Gibraltar to Cartagena - 11 - 15th Sept
Nimue
Mon 15 Sep 2008 19:24
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We didn't leave Marina Bay too early, as
we needed to fuel up, especially with diesel at only 78p per litre (we have
been paying well over this in Spain and Portugal). We took advantage
and filled up everything that would take fuel! Within half an hour of
leaving Gibralter, we were sailing in 20-25 knots of southwesterly wind (behind
us) in beautiful sunshine. In fact we sailed for the next 19 hours, albeit
in slightly less wind, but all the same it was fabulous, especially when we were
joined by dolphins and we also sighted pilot whales.
  Leaving the Rock and heading for
Europa Point
One of the many anchored ships
surrounding Gibraltar
As we sailed along the Costa Del Sol we
listened to the local English FM radio station, which was targetted at
the ex-pat community living in Spain and I must say we were both
in histerics as one of the programmes was about dog grooming!. I
didn't want to stop anywhere along this coast as I knew it was very
touristy and very expensive in marinas and we've since spoken to sailors who
have regretted going there at all.
As we wanted to get some miles under our belt,
we did our first night sail since crossing The Bay of Biscay, but this time it
was warm and was fairly relaxing, apart from trying to avoid a vessel
restricted in its ability to manouvre. The morning brought another day of
glorious sunshine, but not much wind. So after rounding Cabo
Gato into the Costa Blanca (White Coast) we decided after 170nm to
pull into Puerto de San Jose and anchored in a lovely bay next to the
small town. The mountain vista was beautiful and a very unspoilt area of
the coast. Early next morning we were woken up by Nimue being jolted by
the swell, due to the wind building from the north. This meant a quick
exit and sails up. As the wind was heading us, we had to tack out to sea
before we could make any distance up the coast, but again a great sail in 15-20
knots of wind.
   The anchorage at San
Jose
As there are not many suitable ports along this
part of the coast we found a nice anchorage in Peurto de Aguilas, just
about 100 metres from the beach. The sea here was crystal clear and we
made the most of the opportunity to go for a swim off the boat
and cool down. In fact we enjoyed a couple of nights at anchor in
Aguilas before heading round to Cartagena and it was interesting to
see the building work being carried by the Spaniards to convert
areas between the barren mountains into hotels or other dwelling
places. Since leaving Gibraltar we had not been ashore, so we spent a
couple of worthwhile and interesting days in Cartagena.
 Sailing up to Aguilas
  Anchored in Aguilas
  The 'dwellings' in the
mountains
  Moored up in
Cartagena
Club Nautico in background (with very nice swimming pool)
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