Day 79 - Cadiz

Silk Sheets
Ben Shute & Fiona Kennelly
Sat 11 Oct 2008 22:39

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

 

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