| A few days seem to have past since the last entry but I really don't know where the time seems to go. You wake about 10am, get the school work done some days but not all, it's lunch, sort a few bits and bobs, it's evening, have a swim about 7.00pm oh, it's dinner time about 9.00pm , play some cards or other games and wow, that's the day gone and then go to bed about 1.00am
We are still in the marina at Almerimar, not least because it's really very cheap and a good stopping point for a few days to get out and explore a little. We are getting conscious that we need to get Charlie out and about otherwise there is a risk we'll miss Spain other than the coastline and the marina's!!!!!
The Marina Almerimar is a purpose built yachting marina. What I love about spanish marina's are the Capitania buildings, so much better that you'll find on the Hamble River or the south coast UK.
Entrance to Almerimar Marina and the Capitania's building where you do all the checking in process.
The marina has a number of basin's surrounded by plenty of apartments with many people living on board, including many Brits. Hmmm, looks like another option for the winter if coming home proves too much for us. Facilities are great and an all important supermarket is only just round the corner so we've been cooking much more on board now. All basic salads and seafood - fantastic and so cheap compared to the UK.
Sunset from the bow of Watermark IV looking west towards Malaga and the Sierra Nevada's (230kms away). Beautiful!!!!!
Charlie still fishes whenever he can. At the end of the pontoon we have a fishing bait shop. Guess where he spends much of his day.........I think he has already blown 4 weeks allowance in this one shop.
"Just get on with the photo.......... I'm having some of these fish later. Just keep smiling for the adults and they'll go away soon!!!!!"
There are a few other things that Charlie does do other than fish and schoolwork. On occasions, the Wi-Fi signals are not great but Charlie has found a way of boasting the signals to help send the blog - see below.......
Charlie helping to boast the Wi-Fi signals.
His other activity, that he picked up in Gibraltar, is Pool. So where ever we find a table he's straight in.
Watermark IV's boys at the Pool table (For info, Marky was getting yet another beating by Charlie).
Of course, we swim when we can. The water is a little warmer here, probably about 20 degrees so we are able to stay in the water a bit longer. Charlie just loves it and spends hours simply playing. After an hour, it's time for me to get out. Cathy has only gone in as far as her ankles but I'm sure as we get further up the coast line she may get to her knees.
Late evening on the current beach. Still very stoney but we are assured that the sandy beaches kick in once we get around Caba Gata, SE tip of Spain (Only 25nm away).
If not in the water yet, looks like the white bits are coming out slowly..............
New Friends Our neighbours for the last few days have been Mark and Amanda from New Zealand. Yes, they have sailed half way around the world having started in 2004. Infact their half way point is just 4 nm from Gibraltar and expect their circumnavigation to take about about 10/11 years. They were great company and had lots of tips etc which I'm always grateful for - Thanks Guys. We spent the early part of Saturday night with them onboard for drinks and can only wish them fair winds for the 2nd half of their journey.
They also have a blog and would recommend having a look. It's a fantastic site with loads of information for people like me. It can be found at www.yachtbalvenie.blogspot.com
What's Next For the next few days we have hired a car and are off exploring a little more of Spain. It can't be all boat, boat, boat. The city of Almeria is tomorrow, the only european desert and "Mini Hollywood" is Tuesday and we'll probably move on in the later part of this week. That will be the end of Costa Del Sol and "Hello" Costa Blanca. | 
