LILY'S LOG

We spend one evening in the weird harbor of Benalmadena

Finaly we are off again, being stuck so long in Almerimar was getting on our moral. Happy dolfins cheer us up as we go along our daily chores.

The rudder story. Since we have Lily we were tortured by rudder groaning: a thumping and vibrating when turning the wheel. We had the complete rudder taken apart twice. First im Palma with temporary success and now again in Almeria. Now we had the bearing of the skeg refited and are holding our thumbs that [...]

And out she goes for a wash and paint in Almerimar boat yard. Anodes and rudder to be checked, as well as through-hull holes drilled for the air-con. By the way, what was life like before we had AC? Caves and oars. Now doesn’t Lily look beautiful even out of the water?

Lots a good, bad and bader movies were a made in this here desert. Don’t you go tinking this is the Far West now, as it ain’t. This be the only desert in the ol’ continental Europe and as said ulteriorly, the great Clint Eastwood ‘imself blessed these rocky lands with his squint. Now ain’t [...]

Festival in village of Fondon in the Sierra Nevada in Andalusia. Custom dictates that all travellers must stop for a cerveza accompanied by tapas, so we obliged.

White village of Ohanes clinging to the mountain making Laura’s hair stand on ends. Temperature much more mild at 30 degrees celsius, versus 38 down in Almerimar.

Escaped the oppressive dry heat and wind to the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, visiting little town of Laujar de Andarax

Where Europes Winter fruit and vegetables come from: spread out as far as the eye can see, looking as if it were fields of snow, are greenhouses made of plastic sheets. Under the pounding sun and the lashing of the hot wind peppered with sand it carries from either the southern Spanish deserts of Tabernas, [...]

Almerias moorish castle Alcazaba (AD995) dominates over the once rich and powerful town which prospered so with trade of salt, silk and cotton under the Caliphate of Cordoba. Rapid decline followed in 1489 upon its ‘colonisation’ as one local put it, by the Catholic Monarchs, Isabel and Ferdinand.

The old town of Almeria was celebrating the festival of the Virgin of the Sea entailing lots of drinking, loud music, dressing up and holding a spanish fan as far as we could make out.

Skipping stones after windy day on the Costa del sol.

Kicking a…ss wing on wing at between 8 and over 10 knots speed over ground. The clouds all went away and after a man-over-board manoeuver, Rods hat was back on board. Oof!

Early departure, long day ahead- 12 hours of sailing, to avoid furious storm coming our way this evening. All marinas are full until Almerimar.

We climb the fort of Aguilas after a short sail with Gennaker. Wonderful young spanish have renovated the stronghold to a spectacular experiance.

Back in Cartagena, just in front of the sail-through Burger King

After 70 miles sailing we reach the Mar Menor ducking under the local bridge. Wonderfull sunset over this huge lagoon just north of Cartagena on the Costa Blanca.

We climb the rock of Calpe offering spectacular views of uncontrolled development.

We arrive at Puerto de Calpe

Half a dozen dolphins came to greet us making a pleasant crossing most enchanting.

It is wing on wing for the crossing to the spanish mainland to town of Calpe. A bit rocky with the waves but Rod’s seat proves comfortable.

Lovely soft sandy beach after hard day at work making the wooden seat at the bow.

Rod at it again north of Formentera off of isla Esplamador

Ibiza has no place for us, so off we go to Formentera.

Sailing with genaker down east coast of Ibiza. Lovely morning.

Spent the night in a lovely cove

Sailing west, hard on sw 20kt wind, Ibiza shows up on the horizon.

Up and early we leave the beautiful but noisy cove just under the light house of the south east tip of Mallorca. Light winds accompany us to Ibiza.

Anchored in chalky yellow cliffs of Portal Nous a few hours south of palma. Disco boom boom blasted out all night from the shore, but the basil plant and Rods birthday flowers survived beautifully.