Monday 14^th April – Puerto Sherry - Barbate

36:11.039N 5:56.018W

Today we were up just before dawn for the run down to Barbate.  We slipped our berth at Puerto Sherry at 8am (local time) and headed out across the Bay of Cádiz; it was feeling cold in the morning air. 

As we cleared Cádiz the wind did what it was forecast to do and filled in from the NE.  With an eye on the tide and a levanter (easterly gale through the Straits of Gibraltar) forecast for tonight, we motor-sailed to keep up a good speed. 

We arrived at Cabo Trafalgar just right for a slackish tide and, as forecast, the wind eased, so we had a smooth passage around this very famous cape and had a toast to Nelson.  In the far distance we got our first view of the African coast.

We arrived at Barbate marina about an hour later, having shot the narrow path between the harbour wall and the massive tuna net (Ensenada de Barbate) that starts a few metres away, marked by a remarkably small cardinal.  We then turned left into the harbour where there was plenty of space for sorting out fenders and warps before tying onto the reception pontoon.  We were on our berth by around 3.30pm.

This evening I made an early dinner for us all and we had an early night.