Another long absence!

Hello readers.

Since Alicante last, there have been a few interesting shore activities. Not loads of sailing but after previous visit to Ibiza , I had to head back to Torrevieja as the price was right and the marina know me. Plus they had a space to leave the boat for a week or so. Others would not take reservations and were charging 130€\ night 🫪. I used that trip to log 24 hrs off shore out of Schengen waters. The requirement to avoid tax liability on boat, post Brexshit. 

Italy trip was next and the amazing wedding of Hannah and Henry ,Nicks second daughter and second one sold off in two years.  

What an auspicious event, planned to the n’th ° and refreshingly genuine.Venue was the grand fathers house atop a hill in Stresa on lake Maggiore. Party night before, lake side pool and bar.

 

That afternoon. Nick had planned a romantic Riva ride with Juliet.

 Exactly what those boats were designed for. I obviously put the clappers on that as Hugo(son) and I came along to to quaff their champagne. Funny,later on, the nuptial couple turned up on the same boat after pictures on the near island. Lots of pictures whole weekend!! 3 camera people , two drones ,DJ ,opera singer, saxophonist, band from UK. Nik naks on tables free bar and a great group of friends from the couple.

I may have disgraced my self but too embarrassing to elaborate. Was dropped at my hotel about 4 not before annoying the taxi driver, don’t remember why, probably a bit sensitive and made it into my hotel about 8. Then flight back to Alicante on Monday for me.

Next event was the total eclipse.Rob F had arranged to meet a group of sun chasers

( they’re off to Egypt for the big one next year)

I was the charter boat - paid! I took them round the corner to quiet anchorage, then out to sea for the main event. That really was impressive.

3 felt a bit sea sick bobbing about so had to motor a little bit , but it really was quite special and nice that the group were so excited about it.

No reason to stay on Ibiza now. It is a bit pricey but there is a very unique feeling to the place. Motor sailed to Majorca and found a good little anchorage in Palma bay.

Kraut next door to me thought I was a bit close. It would have been in a toilet cubicle but in deference to international relations I moved.

Just as well because at 5 am he dragged his anchor and came steaming past me before being dashed on the rocks🫢🫣. My trusty CQR held in the sand while I counted 7 boats floating around and holding station mid bay . Due to anchor slip or dangerous proximity.

I paddled ashore this morning and am staying here till Sunday. I found a reasonably shit  English restaurant that , according to the soused old prune imbibing her 3rd (?) beer at 10 am claimed has the best Sunday roast, I’m well over due for that treat.

That brings us up to date. Bobbing around now in the second tranch of wind. At least it’s daylight.

No signal bay Ibiza 😁

Just living on the sea.

My LOYAL readers have asked where my blog has gone. Truth is unless anything’s happening its like reading someone’s Christmas card round robin insert. As I know a few of you like such toss I’ll comply.

This is actually a very famous beach music venue which only last year closed the music down as instructed by local junta as with 60 other venues . This has destroyed the ethos and ambiance of these places for no apparent good reason , very sad it was the essence of Ibiza, not the sweaty bare chested tattooed E heads from up north in the mega clubs 

After Agua’ I needed to be back in Alicante for an annoyingly simple medical test and to meet someone. Winds precluded any passage even vaguely in the right direction so decided to hug the coast and make wey when possible. The first 24 hrs I made about 90 sea miles the journey by crow was about 45! Mostly under sail but making multiple tacks at night between shipping lanes and land - proper. 

The Last 5 hrs I motored , arriving at Garrucha famous for gypsum and red prawns both of which I sampled ; prawns on a dish, gypsom dust all over the boat.

Unlike most of these prawns they’re wild and fresh daily as the trench where they live is close enough off shore for the boats to leave and return in a day.

Usual activities resumed in Alicante but the start of firework festival is nigh. I wasn’t there for it but big processions and late fireworks every night for a week🫪

I sailed up the coast with John then met up with Matt the conspiracy theorist. Everything is tainted by them and the master plan- it gets very tedious! But he’s a sound bloke and lost his partner about 8 months ago. Strange Dom lost his about 8 weeks ago! Dom turned up in Ibiza and again a fun night was had with him and a group of his daughters friends who were lovely at Pikes nightclub in San Antonio.

Interesting because Wham recorded a famous vid there and the owner got intimate with Freddy Mercury at his 41st party held here. Pike was a prolific shagger but obviously visited the dark side every now and again and at some point caught HIV though not aids. Could it be that Fred caught the lurgy off this bloke . Who knows ; they’re both dead now.

Ibiza bay life is still fun. Great little island.

Manta rays and many dolphins spotted 7 miles along the coast . The rays are very rare for these parts!

My dinghy gave up the ghost. One of Doms friends capsized it the other day. Not her fault but engine upside down in water for second time meant we had to drain and change fuel. Working very well now. Then Dom and I were in it whilst it was deflating almost folding us in side. On inspection of seams several leaks were occurring. Had to bite the bullet and buy a new one. It’s tiny ! I call it the yoghurt pot . No great resemblance other than it’s small and almost round with similar streamlines!

So long as it gets me ashore and back with shopping and small passenger. No problem.

Had to pull in anchor this morning at 4 . Wind was very weak but 180° change in angle causes issues and did🫩

Not much else to report . Leaving this anchorage tomorrow and mooching round the coast .. No storms yet!

Rehibernation 😎

So another month has passed!I left Alicante on the 7th and arrived in Aguadulce 34 hrs later. I had a great sail and made 154 miles in the first 24hrs , which I think is my record! Some big winds from aft abeam and a following sea , so very happy. Been to this marina before and really like it so no rush as weather is proving to be unstable again. Doesn’t bode well for this season!

I made a brief visit to the uk which is a bit extravagant but caught up with a few people I haven’t seen for about 6 years which was great. Couldn’t face going down to chichester what with trains and legions of pikeys roaming the dystopic town centre .

Anyhow who needs chichester when you have gangs of klansmen roaming the streets of Alicante! Seen this all before in Cartagena Easter week, but still quite bizarre . Obviously not really a racist outfit but pretty worrying if you’re a black guy turning up in the middle of it. Hours of drum banging and Spanish cornets!
 

This is a troglodyte home in Guadix. Very interesting . Been around since Roman times . Warrens of rooms dug out of rock with little extensions built on front. Apparently stays at 22° summer and winter.

Another fine cathedral at Guadix

Almeria the nearest city to the boat is famous for tomatoes, its motor circuit and being the place Sergio ‘spaghetti’ Leone made his famous Clint westerns. Went with my boat guest and dog , having outstayed their welcome. I left them in the jail house cell.

It was a pretty rundown attraction but the other areas used for filming are zoos and theme park- to be avoided.

Little chilli is like Ed’s was , not a water dog so swam her out to a reasonable distance then submerged , she quite enjoyed it I think.

 Met up with dodgy John and a couple of others , I met before.

 Yesterday I made scones for the first time on board. Not self-raising flour so had to buy whole milk and turn it to buttermilk to use my bicarbonate of soda. Cream was the next issue doesn’t behave or taste like ours when whipped but passes for use on scones.

That’s all for now.

At last!

Didn’t make it last year due to authorities and fines , but presently in Granada which is nearest place to Sierra Nevada and skiing!! Only here for two days but snow mountains and sun is great , Reactivated calf muscle tear so have to see how that is tomorrow but conditions great . Not extensive area but great trip for short visit and could be done multiple times in a season. Came with french guy from Alicante. We were going to the Pyrenees but distance and dubious forecast precluded that.

Otherwise nothing to report. This is the usual hibernation arousal routine. Previously on this trip I’ve been some where and had to get on not quite so now.

Hibernation over.

Well I’ve been dormant for almost 4 months. No great point to itemising my daily activities, but the new season is starting up and I need to make some plans. I think this may be the year I sell the boat which will be interesting!

So what has been going on?

A few friends came to visit. Jane and I did a road trip to the inner coastal area , this was Guadalest a med-evil hill town. Did the prerequisite Benidorm trip, yes that is coastal and has its own attraction to some.Will came over for 9 days so did some more visits to hill towns and food shops selling blood sausages!

 

Roman villa and bath complex near Alicante.

The Waterboys came to Alicante in November and played an out door gig about 200 metres from the boat. Actually paid to go and hear them. They were excellent and the culmination of a seasons concerts in the area.

Spent a few days at Nigel’s on a golf course in las Colinas for Christmas. Met his new dog and had an incident with the toxic catapillars requiring a visit to the vets with two hounds.

No blog can be complete with out a food shot. Went out for Christmas dinner in Alicante with  Nige and co but this is was my boat cooked edition. Turkey is abundant in Spain all year apparently.

More dog sitting for Ali at La Manga. Had to be here to renew the visa but got beaten back 10 miles from Cartagena so have ended up in a marina on the Mar de Menor.The price is right facilities are good and they’ve given me over two weeks free including tax, water and electricity!!! Don’t know why but no complaints.

                                 Chilli.

Went for a visit to Múrcia city. Lovely place . Got kicked out of Cathedral and casino as dogs not permitted. But the alleys and tapas bars were atmospheric. 

Fish sculpture in river Segura.

And a slightly dubious clothes shop in a backstreet.

Yesterdays top activity was a visit to Cabo de Palos (where the boat got damaged a couple of years back) . There was a carnival in which a friend of a friend’s daughter was taking part. Didn’t take too many photos for decencies sake but it’s a family affair with about 7 different dance troops. Very colourful!

I’ve been experimenting with facial hair styles  Don’t think this one works either.

Ensign Spanker!

Lots of anchoring

                          Ibiza old town .

So since arriving in Majorca I’ve been mooching between different anchorages , mostly with beach cafes and restaurants near by some average, some good. 

Have had to reposition a few times due to high winds or anchor in the weed which means it doesn’t hold so well. Also the posidonia which is its name is highly protected due to its benefits to the water so I always comply with that . 

Crossed over from Majorca to Ibiza in convoy with Dodgy which was a good 50 mile sail to Portinax and no diesel 😀

Fell out with dodgy John. The constant bombardment of bullshit got to me in the end. The catalyst being his declaration that ex police and paedophiles don’t get a hard time in prison. Strange subject agreed, but he didn’t seem to be able to go out ever!! with out bringing up prison where he was 35 years ago for 6 years. Equally controversial was his opinion on what we should do to make prisoners lives better- knob. So now I’m waiting for marina prices to drop so I can book in for a few months, don’t want to be caught on anchor again in crazy unstable weather!

Not much else happening. Rob F came over to Ibiza for a couple of days, good to meet up.

Until I get tied alongside not much to do on the boat and it looks like Alicante will be the destination.

Funny I stayed in these apartments in Calle llonga over 40 yrs ago! Amazing that they’re still there and a lot nicer than the picture looks.

TAF!