Puerto Calero marina is much better than Marina Bay marina in Gibralta. Mooring is on a pontoon instead of bow (or stern depending on which way round you prefer) too. Hence no need for the dreaded paserelle (gang plank). The marina is quiet appart from a few party boats belonging to the Blue Water Rally and calm. The boat doesn't move, it feels as though we are on land, no waves slapping against the stern all night keeping me awake, I can sleep without ear ...

We left Gibraltar on the 28th of October. All the Blue water rally boats gathered off Europa point at 10am for the start of the rally, which was marked by a cannon firing.( See http://www.yachtrallies.co.uk for more pictures and news). The sea was very choppy and I was glad that I had taken stugeron. Once we got underway conditions became better and we had a downwind sail to Lanzarote. The wind was too light (10 to 15 knots most of the way) for us to go fast...

We left Rota on Friday 12th and sailed about 35 miles further south east. We sailed half way then the wind dropped and we motored.We passed cape Trafalgar (we saw no ships, galleons or otherwise), however the sea became very choppy due to shallow water and wind over tide, the boat was pounding through with waves coming over the bow and rolling over the coach roof.Paul very unwisely choose this time to visit the toilet.Unfortunately the toilet hatch doesn't c...

Chipiona As was feared the sea water wash had killed Alex's laptop, there was no sign of life at all after it had dried out. It was buried at sea between Mazagon and Chipiona. Alex gave a short speech to mark the occasion, then broke it in half and threw it overboard, so his secrets are at the bottom of the sea. Chipiona is a picturesque town with a nice marina much better than Mazagon, with a supermarket and shops fairly close by. Seville William a...

We left La Coruna today and sailed to Camarinas, a small fishing village just north of Finisterre. On the way we lost our flag staff and ensign from the back of the boat. The sea was calm and there was very little wind at the time and we were motoring. The ensign had survived big seas and force 6 to 7 winds in Biscay without any problem. We met a large pod of dolphins which stayed with the boat for about half an hour riding on the bow wave and swimming unde...