Gibraltar -> Estepona

Wanderingdragon
Stephen & Anne
Mon 28 Apr 2008 23:58

36:24.900N 5:09.432W

 

Today we set sail again this time to Estepona, Spain. Our departure did not go quite to plan. Stephen had the fun of picking up our post and having a 15 minute wait while the Customs guy made a phone call! (not related to our post or his work). We needed to fill up with fuel and were pipped at the post by a large motor boat, so we had to wait for an hour before we could get to the fuel berth. Luckily we had not left our berth so we could wait in comfort. However this did mean that our “departure committee” (Karen & Richard from Pyxis and Mike from El Lobo) had rather a long wait to say goodbye to us. We even managed a cup of coffee while we waited!!

 

We did manage to fill up with cheap tax free fuel (57p / litre for diesel!). Maneuvering out from the fuel pontoon was interesting. As we backed out we didn’t actually hit the police boat waiting to fuel. Our thoughts were he couldn’t catch us as he had no fuel!

 

Once on our way we had a good motor (good job we filled up with cheap fuel in Gibraltar). We did have the excitement of passing a sunken ship that was being salvaged just off Europa Point, Gibraltar

 

We arrived in Estepona about 4pm (local time) and had to moor up at the waiting pontoon. Yoyo decided she wanted to see what dry land was like (it’s been a while since she’s been on Terra firma) She seemed to quite like it but eventually settled back on deck. Stephen meanwhile went off to sign us in. We had booked a berth here a few days ago. Stephen was informed that they don’t take bookings, but sure enough ours was (to the receptionist surprise) on the computer. This is one of the more expensive marinas we have stayed in on our travels – but we did get a welcome bottle of wine and free wifi.

 

This evening we met up with a friend, Dave, who has a holiday villa in this area. He very kindly flew out especially to deliver a bag of cat food for Koshka and Yoyo. They really do love him now J I’m sure that was his real reason for coming out here and the golf is a side issue. We then went out for a brilliant Italian meal with Dave.

 

 

Salvage vessels retrieving a sunken ship off Gibraltar

 

Europa Point, Gibraltar