From Almerimar - near Almeria

There is some Westerly wind forecast for this weekend - hooray!  Too much motoring.....

Very glad to be away from Gib, though it was historically interesting.  We encountered our first surly Spaniards there - amongst the 9000 who work on the Rock.  It's interesting that it's so resented in Spain

 

It's fun crossing over to La Linea by bike - much quicker than by car, but you have to go into the line at the border with all the motor bikes, and it's a bit un-nerving having Harley Davidsons revving up behind you as you negotiate the cones!

 You go straight over the runway [when the lights are green....]. 
That's the Rock from La Linea.

- after all, both Ceuta and Gib have been hung on to for strategic and commerical reasons with little geographical justification so, pot... kettle?

Before we left, we went out for supper, on the recommendation of a neighbouring boat, to The Owners' Club - on the grounds of good food at sensible prices.  Our waiter had been to the Basil Fawlty charm school, slamming our plates down, trying to make us take a table we didn't want, speaking very quickly in strongly accented Spanish when he obviously understood us a little - it was so bad it was funny, which was a relief to two very nice young Spaniards on the next table, who apologised profusely for him and translated for us.  And the food was good!

Goodbye!

 

We're now in Almerimar marina, heading out to anchor tonight and hoping to make it round the Cabo de Gata tomorrow, as there is some SW wind forecast for the weekend.  The trip along this far along the Costa del Sol hasn't really been photo worthy - fortunately the high rises are dwarved by spectacular mountains when viewed from sea.

 

We anchored off Duquesa ["party central", surely, in the holiday brochures], Fuengirola and then Herradura - the latter being the most pleasant.  Had a late birthday supper ashore here - the skipper having completely forgotten the date.  He didn't even wonder why I had decorated our draft log with flowers, balloons & rockets! Never mind. 

 

 Happily, had lots of texts and emails and a fabulous birthday banner photo from four of our grandchildren, including Clara who is now home and much better.