Tuesday 4^th March – Alcoutim

37:28.247N 7:28.235W

Over night the anchor chain was very noisy as it took hours to straighten itself out following the change of tide; I’m not sure why it was so noisy – I haven’t noticed it particularly before.  After the turn of tide at 0200 the stronger ebb tide seemed to resolve the problem, allowing some sleep!

Once up, we had a busy day – after breakfast we both read, then I cleaned our bedroom and bathroom, and Richard did a bit of maintenance on rear bathroom that we have been using as our shower room. 

Mid afternoon a berth alongside one of the pontoons at Alcoutim became free and meant that we could come alongside tonight – some creature comforts might be good as it is due to be a bit windier tomorrow and the overnight temperatures are due to fall. 

John (from Seven Hills) was great – coming out to tell us the berth was becoming free and helping us in; they had managed to get alongside a little earlier. 

Once alongside, I stripped our bed and washed the bedding – I put it out at around 5pm (expecting to have to finish it tomorrow) and, to my amazement, it was dry by 6pm and ready to go back on the bed.

We also managed to catch up with Mike from El Lobo on the pontoon; we first saw El Lobo back in Ile d’Yeu back in August – it was great to compare notes.

Once sorted ashore, it was time for some fishing – this time from the dinghy.  Richard gave me some final instructions on the dinghy engine, and armed with the handheld VHF, I went up river and drifted down on the tide (quite rapidly).  Still no luck with the fish but I managed to get the engine to start first time for the return J

This evening we have had a quiet night in.  Richard is delighted as we once again have internet access.