On our own - Lagos to Gibraltar

Now the scary stuff really starts, we are on our own. First stop was Villamoura, 28 miles along the coast. Just enough for us for starters. We fashioned on passage plan on how Will and Tom did theirs as we were now accustomed to it. It was a pleasant trip but not without minor incident......well, you wouldn't expect anything more would you. The wind had died on us and we decided to take in the jib ( the big flappy white thing at the front ), but it would only come in so far then stick. I hung of the front faffing around with it for a while when I happened to look around and could not see the motoring cone ( black upside down plastic triangle you must display when motor sailing ). " there it is behind the sail, I can see it" shouts Susan. I looked up to see that the halyard ( rope ) that it was attached to had become wound into the jib as we had taken it in and was jammed solid. Problem solved, unfurl jib, extricate m. cone halyard and take down, furl ( wrap ) jib and job sorted...crisis over. Then, as he arrived at the upmarket reception pontoon at Villamoura Susan gracefully alighted the boat to tie her up and two of her mooring lines unattached themselves, as if by magic, from the boat. Oh bliss !!

Diary entry - ARGHH-goodness knows what I had done, or didn't do

Never mind, we got moored up and even if they remeber us it doesn't matter cos we won't be going back. We did not like it. A rip off at 48euros a night, wifi that had failed its security clearance, naff security and very false IMHO ( in my humble opinion ). The gates open automatically so when you press the button you stand back for about 30 secs while they open. They then stay open for about another two minutes after you've gone out, time for an army of tea leafs to wander in.

Early getaway next morning to get to Isla de Canella. No, we hadn't heard of it either ! Had a good motor sail of 57 miles. As we were approaching there were pot markers as far as the eye could see. It was doing a slalom through them, then just to add a bit of interest, the fishing fleet were on their way back to harbour, all racing each other to get in, with poor old Curly in amongst it all. Needless to say skippers stress levels went up a tad. Not to worry, we got in and allocated a berth, well more like a slot. "Blinking 'eck they don't expect me to get in there do they". It was tight, but I was very pleased with the parking. A local came down to check his boat next to us, but not a mark. Its quite a nice place, with a traditional spanish fishing village on one side of the harbour and a holiday type village on the other, but I wouldn't like to stay very long.

We got up at 0600 to get away for a long haul across to Rota on the north side of The Bay of Cadiz. I had a fun 10 minutes of sign language with the marinero ( marina assistant ) trying to get my deposit back for the loo key. Whats your sign language for loo ? As we left somebody told the fishing fleet and they all decided to come out as well, as the night shift were coming back in, cue stress !! We had a fantastic trip of 70 miles across to Rota, during which Susan nodded off frequently. Rota is a very nice traditional spanish town, but it has a huge american naval base right next door. Some off the radio chat was interesting as you approach as the american ships warned merchant ships to keep away. " What are your intentions" and You WILL turn to port and give us one mile clearance" spring to mind. Its a decent marina, reasonable price and also handy to visit Cadiz over the bay ( 4 euros on the ferry ) and Seville on the bus. We did both. Cadiz we loved. Very atmospheric and intesting, Seville we didn't. If you go there do not do the open top bus trip round the city. V. expensive and not worth it. There are only about 4 stops to get off and one of those is a kids water park. The inner city is better and can be explored on foot. We stoccked up at the supermarket which had taken us two days to find in readiness for the next trip to Barbate. We are a bit worried about Curly. Our bilges are emptying every 30 minutes but we do not know where the water is getting in !! 46 miles to Barbate and just as was approaching the reception berth some idiots in a rowing boat came charging towards us causing me to change my approach, which was further confused by the hooley blowing across the harbour. Grrr, it was going soo well. Still, we got in and it seemed a nice peaceful place. Spain were playing in the world cup so there was obviously a bit of high spirits but nothing out of order. Then at 2200hrs what we later found out was an outdoor disco on the beach started. It was like we were there on the dance floor it was so loud. It went on until 0700 the next day, honestly. Gordon Bennet is was purgatory !!!! This is the same town where apparently the local custom is to make effigies of politicians and burn them on the beach !! We left at 0830hrs, somewhat jaded. Outside Barbate there is a very large tunny net strung out which you have to be careful to avoid. I was a bit wary of this but it was actually quite well marked. We had brekky at sea, fried pork loin and onion sarnies....awesome ! Next stop Gibraltar 41 miles away. We sighted a turtle as we entered the Straits. Going through the Straits for the first time in a sailing boat was excellent. The tide was against us for the first hour then carried us through after that. There were lots of big boys ( ships ) about and we used the AIS to identify them. Also listening to the Straits radio traffic was very educational. As you enter Gibraltar bay you monitor Channel 12 and try to be aware of which ships might be moving in your vicinity. We had pre-booked into Marina Bay as it is often full. This lies right next to the runway of the airport. We moored stern to here for the first time but without too much fuss-boring eh, and we had arrived, another few steps towards Greece.