More dramas!

Jeff Koons- the three graces.

Now in Motril on the hard. Time to anti foul and change some sea cocks . Had plans to do other stuff but had a bit of an issue leaving Almeria on the way here which financially precludes anything other than essential work!

7.45; dark, calm weather leaving marina exit into harbour fairway I could sea a ferry coming in at a distance which would be slowing down to manoeuvre so I headed across to other side. No problem and safe distance . The ferry thought otherwise. Long story short. A complaint has been filed €12000 to release my boat as a deposit and as yet an unspecified fine ! Several other factors make me feel I’m being used as a scapegoat and not speaking Spanish I have to get a legal to deal with the maritime law aspects . This is going to cost a lot at best but it’s what’s happened and obviously my insurance for legal services are saying not covered. No surprise there so I’ll probably dispute that and require lawyer input for that as well. Best not to think about it too much and get the boat ship shape.

Otherwise. 

David has been over. Visited by a friend at the marina and another friend visiting next month.

Otherwise David and I travelled up to Alhambra which was amazing then a drive into the mountains which was striking. Tapas here are served automatically with a

beer or wine and consist of meat in sauce with frites or fish and frites. So cheap! Stayed in hotel for a few days so lovely hot showers and proper breakfasts. I’ll probably have to move into a lesser establishment for a few days as not allowed to stay on boat for more than a week very annoyingly. Met an English couple with Ed’s size dog who are digital nomad bloggers . New breed but nice people. Otherwise just mooching around and awaiting descision on my financial destiny.

Did visit thd local sugar house factory museum which was very interesting and cause of massive 18C deforestation. Roll on Monday!

M

Alhambra 

             Mountains Sierra Nevada national park.

                             Local fish dish !!

Heading to Motril for maintenance.

After the Algeria excursion .I settled into Club de Regattas in Alicante. Great little marina, friendly club, two big hills to walk up and right price.

I’ve met two blokes one a Swede the other a Frenchman- very interesting guy who sometimes brought me a croissant to eat with morning coffees. The Swede drove his boat from Scandi through the canals at Hamburg to the Med near Marseilles.Quite a lot of diesel but still an achievement.

Christmas was pretty low key by choice did my usual attempt at boat roast turkey. Pretty successful I think.

I forgot I had a small chunk in the fridge which I discovered on the way to Almeria. Decided against consumption despite my use by date nonchalance. 16 days is pushing my line in the sand for poultry!

New year I went for a meal with French guy , his Ukrainian wife . An Equadorian and his Ukrainian wife and daughter  in a very civilised steak restaurant in Alicante. Last year I was at sea !

Intention at Motril is to take the boat out of the water. Antifoul, change some very old seacocks and quite a few other things. The place comes highly recommended. They speaky ingles and I haven’t been there before so fingers crossed. It is about 200 miles south west of Alicante so with the winds wrong but low I’ve trundled along with no real events. Did see a sword fish jump three times close to the boat. Progress was painfully slow with out wind assistance but it was good to be heading somewhere . Marinas make me a bit soft and squidgy after a time ,not useful. After 17 hrs decided to make anchor at 3am  just past Cartagena, Cabo Tlnoso , just below the fort and guns at Mazarron a favourite of mine.

What a great spot. Not recommend by one boater on a web site I use, as two blokes were having it off on the deserted beach when he was there😵‍💫 no such entertainment for me. The catapult I bought the other day to fire hazel nuts at the drunk Fin in Torrevieja would have come in handy though! 

Pretty rolley during the night but needed the rest so stayed the next day then set off for Almeria. 50 miles from Motril. That’s another 80 sea miles along rocky coast . Had some wind for a while but far too much engine use. Swell was ok , bit of sea fog off Cabo de gato - cape cat!? Then across the bay to Almeria harbour . Not being familiar with the place it’s quite a complicated entry with lots of lights and manoeuvring at 6 am so dark and no point calling for assistance. No one there , plan was to tie up on the fuel pontoon, shouldn’t have to pay and no issues with driving into other berthed boats. Plan worked, so slept for about an hour before bloke turned up and I could fuel up😃.

I came to this place about 15 yrs ago with motorbike on the local circuit , don’t recognize anything must have been at other end of town.

Really like the place . Quite a few Arabs around as Algerian ferries leave from here . Went for a Moroccan kebab last night- why won’t I learn? - they are shit . Mayonnaise, pink cream chilli sauce, he tried to put cheese and sweet corn in it and the meat was ok don’t know what type. I told him I wanted it hot so he put the whole wrap under the grill as normal . ITS GOT carrot and lettuce in!! I got a fork and deconstructed it . Very despondent, I’m not getting another kebab until a Turk or Greek does it in London with greasy lamb and mixed salad with proper chilli sauce.I’m salivating here! I noted there are a lot of Kurds driving kebab shops in the uk . They might be Turkish Kurds but just say no , they don’t know how to make a proper English kebab.

Went up the fort atop the hill here today . I thought Alicante’s was great but this I think is better.

                 

 Water channels and palm trees . Free!How they finance these renovations is beyond me, though the sign does mention EU so at least my tax £ is no longer paying for it . Wow a Brexit benefit! If you look at the sign which mentions about 4.5 million it also says and 49 cents .

 What did that pay for 😂😂 such responsible accounting , the workmanship looks great and within a reasonable time. 

Let’s not refer to Victory minus its masts or the M25 or the Thames wobbly bridge!

That’s more or less up to date . Hopefully leave for Motril on Monday. 

One last thing el cable Inglés. 

A steel structure designed by an Englishman , in the Eiffel style for a Scotch mining company .To unload ore from trains straight into boats holds, now a promenade ,amazing .Ceased  working in 73 .Preserved for posterity and renovated, again at what expense but why not? When I asked about it some one said it was made by Eiffel but Google appears to think not.

View from the cable Inglés , that’s the Kat second from right in the right corner.