| Current Position 36:27.34N 005:4.21W
Update We left Gibraltar this morning in glorious weather setting out for our first anchorage just north of Peurto de la Duquesa. It was ideal sailing stuff, just what I have come for. Warm days, blue skies and a great 12knt sailing wind from the west, so on our port beam (side). Watermark IV responded well pushing along at up to 8+knts.
We rounded Europa Point, the most southerly tip of the rock and headed north into Spanish waters, the courtesy Spanish Ensign was duly raised. The wind was a little variable in direction and did accelerate down the back side of the rock. Great sailing.
View of the Rock looking South West sailing away from Gibraltar.
There were some yellow aero buoys to avoid which were designed to keep boats out of the runway for approaching planes which we went round.
We made our sea miles very easily in the breeze and by 14:00hrs we had reach our anchorage and had moored up. Charlie has been desperate to go swimming and was ready to go before I'd even switched the engine off. However, after one foot in the water the enthusiasm disappeared instantly and he wouldn't go unless I would!!!!! Quick look at the Raymarine instruments, Hmmmmmmm, 17 degrees, I don't think so.......... that was the end of the first swim in the Med. Never mind, there is always another day.
A brave Charlie deciding that this was not for him just yet.
We sat for a while at anchor but found ourselves swinging around in 360 motions and was perhaps a little more wobbly then the pilot let on. When we looked up into the hills there was also a wind farm - why would you build a wind farm at this point, yes, because you get lots of wind. The hook (anchor) came up and we sailed gently into Estepona under Gib only doing 6knts.
Estepona marina kindly found us a berth and it was the first time that I have got a 4.5m boat into a 4m berth - breath in!!!....... It was also Cathy and Charlie's first go at mooring up "stern too" with a guest line being past for the bow line. I have to say that they all did very well and it was relatively stress free. This had always been a worry for Cathy having not done it before and not knowing what to expect.
Estepona is a lovely marina where all the buildings are bright blue and white making Gibraltar look a little like a shanty town. We plan to explore today, stay one more night and more on tomorrow - probably Benalmadena, wind and weather permitting. Just now we are being careful to keep the days easy to build Charlie's confidence on board under sail.
View across marina towards Marina Office.
Charlie's Update
We left gib and had a lovely sail. I tried swimming it was too cold for me. when we got there i went fishing and caught my biggest fish yet.
I went out in the evening and i played football then we came back and played pass the pigs and cards. I love it here
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