Position: 28 04.74 S 071 08.79 W
At anchor Puerto Carrizal Bajo
Wind South F3 Gentle Breeze
Weather: Overcast, clearing later, mild
Days Run: 3 miles

Today would be the shortest sail I have had in quite a while but also one of the most enjoyable.  We weighed anchor a little before midday with a light wind just sufficient to fill the sails and tacked out of the rocky confines of Caleta Herradura. Martina’s obvious joy in tacking and sailing Sylph within the narrow confines of the bay rather than using the engine had me giggling with glee, how lucky can a man get! Once clear of the Caleta we ran square before the light breeze for two miles then gybed and sailed into an even smaller inlet, Puerto Carrizal Bajo. The small cove like our previous stop is also surrounded by craggy black rocks, at its head lies a white sand beach and on its southern shore a small settlement, a church spire standing proud of the surrounding houses. It was fun to sail to anchor; as we approached the centre of the cove we furled the jib, rounded up into the wind, let go the anchor in five meters of water then dropped the mainsail. I am still pinching myself that I have found someone who understands and shares my desire to sail as much as we can.

Once secure at anchor we had a late lunch (left over curry) then launched the dinghy and rowed ashore. We have spent an interesting afternoon exploring the village and some of the surrounding countryside, finishing up with a relaxing beer at a deserted restaurant where Martina struck up a conversation with the chef and waiter. With Martina’s excellent Spanish we learnt many things about the history of the village but perhaps more of this tomorrow.

All is well.

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