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.

.

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.

On the move at last.

Dolphins in Torrevieja anchorage . Biggest one I’ve seen!

More wild life on the way to Tarbaca a herd(?) of tuna . Amazing and very big shadowed the boat for 5 minutes.

Sooz doing the tourist angel shot!

The Red Sparrows

Boats queuing behind me at Mar Menor waiting for bridge to lift , delayed by an ambulance so missed part of the airshow!Very busy and fun to anchor a short way off shore in the lagoon to watch proceedings.

Dodgy Johns lovely boat.

Not so bloody lovely when I have to tow him back to Torrevieja. Helped him repair it then started off again next day. Not before the Guardia Civil fascists kicked everyone off the anchorage for no reason!Delayed leaving Torrevieja before John turned up as was having generator repaired 800€ later it’s all done proved to be a mystery but final resolution was  grind the valve seats requiring removal of cylinder head so nothing easy but that was the penultimate option . Next was a bad one!

Calpe . Stopped here and went for a birthday steak pie which I was hankering for!

Dodgy. 🫣.

Now in Moraira on anchor very nice little town. Heading off tomorrow. Johns heading to Ibiza , me heading north. That’s about it for now.

 

Feels like home😳

Back in Torrevieja again! At anchor at the moment for a few days , then in to marina to leave Kat and join another boat I’m taking to Minorca with its new owner. 

A salt freighter manoeuvring in our anchorage! The regular spot on the other side- closer to the shore; has been raided by the Guardia Civil. They kicked people off. No one really knows why!

Been pretty busy. Dismantled the toilet pump and waiting for parts . Very basic facilities here at anchor now! 

Changed engine oil and filter. Re wired and replaced nav lights at front. Took ages to complete due to awkward position of deck hole and position. Changed generator oil and replaced impeller. Serviced one of the winches at the last anchorage! Repaired dingy, serviced carb on the outboard, which stopped working this morning. Ah the joys of the beach commute.

Not all work though. Met up with drunk fin again , not so drunk these days, as with job. Paddle boarding round the anchorage and to nearest shore for exercise, plus been swimming most days. Bit chilly but warmer than British waters, obs! Oh and one Sunday roast in the paddy pub!

From Aguadulce I had a great sail round to Cabo de Palos. 

That’s where the boat got damaged two years ago. Didn’t fancy a repeat so went to the other side of the lighthouse and a moored on a buoy for two days. So nice and had Spanish airforce trainers overhead and second sunset , two firebomber planes - or one twice came round to scoop up unfortunately they scooped on the town side.

Crystal sea, fish everywhere

( escapees from the fish farm) Honed my paddle boarding sea legs which went ok.

That brings me up to date here. Trip from the buoys was about 6 hours sailing . You forget how it was sailing in the summer, just beginning to get hints of it now. The weather has been so unsettled and unreliable, the locals are almost in shock but they’re not Brits! We know weather!

This lovely hound lived on the boat two down at Aguadulce, with a slightly strange but sound ex bullfighter. We did have to cut off a lock and release her when Pepe ( the owner) didn’t come back for two days. Coco was fine loads of food and water,at 17, I reckon she was savouring the peace.

Some interesting chats were had in Sweet Water.

One English neighbour had been in prison for drugs on his boat(75 yr old now) He had a lovely twin masted gaff rigged something or other. Spent some time with him and a younger Dutch bloke with a lovely 55 ft’er. First boat, only had it for a year and came down from Holland. Amazing! An 86 yr old German who lived in china for 30yrs and married a Chinese. Moved to Australia almost killed one of his daughters because of a fault in his Chinese apartment. Above his factory. Went to have a look round his boat which had been fire damaged recently and he came out with all this and tears and should he refurbish this boat or take the insurance and buy another.Bloody hell. With the intention of soloing to Oz or US. At this point sensible Bob appeared and extolled the virtues of dying on one’s 500 hectare farm on the Gold Coast rather than halfway across the pacific with your hand trapped in a winch with no knife handy ! I think he is a bit addled!

Forgot I saw this massive goat in Aguadulce up in the hills. Zoom in to midddle left! Amazing horns.

 

Ah luxury!

Moved from Motril up to Aguadulce. Hot showers , good power , 50 metres from dock side . What’s to complain about.

Motril was fine and good price , just not a lot going on. Very scenic with snow in background.

So waited for favourable winds but with Marina fever departure was delayed a few times. This is when it seems better to lounge about rather than take Kat out for a sail!

Decision was good as using just the furled genakka I was getting 8 kts at times . Following seas but over 4 meter waves with regular 2 meter ones and 30 kts of wind in Almería bay. It was a good return to the water . Only used engine for one hour total . No one to meet me on fuel jetty , so tied up, stayed there the night and moved to a 15 m prime spot😀. Met interesting English bloke , Jon on a 40 ft ketch and his neighbour , mad Spaniard with greyhound!

On the passage down

Several arduous walks up into the hills. This Totem pole was first days destination. Middle of nowhere!

Marina from radio masts . Kat is to the right and front of tower third along gap beside!

Very handy beach! First swim  in sea of 25’ yesterday, googled it and water temp is about 16 °. No news on fine. Not sure what I’m supposed to do about follow up hospital visit will look into it. Otherwise enjoying blue skies.

Been a busy month !

      Portrait of a woman! One of many.

Still no info on final fine to pay but have heard the maximum is €185000 so thats good news. My lawyer found a very useful person to write a report for me. He’s known to the authorities in Almeria . Very qualified master mariner. Used to work for the company who owns the ferry and knows it well . His report has been submitted with my statement so fingers crossed.

Boat has been out of the water, now back in . 40 yr old seacocks have been changed and won’t last half as long but at least now I can turn off incoming water from a relatively simple issue if it occurs.New anti foul. 

Changed main impeller. Removed mainsail for stitching  refitted it and new in boom back haul. Removed the wind vane steering at the back . Heavy , unsightly and unused numerous other little jobs completed but two big ones on hold until I know what the authorities are going to take off me.

                          Vermouth bar Malaga 

Jane visited Malaga so met her there and we trained up to Cordoba then Seville. 

Malaga was a pleasant surprise  and visited an extensive Piccasso collection there. The cathedral in Seville was stunning but the mosque/ cathedral in Cordoba is a favorite. 

A couple more days in Malaga then back to Motril where I decided that the annoying stomach ache I’d had for about 10 days should be investigated. So here I am in the hospital with pancreatitis. Obviously they think I’m an alcaholic but I explained that although there’s been a few drinks had with various people recently, my normal intake is very low. May be the bingeing has bought it on but easy to remedy when I’m out.

The check in and initial checks were unbelievable. X-rays, blood tests drip feeds, escorts and handovers at the relevant departments were smooth and all completed within 1 1/2 hrs of arriving. Last time I was in chichester hospital the patient wasn’t triaged for 5 hrs. I’ve got a two bed room and not sleeping too well but I think that’s common for hospitals and the Spanish do tend to shout at each other!.

Hopefully by the next blog I should have a resolution price for my fine but that’s not guaranteed!

 

       No explanation required but really good show.

Mostly made of wood.

Small baths in Seville!

Rum bodega in Motril started in ‘63’ good year!

And finally two more Picasso’s.

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 !!