever we go we always seem to end up having massive nights in
strange and wonderful places.
Well I am sure everyone can
relate to the fact that when you wake up in the morning and you know you had a
fantastic time of sorts vaguely remembering what you got up to the night before.
It must have been good however when you have to walk past the place you had
the great time on the way to the shower, it is a different story. It is almost
like a walk of shame, so in true style Fi and I hung our heads for the first
few passes until we thought we better not be rude and go in and say hi. Upon
entry we were greeted with smiles only to be served up another round of drinks
from the local security guard this time. Do not ask why he was serving,
especially considering he was in a uniform and carrying a side arm. I guess it
was because he drank so fast. One thing lead to another and it was a repeat all
over again.
While we were safely
moored up a huge front came through and almost ripped the marina to bit’s. Later
we found out that the same storm actually did rip the marina in Gibraltar apart,
not to mention it washed up several yachts on to the beach and two huge ships
that broke apart in the bay
of Gibraltar.
Once the weather was
over we made a run for it. Literally we just packed up and left with out a
trace, I hope, because when the local security guards and the owner of the pub
come knocking on the side of your boat at 2 AM to go out for a few more you
know you have gotten yourself in way to deep. How I love Spain, I know
of no other civilized place that such a thing could happen.
Special comments by
Fiona: Was I glad to leave
this place!! From the photo’s you will see that we enjoyed ourselves, but our
time was spent in the marina bar with the locals. Not part of our plan believe
me. I’ve said this before about the Spainish that they are extremely welcoming
and hospitable and this place was no exception. Juany, the bar owner,
literally filled our glasses up non stop. Even when I refused yet another “top
up” it was as though I’d insulted his act of generosity. The reason I say I was
glad to leave this place is that I don’t think my body could handle any more
partying! We are supposed to be sailing and making our way down south
afterall! But I guess we had no choice and weren’t going any-where due to the
forecasted storms.
The storms that hit Cadiz and the rest of the
South were the worst I’ve ever experienced. I was thankful that we were tucked
up in a marina and not out in it. I do wonder how we and our boat would cope
with such strong winds? We recorded 50 knots on our gauge howling through the
marina. We were later to find out that an entire marina in Gibraltor, (which
was to be our next destination) was wiped out from winds reaching 84 knots.
Day 79
Destination – Cadiz
Traveling Direction –
South
Wind Direction – West
Swell – Moderate 2.0
mtrs
Average Speed – 3.4
Knots
Top Speed – 6.9 Knots
Through the water
Total distance – 3.52
Nautical Miles
Travel Time – 1.01 Hours
Temperature – 23 degrees
Crew
- Fiona not over the rolly polly sleep from the westerly swell
Missing Work – Not Yet
Expenses – Mooring
€62.3, Diesel €15.4, Provisions and Entertainment I have no idea. About €120
Next Destination – Possibly Barbate
