Left Chipiona with a decent wind blowing directly from behind so we pulled out most of the genoa and ran straight offshore until we could clear large areas of rocks that extend about a mile and a half offshore. Lots of wrecks marked on the charts so caution needed. A large mark was built on the rocks – the first one was destroyed in storms.
The wind was blowing strongly but the sun was shining and the water had a milky blue colour that sparkled as the waves broke. Once past the rocks we put up the main sail with two reefs in it and turned east to sail parallel to the coast at about 5.5knts, occasionally 6.5 in the bigger gusts. The wind was forecast to decrease as the day went on but it didn’t, keeping up 15-20knts of breeze all day, pushing us along really well. The wind was cold despite the sun and we spent some of the time keeping watch from inside the wheelhouse.
As you can see from the photo Carole took, I really have done away with black work socks!
As we approached Cadiz, we had to dodge out of the way of a couple of ships in the main shipping channel to the harbour before arriving at Peurto de America.
The wind is now pinning us to the pontoon and the fenders are getting a good squishing, but safe and sound in the harbour and having our traditional arrival feast of tomato salad and beer – weird I know.
Peurto America, Cadiz’s yacht harbour, is situated right on the point of the spit of land Cadiz is built on. Bit of an ugly commercial harbour really but only about 15 minute walk away from the old part of Cadiz which is a great city. The marina itself is fine just the surroundings. The whole area is full of history but the city is quite spectacular. We’ve booked in for a couple of days to have a nosey around before setting off again.
Great day, now shattered from the wind and the sun. Tea bag situation has reached critical. Now sat in a square in the middle of Cadiz with free wifi - sun still shining!
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