skippers log contd

21 August 2010
After the howling winds of yesterday evening we were becalmed overnight. Motored into SInes harbour about 1100 and all the chaps swam ashore. Scaled the castle which overlooks the harbour.  Evening went to old town - good food and booze for €15 per head.  Staggered back to old tub close to midnight.
22 August 2010
Slow start to another how beautiful day. Bodies appear on deck about 0900 after excesses of last night.  Another swim ashore before breakfast of porridge and fruit by Fay.  Left port about 1100 and raised sale with gentle north westerly breeze. Heading for Cabo de Sao Vicente.
24 August 2010
Running before a stiffening westerly breeze under full sail and a very hot wind.  Land fall close to Cadiz early in the morning and through straighs of Gibraltar about 1400.  Strange and very choppy sea and howled across Bay of Gibraltar under Genoa alone. Dodged a large amount of shipping and followed by dolphins.  Parked up in Ocean Village Marina lare evening under the famous rock.
25 August 2010
Sight seeing in Gibraltar.  Rather like Truro in the tropics!
26 August 2010
Fill up with 500ltrs fuel at 62p per litre (like it used to be in UK before vat etc).
Leave 1100 and head up the coast of Spain.  Very hot day.
27 August 2010
Another very hot day.  On engine all day - no wind.  Anchored boat to go diving in bay.  Good to get a dive in and cool down.
28 August 2010
Wind on the nose and very lumpy.  Changed course to Cartagena.  Left about 2200 after meal in the town.
29 August 2010
Engine suddenly stopped 0200.  Dan and I changed the fuel filters and got engine going again 0400.  Motor sailed with a NEN force 2-3 during the day.
31 August 2010
Alison arrives today - yippee.
Arrived Barcelona 0600 and docked Port Vell.  Boat arrived on time, safe and sound.  Went to meet Alison at airport 1330.

Thanks to the whole crew for making the trip most enjoyable.  Hope you all enjoyed the experience and maybe we will all sail together again sometime.