VALENCIA!!!

Well, it seems we spoke too soon about getting THE rough passage of the week out of the way...

Despite the forecasted light SE'ly, an early morning thunderstorm dumped a load of angry looking clouds over the whole coast, and when we slipped lines at 8am we headed out into another choppy sea from the NE, although thankfully not as bad as the first day...

Still, boat speed struggled above 6kts, and 30 miles of constant barraging from the spray over the bow necessitated rinsing all of the cushions and decks before we sat down to another alfresco lunch.

Still, we've made it to Valencia, checking into the marina on the North side left over from the 33rd Americas Cup!

Whilst the girls soaked up some sun and took 1001 photos, Rob and I went to try and find the conspicuous looking catamaran we eyeballed as we sailed into harbour. Aiming to walk around the basin, we walked on the remnants from the F1 track and looked around the massive branded warehouses that housed the cup teams (all of which are now empty and in poor condition), and the whole place feels like a ghost town...

Eventually, we did find what we were looking for; the 100ft Alinghi cat from the cup, just sitting in a fenced off area (with a small Oli shaped gap in the fence...) of the port with an old 12m AC boat and a load of old dinghys!! It is massive. Huge. The photo shows a selfie with my head easily fitting through one of the rudder pivot holes!!

After we blagged a water taxi home, we went for a swim in the sea and hit the seafront for some more seafood, and to laugh at Ella wrestling with her lobster!

Good times!

Javea to Gandia

He wind was again on the nose, so we motored out with the intention of seeing if we could do Valencia in one hit. Despite the flat conditions, with such little breeze our eta was after 8pm, so we decided to cut short the day and head to Gandia.

Once in the marina, we were greeted with the best yacht club yet, with a pool, terrace for drinks and decent showers.  Plus at €50 it was half the cost of Alicante and significantly  less than the previous other two.

We managed to get completely carried away at the supermarket, buying enlighten to competed restock the boat, but also necessitating the theft if a shopping trolley (don't worry mum, we took it back later). Proudly flying the Brits on tour flag, we dragged our fully laden trolley down the high street and past the bars on the front to the marina!

Once again we were please to have the paserelle on board, which has quickly earned its place in boating essentials! Nice choice old man!

Lucy made a slap up carbonara, and we enjoyed another night of girls v boys shit head, and some interesting forfeits for loosing...

Oli

Calpe and onto Javea

We departed the lovely refuge we darted into (who's name escapes me) after a leisurely breakfast on deck Monday morning, and motored for lunch in Calpe.  Sarah went to the meet some friends, and the rest of us enjoyed an chilled lunch, drinks and bit of a snooze.

After eventually relocating Sarah, we sailed in light downwind conditions to Javea, which was lovely, and enjoyed a nice seafood meal out.

Shit head is the card game of choice in the evenings, although the standard of the girls team does leave a lot to be desired....

Oli

Baptism of Fire!

Planning to meet up with one of Sarah's friends in Calpe meant a longer than idea first day, but the forecast of 20-25kts NW'ly was quickly poo-pooed by the new skipper, given the benign conditions in the marina.

The fact that other boats were hoisting reefed canvas in the harbour also didn't deter us, and even the fact that all of the other boats sailing we're pointing south and that we were the only yacht heading north didn't put us off...

We motored out of the harbour at midday, and the sea quickly became rather angry, and before long we had 20kts on the nose, and 2m standing waves... The coastguard description of moderate to rough seas proved accurate, although thankfully the spray from every wave being scooped over the bow was warm, and we all quickly dried in the burning sunshine.

After 2 hours we were all suffering, including the so-called skipper who was the first (and only...) to review his breakfast after going down below to investigate new contingency pans!

We decided to duck into a little harbour after 20 miles, and whilst the relief from the seas was appreciated, the ensuing confusion of trying to work out where the mariner (?) wanted us to berth with his little English and our non-existent Spanish was interesting!!

Our relief also proved to be short lived, after we realised that all of the washing, cushions and towels drying on the guard rails after being rinsed from the passage, had blown into the harbour in the now 32kts breeze... Thankfully all were recovered with the exception of Ellas pink top, which a local is doubtlessly now sporting after fishing it out of the marina after our departure!

We also tried the BBQ on the back, which was every bit as impressive as we Houghto it would be!

Hoping for more holiday-like conditions going forward...

Oli

Safe arrival of the new team!

Slightly belated update from the weekend!!

The fozzies, Russ and Daren all had a fairly early departure Saturday, preceded by an abs challenge session (which will likely be the last physical exercise to be undertaken on echo until Lesley next returns...), amd followed by a mad boat-prep session in 30*+ changing echo from delivery mode to holiday mode and preparing her for the arrival of the boss next week!

It was quickly evident through the large stocks of kidney beers and dried food remaining, that it hadn't been too much of a rough job moving her here so far...!

Rob and the girls arrived at the boat mid afternoon in the worlds most lairy taxi, and we enjoyed sundowners on deck before heading into Alicante for dinner and drinks.

After an entertaining dinner and watching a local festival, we retired to the boat and decided gin should now be referred to on board as 'Robs ruin'...!

Oli

Torrevieja to Alicante

The last day and we departed after a special croissant breakfast. This spurred us on to complete the ab challenge. We motored along the coast to find a bay to anchor in just west of San Paulo. Most of us met the swim to the buoy challenge. A great spread of cheeses and meats in the Spanish sunshine leading to a few siestas. The southerly wind then kicked in enhancing the final sail for the week. We arrived at alicante marina €90!!! And lousy facilities but right in the centre of the action and a free spanish rock concert planned for later. Several rum punches to recharge the batteries and off we went to discover what alicante has to offer.
We await the arrival of Oli tonight who will be joined by Rob and the girls tomorrow.
It's been a great adventure so far but sadly this is my last contribution to the blog. I'm sure the Needham gang will keep you posted.
Andy out!

The Long Leg to Torrevieja

Thursday we had one of our longest passages of the week, 40 miles from Cartagena to Torrevieja. Daren was up bright and early (despite today being the official rest day drom his abs challenge) to source essential supplies via some creative sign language.

We left our difficult overnight berth via some precisely perfect pivoting around our port periphery, and set off on our route in light airs. Due to lack of breeze we were forced to motor for the first half of the passage, until Lesley threw a tactical tantrum and we elected to raise canvas. While progress was slow, the direction and strength were just enough to complete the rest of the passage under sail.

In addition to rounding a point littered with shipwrecks, our route took us past Mar Manor, a vast inland lagoon separated from the sea by a 12 mile sand bar packed with hotels and holiday properties. As we progressed, the relatively empty and mountainous coast that had been standard across most of the south gradually gave way to a smoother landscape and an almost constant chain of civilisation and tourism along the coastline.

Lunch consisted of a fantastic gourmet salad so satisfying that most of the crew immediately felt the need for a siesta, and remained so for most of the remaining leg. As the breeze died towards the end of the trip, everyone resurfaced for some intense man overboard practice (fortunately not involving a real man overboard) which proved to be so authentic we accidentally triggered our man overboard alarm and spent some time trying to find out how to turn it off again! To top off the experience, we even landed our first tuna of the week! Take that Colin!

We found a berth at Torrevieja yacht club which proved to be fantastic - very classy facilities including a pool, and agreed among the crew to be our best location so far. We found a great fish restaurant called El Pescadore which easily took the top spot of this week's eateries and is highly recommended for anyone else coming this way!

Mazarron to Cartagena

Dawn breaks and the echo fitness regime commences. We were the only guests of the RYC and awoke to blue skies and fresh breeze. Spurred on by Daren ' s Facebook challenge most of us climbed to the heights of the lookout tower to view the quieter more picturesque Spanish holiday playa. After descending to the beach we swam out to the famous sandstone rock before finishing with the abs challenge on the beach. You should see Daren's abs!!

We set sail with the full canvas hoisted as we passed the marina entrance and began a great 5 hour beat in our best breeze so far. Having re calibrated the log and speed accurately, we achieved our new top speed of 8 knots. All bodies on the rail as saloon kit flew around below. As we approached our destination we were forced to tack to avoid Panamanian tankers and Spanish naval vessels before negotiating a narrow harbour entrance that then opens to a large basin. More yacht club!  After a cool down from the 30 deg heat we wander the carthagenian streets and discover numerous artheological sites before settling for what is transpiring to be a great tapas bar.

Mazarron

Definitely a town with two faces. We moored at the yacht club which transpired to be the more appealing part of the town with picturesque harbours and beaches leading to unspoilt blue bays. The more commercial harbour accomodating the larger yachts and a museum focused around salted fish production is separated from us by yet another small hill with a statue of Jesus looking down - some of us ventured to the summit. This harbour is edged by the more multi cultural cafes suiting the expats, less appealing to the Echo yacht crew.

Garrucha to Mazarron

We had a great evening. First Daren ' s auntie and uncle who own a villa locally in Mojaka join us for tapas on the boat. They suggest a small fisherman's pension restaurant which served us fresh fish and meats with no frills beautifully cooked for 7 euros a head.
In the morning we motor further north to Mazarron where we follow the almanac advice and tale a berth on the yacht club which is fairly shallow and small but nice rather than the commercial port. We walk to the old port and town. Very quiet through the town we find the commercial centre port does take yachts. Its beer o'clock.

Monday - Garrucha and Daren ' s place

After a graceful start we sailed and motored along the rocky spanish coast.
Impressive rocky coastline with rolling hills.  Occasional towns of whitewashed buildings. As garrucha approaches daren is glued to the binoculars spotting the family home. Last here 12 years ago now a large town with new marina. Beer time with tapas of course.

Sunday - Another day our first bay

After a gentle start, we set off to explore Almeria. En route we said a sad farewell to Colin who reluctantly got into his taxi. He was sure Fiona would have been happy to let him stay!

Meandering around the narrow streets of the old town, we found the old spanish cathedral and the moorish fortress on the hill reminding us of times before the reconquestia. We left the harbour for San Jose, the almanac described a small fishing harbour, so we rang ahead in our best spanish to secure a berth. We motor sailed until the wind kicked in, after which we set off on a beam reach for Morocco until Russ remembered hus mum's strict instructions to avoid North Africa and we returned to Spanish shores.

Unnerved by the Gps indication that the harbour depth was not much more than a metre, we discovered a picturesque sandy bottomed bay next to the marina in which to anchor in along with six other yachts. We bbqed our spanish sausage as the sun went down, but not before Darren had set off for a refreshing 500m swim to the shore and scaled the hill near the bay (not to be defeated, Lesley and Andy followed shortly). Views were amazing.

Almerimar to Almeria

After a great tuna feast washed down with a fine rioja followed by more Terry 's brandy we elected to have a gentle start. The trip to Almeria is only 24 miles and we have a nice 15 kts sw so should be perfect.
Almerimar is a larger place than first thought worth good facilities. We walk to the chandlers and buy a 12 mm shackle for the kedge anchor.
Its Terry Heather and Colin's last sail but perfect conditions. A broad reach in wall to wall sunshine with music and tapas on deck. What could be nicer! !
We leave the polythene behind as we approach Almeria a large port with a great sailing club and yacht club called Club de Mar. We tie up and clean the boat ready for a crew change.
The club is hosting the Snipe nationals and they are launching under an AP. 
Terry and Heather wave reluctant farewelland Colin and I find a great supermarket to replenish supplies. We cook fresh squid then prepare a meal for the new arrivals of peel and beef steaks with new potatoes. By 9.00 Lesley,  Tom,  Matt, Darren and Russ are all aboard catching up with the news. 

Colin - This is what a tuna looks like

Costa del polythene

Now there is good news and bad news. First it's Colin Davis's birthday- happy birthday Colin!  Sadly he dragged a line around the Bay of Biscay for 1000 miles but didn't catch a thing. The good news is that Colin Rainback caught the only Tuna in the Mediterranean because he knew which colour lure they like. Blue on Fridays. So its tuna steaks tonight! !
Did you know that the world's biggest greenhouse is in the Costa del Sol?  Miles of white polythene greenhouse cover the coast around Almiramar. The biggest producer of salad for the EU. And the soil is an artificial mix of sand and manure. Britain is its largest customer but the supermarkets deny it.
Anyway I detract from the rest of the 45 mile journey from Marina del Este to Almerimar which was beautiful with several tiers of green mountains in front of snow clad giants lurking in the haze. No more Benalmadena condos.
10 degrees hotter today 38 degrees! !! and 18 kts of breeze but sadly on the nose.
Last night's berth was 60 euros the most so far but it was special so no complaints. But tonight in Almiramar just 34 euros and last week low season 13 euros! ! No wonder all the Brits overwinter here. By the way Kev your ship was here last year for one night on Oct 10th with previous owner.
Met an interesting liveaboard chap who has a 40 year old steel and timber 40 ft ketch with interior like a classic narrow boat. Works 5 weeks on 5 off as an oil prospector dragging a 5 Sq km sensor around with a 40 ft twin 600hp rib which looks 15 km under ground for anything useful even though we can't extract it yet!
Time for a fishy tea. Last day for some tomorrow as we change crew at Almeria.

Classe Del Sol

Determined to find a classy Costa del Sol we set sail for Marina Del Este 40 miles east of malaga. We sunbath and fish (unsuccessfully again! ) along the coast as the wind slowly builds and we shake out the headsail. Passing Torremelinos (Google fat pink people) we watch the planes landing in malaga by the minute.
We sunbath and enjoy salami and cheese salad lunch But soon the coast looks more Greek and after a hour passage we prepare to enter Marina Del Este which turns out to be a private secluded marina top dollar but really classy and not a grockle in sight. We pick up a great berth and decide to cook on board so prepare the gin and tonics which ran out rather quickly so resort to rum punch. Heather tames the local barman for free ice. We fire up the Cobb bbq and grill the pork steaks bought last night with ratatouille and garlic potatoes. The free wine from the marina doesn't compare to the local rioja which completes the evening along with bbqed pineapple. Night night xx