Friday 11 July 2014

Almerimar To Cartagena Via Cabo De Gata . 3 - 11 July 2014.

CABO DE GATA.

       It was a clear day as we departed Almerimar on 3 July with Ginny at the wheel and we once again headed off east to cross the Bay Of Almeria towards Cabo De Gata. A following F4 wind picked up and provided us with a fun sail across the bay with rolling seas. Buildings soon gave way to a barren headland which is the enormous Nature Park Of Cabo De Gata. A very rugged area of natural beauty and far from the tourist 'hell holes' between Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca as we were soon to discover. After a lovely sail of 30nm, we headed into San Jose Bay and found a delightful safe anchorage at 1715hrs.
Ginny In Control Departing Almerimar.
Sailing Round Cabo De Gata.
Guy Happily Anchored In San Jose Bay.
SAN JOSE BAY ANCHORAGE.

      San Jose Bay proved to be a stunning anchorage where we enjoyed two days walking the hills, swimming, relaxing on the beach and generally enjoying being miles from anywhere. Not a building in sight. The water was crystal clear and the beaches lovely and clean occupied by day with naturists at the far end and the bikini brigade at the more accessible end of the bay. The scenery was rugged and quite stunning as can be seen on the pictures. Guy found it reminisent of Africa and expected to see wild herds roaming the flat lands behind the beach! We were to spend an idyllic two days here and did not want to leave, but needs must and we departed on 5th July in search of another anchorage. It is clearly going to remain as one of our favourite anchorages ever being very similar to Worbarrow Bay in Dorset but much drier and with lovely warm crystal clear waters.
Kisti Two In The Stunning San Jose Bay.
Guy Admiring San Jose Bay.
That Is Not His Shadow Below!
Ginny Swimming In The Bay.
Kisti Two From The Beach.
Anchor Chain In The Clear Waters Of San Jose Bay.
Departing San Jose Bay.
   CASTILLO SAN PEDRO ANCHORAGE.

     We motored gently along the stunning and rugged coastline investigating anchorages until we came to San Pedro Bay. It looked absolutely wonderful and with hardly any discussion, we decided to anchor in this bay and not continue as previously planned. The bay is only approachable by boat or a rugged path along the steep slopes above the coastline. There is an ancient ruined castle and a hippi/naturist community has moved in to the few deserted buildings of the abandoned village of San Pedro. A spring supplies them with water and solar panels and wind generators with power. Spanish tourists would be dropped off by day from a couple of Ribs doing a taxi service and the beach became a hive of colourful tents by night. We enjoyed a wonderful day here swimming and walking in what can only be described as an oasis that time has forgotten. Another glorious anchorage.
The Barren Gata National Park Coastline.
Approaching San Pedro Bay.
Castle Ruin On The Left.
Kisti Two In Castillo San Pedro Bay.
Ginny On The Path Out Of San Pedro With Cerro Negro Bay In The Background.
Corner Of Castillo San Pedro & Anchorage.
The Black Rock Along The Rugged Coastline.
GARRUCHA MARINA.

      Strong winds were forecast so Kisti Two had to leave San Pedro and head off towards Garrucha where we arrived at mid-day after 4 hrs of motoring the 20nm. We had hit the tourist scene again but Garrucha was pleasant with a long walkway along the seafront and provided us with shelter for the night and a peaceful sleep. We decided to continue on 7 July and prepared to depart only for Guy to get the mooring rope trapped in the prop while reversing out. We secured 6Kisti Two safely and then the marina staff came round to assist. The only solution was for Guy to go in and cut the rope clear - oooooopppsssss. There was no damage except a bit of loss of face! 

Guy Cutting The Rope From The Prop In Garrucha Marina.
MOUNT COPE BAY.

       We escaped Garrucha and Kisti Two headed on along the coastline again looking at likely anchoages until she arrived at Punta Padra where we dropped the anchor and enjoyed a delightful swim and lunch before continuing to motor on towards Aguilas. We had a quick look into the harbour but decided to motor on to look at possible anchorages near Mount Cope. We discovered another gorgeous spot in the Ensenada De La Fuenta. An enormous private motor boat was anchored in the bay and a couple of yachts. Another swim and tapas on the boat closed the day off nicely. The wind picked up overnight and for the first time since leaving Gibraltar, we awoke to a grey misty day! 

The Deserted Coastline Towards Aguilas.
Anchorages Along The Coastline.
Approaching Mount Cope Just Past Aguilas Harbour.
Grey Morning Anchored In Mount Cope Bay
At Ensenada De La Fuente.
CARTAGENA.

       The anchor was raised at 0900hrs on 8 July and Kisti Two motored off once again along the coastline on Ginny's 20m contour armed with map in hand! Tourist resorts started to appear as the coastline became more developed and the wind picked up off Mazarron so we put up the sails to enjoy an exhilarating F4/5 sail into the wind tacking our way along the spectacular rugged coast  to get around Cabo Tinoso. We found a wonderful anchorage tucked into barren rock which was already occupied by 2 yachts called Cala Cerrada so continued on to Cartagena arriving at 1830hrs after 35nm.

     Cartagena is a lovely town that is clearly trying to pick itself up after suffering so badly in the Spanish Civil War. It is still struggling but making gallant efforts to restore itself to former glories. We watched Germany thrash Brazil while eating Tapas and the following morning it was back to culture! Cartagena has had a muddled history and is an archeological treasure trove, most of it Roman. We explored the Roman Museum and were amazed by the recently discovered (1990) and renovated Roman Theatre. It has been very well preserved and presented and well worth a visit. We explored the Castle De La Conception which has been well restored giving us panoramic views of Cartagena, the harbour and 5 hills all with ancient forts. 

     We spent the day stocking up with supplies, gas bottles and drinks. We met up with Barry & Cath on Yarona who have Guy's dream boat, a HR43 and enjoyed a Tapas meal out with them in the town. Its the 11th July today and we once again move off hopefully for a couple of nights in anchorages.
Tourist Developments Start Appearing Again Towards Cartagena.
Calla Cerrada Off Cabo Tinoso.
A Glorious Small & Barren Anchorage.
Ginny In Roman Theatre Museum.
Guy Enjoying More Culture In The Roman Theatre With Ruined Catherdral in Background.
Life's A Stage For Ginny!
Does She Ever Stop Talking?
The Roman Theatre Of Ancient Carthago Nova.
Cartagena Harbour & Marinas
The Ancient Roman Amphitheatre That Became A Bull Ring.
It Was Damaged  During The Spanish Civil War.
Our Marina On The Left.
Kisti Two Behind Ginny In Marina
With Red Marine Rescue Boat And Cruise Ship Aida.
The Lovely Walk Along The Restored Town Walls.
Guy On A Good Night Out!
Guy Recovered With Criuse Ship Aida Docked For The Day.
Spot Ginny With Free Willy Whale Tail.
Ginny With Bronze Sculpture In Cartagena.
Cartagena War Memorial With Catherdral Ruins.
Spot Guy This Time.

    It has been a most enjoyable week anchoring away from all the tourist spots, swimming, walking, sailing, coastal hugging and ending up with a spot of culture. Now for Cosat Blanca - help!!!



Wednesday 2 July 2014

Marina Del Este & Almerimar Marina, June/July 2014


    HERRADURA BAY

       We enjoyed a final meal with Jane at the Marina Restaurant and after an unintentional swim from jumping off the gangplank (no names mentioned), we set sail from Benalmadena Marina on 26 June. It was a frustrating trip with the wind coming and going all day, but the coastal scenery was lovely and after 32 nm, arrived at Herradura Bay (Horseshoe Bay) where we were to stay anchored for 2 lovely nights. Kisti Two was the only yacht and we were able to swim, BBQ and explore the  beautiful cove. Guy moved the ensign across to the starboard side of the gantry where it picks up the wind far more effectively.
Malaga Coastline.
Ginny Enjoying A Swim In Herradura Bay (Horseshoe Bay).
Kisti Two Anchored In Herradura Bay.
Guy At Wheel Departing Herradura Bay.
Ensign Flying At Last.
MARINA DEL ESTE

     It was a short trip of only 2nm round to the very small and enchanting Marina Del Este where we crept in and moored off opposite the Marina Restaurants. Our bow was only a hop, step and a jump from the restaurant seats from where we could keep an eye on Kisti Two and the lovely clear water. This marina was an absolute gem of a place to discover and meet up with Linda & David Kemp whom we knew from working at Kemp Sails in UK. It was lovely to see them again looking so fit, young and well. We were treated royally and shared a wonderful and delicious Chinese Lunch in Almunicar. It was fun to be out and about in a car, quite a novelty. We enjoyed a couple of nights in the marina exploring the local area and an afternoon on the stoney beach.
Marina Del Este Beach.
Linda & David Kemp With Ginny
Enjoying A Drink In Marina Del Este.
Kisti Two In Marina Del Este.
David & Linda Kemp Admiring Kisti Two.
The Happy Couple!
Ginny On Kisti Two About To Hit The Night Life.
Morning In Marina Del Este
A Very Happy Ginny With The Port Entrance Bouy.
Captions In A Postcard To..........
The Delightful & Small Marina Del Este.
Marina Del Este Beach.
Ginny And Her Shirley Valentine Moment!
Where's Pedro?
ALMERIMAR MARINA

     We departed Marina Del Este on 30 June at 0930 hrs heading into the wind! We had not sailed at this angle for ages so it was great to get Kisti Two roaring along at 6+ knots but it was not to last and the wind died down at 1420 hrs so it was back to the iron genoa again. After 42 miles along the Costa Del Sol coastline where we viewed several Moorish forts and snow on the Nevada Mountains, we anchored in lovely clean water off Almerimar Bay in 5m of depth. There was a beautiful sunset once again as we enjoyed a swim in the 23C water in flat calm waters.
Morrish Castle & Snow On The Nevada Mountains.
A Lovely Coastline With Stunning Views.
Guy Asleep At The Wheel Again!
Just Beautiful Blue Sea & Sky.
A Well Earned Swim At Anchor
Ginny Enjoying The Sunset Off Almerimar Beach.
         We have found that of all the weather websites, predictwind.com appears to be the most accurate. The next morning, we awoke to thick fog and a heavy dew on Kisti Two. Strong winds were forecast over the next 2 days, so it was up anchor and a short trip into Almerimar Marina. This is an enormous marina with 1000 berths and a whole complex of restaurants, flats, bars, shops etc but all of it very run down, tired and in need of a revamp. We are not impressed with Almerimar Marina except for the price, €21 a night, Marina Del Este was €42 a night! Despite the cheap cost of wintering here, we would never do so or perhaps Lagos has spoilt us! but the standards are very far apart and atmospheres very different. It was a good safe port however while the winds blew strongly, F7+ for a couple of days. We will not be loitering for long. We hope to set off once again tomorrow, 3 July round Cabo de Gata onto the Costa Blanca. The Costa Del Sol has been interesting, it would have been more fun to explore the many anchorages but the Levante wind through the Gibraltar Strait causes strong winds as it acts a bit like a champagne bottle being opened so we have been a bit marina bound. The culture was good but time to move on again.
   
The Early Morning Fog Lifting To Reveal Our Neighbour.
Note The Water Temperature Of 23.2C!
Kisti Two In Almerimar Marina.
Almerimar Marina From The Entrance Looking North.
Almerimar Marina Looking South To The Entrance Tower.