Back in to the fray!

Making my way leisurely up the Costa blanca, stopping in anchorages wherever. Lots of people seem to leave at crack of dawn, why I ask my self when I can mooch about , go for a swim and paddle board?? Anyway had some good sails and winds have been working.Was going to do a marina stop in Valencia, cheap as a small chip but they had no room at the inn. Jesus Christ  one little boat and didn’t want hay for the  donkey! Actually if hay is fuel and donkey is an engine ( oft referred to as that) then I did need hay. Nothing ever simple. Some turd in a catamaran was fannying about excessively which meant I had to loiter in the channel boats passing and moored on both sides . The petrol attendant commented on my Spanish  and I thought take a squizz at your shit English mate.. I remember him from before . I think he just likes to take the piss but in good humour. From there to Oropesa, been there before and love the place. Good price some great walks , a nudist beach and a normal steak and chips/ harder to find than one might imagine. The night before I thought I was getting one but it was bulls tail and much as I love it at home, this was grim grim grim, just tasted of bulls arse. 

I have come to the conclusion that apart from the novelty of eating Spanish on holidays, their cuisine is pretty shit. Lovely fresh fish fried to oblivion . Chopped up egg with potato ( Russian salad ) every where. Meatballs always average . Agreed I’m not talking fancy restaurants, but the unpretentious Spaniards eat this as standard. Sometimes you just need a change!!

From there to Tarragona. More good sailing , following sea , wind behind intended to motor for the last hour then the wind changed . 33 knots on the nose and the waves/ swell switched 180 degrees 3 hours beating in to this . Sky black, fortunately there was a light house in front of my intended spot and I needed it! Round the corner and was in. About 11 pm sea calm but no wind so what happens is the boat wallows on anchor and without a breeze oft turns across the swell even if it’s minimal it’s enough to cause a massive oscillation of rolling and banging. This is right opposite an oil supply harbour but in it’s favour, a rig was lit up like a Christmas tree and there was a firework party to match any Goodwood event. 

From there to villa nova il Getty? Anchorage by a nice little town. Had a visit from a bloke and his two 9 yr old daughters on paddle boards who wanted to look at the boat which was nice. Stayed here a couple of days no problem then big wind came and it was apparent I was dragging my hook! Three times I had to reset it post sunset and on the last occasion I noticed that the shackle where it joins the chain had snagged. I released it and it held as good as always. So little lesson learned.  Wasn’t the anchor , chain or stuff on sea bed just that it had snagged while turning on anchor in changeable conditions. Never do I take anchoring for granted! Time to head into a marina 10 miles up the coast.

 I’ve been here two days and will stay one more .😬 

Garaff.Coolest little village on side of hill. Sat at bar outside now . One shop called Wilson’s?? ( coconut in Casteaway?). 2 restaurants below I haven’t been to and my little marina.

Yesterday I visited Barcelona. Sagfredi Familar was amazing but couldn’t get in for two weeks.

So went to another two Gaudi houses. Found an old strip Club I went to on a stag 25 years ago. It’s still there! A testament to the quality of performance and establishment 🙈.

Today I went the opposite direction. To Sitges by train. I’ve heard a few say how nice it is there and true it’s very chilled and Greek like.

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Found this church above the village designed by Gaudi apparently though not definitely. I love his buildings , very imaginative .

Very ornate gate and roof wall on church.

That’s my admin done for another month! By next time I should have covered some miles.