| Current Position 36:35.47N 004:30.44W
Estepona We spent a day on the boat in Estepona which proved to be a perfect blue sky day up until lunchtime. We were on deck with the binimi (provides sun shade on deck) open reading and doing some school work when the temperature suddenly dropped, a wind filled in from the E/NE and the most amazing fog came down on us. That was the end of the blue sky and sunshine with a chilly breeze. The fog got so thick at times that we couldn't see the other side of the marina. Thankfully we weren't out at sea in that, although the radar/GPS/chartplotter is now well proven from the trip down.
Apparently, this wind is called the Levante (according to Imray's Mediterranean Weather Handbook for Sailors). It gets its name from the Latin Levare, which means to rise, levante coming from the direction of the rising sun...... It's usually moderate/fresh, mild, very humid and associated with overcast and rainy skies. We are in its strongest area just now as the Straits of Gibraltar creates a funnelling and accelerating affect.
Charlie's schoolwork was fresh in from Mr Webster by email which has now been completed and checked by Headmaster Marky. Hmmm, must read a few pages ahead of Charlie and sound all knowing........
Journey to Benalmadena Cathy and I woke very early on Friday morning and decided to get straight off for our next stop. We slipped the lines at the marina and were gone by 07:30hrs (That's very early for us nowadays....) The day was still very overcast but no fog - the sailors worst nightmare. We motored out, full sails up but the wind was directly on the nose and only 8knts true - we had ~40nm to do today. Looked like a beat all the way, still, we were here for the sailing.
Charlie popped his head out of his bunk about an hour later complaining of the noise!!! Progress was OK, pushing along at 5.5knts but about 20 degrees off the course. We had a few tacks to take us back in shore which Charlie helped in. Late morning we left Marbella ~6nm off our port side. There were dark clouds and a mist over it and did not look very exciting from the sea. Anyhow, we'd not planned to put in there. Shame for all the holiday makers who are probably wishing they were sunning it back in the UK.
The journey had lots of fishing vessels to avoid - why is it that fishing vessels always seem to aim straight at you with their trawling nets out. I'm convinced it is a sport for them.
At ~12:30hrs, the wind just died completely and we found ourselves with 10nm to go so the last hour or so was a motor. The water was just so flat and the air so still.
We arrived at Benalmadena, topped up the fuel tank, checked in with the normal paperwork requirements and moored up.
A new place to go exploring but hoping to meet Howard Barker's brother - Bruce, who has lived here for some 40yrs.
Expecting to spent 3/4 nights here so that Charlie can have a day on a beach and we can get a day in Malaga.
Cathy's Entry Well we are getting into a bit of a routine now........go to bed late, get up late and do very little during the day..perfect. At last my man has started to relax and enjoy this adventure..........Mark may take a bit longer !!!!!!!!
Charlie is loving everything about everything. He is like a kid in a permanent sweet shop. Its great to give him some freedom to do things like go to the shop ..a very basic thing but not something I would let him do in the UK. Everywhere he goes he manages to find friends or engaged someone in conversation. Yesterday he held 'court' with two 'Jordie' men about the joys of fishing and when they started talking to him about golf he held his own with a conversation that convinced them that he knew what he was talking about. Mark and I were sitting on the back of the boat creased up listening. I must say that Charlie's fish are getting bigger and he is now at the point that he doesn't want to catch anything bigger because he is scared his rod may snap.
As you can see from the pictures, I have a long way to go to match Marks tan. It was such a shame when I noticed his shoulders peeling this morning!!!!!hee hee.
It is great that we are receiving daily emails from all our friends and family saying that they are following and enjoying our blog . Recent requests are that I update it with topics such as shopping /food and gossip as regular weather updates do not appeal to everyone. Well I haven't been shopping apart from the fresh food stuff plus buying lots of tomatoes and thanks goes to Mary for emailing me some much needed tomato recipes. We have eaten out a bit too much but i'm sorry to say no gossip.....Well , I can report that Mark has still got an '8 pack' but he has promised me a '6 pack' for Christmas..a little way to go but once we start swimming we will all be getting a lot fitter but as you can see from this picture Mark is looking a lot more of an athlete than he did in February.
I am happy to say that I have received my first 'well done' from Captain Marky for the way that we moored up to day. If fact Charlie got one as well. My heart is always in my mouth when the boat is going into a mooring , its pretty scary stuff and no room for error but today I brushed the dust off my deck shoes and sprung into action. Even the 'sailor' who caught our lines gave us a little clap. Benalmadena looks fantastic from where we are moored. Now off to explore our home for the next few days.
Gallery
The Skipper with little to do other than a "Photo Shoot" when there is no wind......
Now that's flat and misty.
Entering Puerto de Benalmadena.
Charlie practicing his rope work. For some reason he was asking me how to make a Hangman's Noose.. (Better go easy on the schoolwork for the next few days!!)
Relaxing after an 8hr sail.....the usual way. Hmmmmmm | 
