Paddling About

We’ve spent the last few days of day sailing around and Carole swimming, me paddling on the edge, one swim was enough for me at these water temperatures -14 degrees C..

Water warming up nicely

It's such a hard life

We also had another Padel lesson, great fun, especially as two Spanish ladies asked us for a game after the lesson - 2 hours of running about and then another run to get back in time for the Queen.

Padel courts are a combination of a tennis and squash court

Well, its nearly Easter!

Well, when I say the Queen it was a symphony orchestra and a rock band together with 4  “International Cantors”  doing all the Queen hits.  The Spanish are very enthusiastic clappers and, like the Welsh, they can all sing (unlike us English, especially me!). 

A great night - nearly three hours of top music - and loud enough for our ears to be ringing when we left.

the stars of the show (and a fan)

We’ve spent the last couple of days sorting the boat out ready to leave her when we return home to Witherslack.

Boat put to bed with it's summer cover on

Now back home for a while but looking forward to going sailing soon!  Flight booked to come back on 15th May!

A last evening walk before we leave

More Foot Work

The weather has settled down now, sunny and warm with a sea breeze forming most afternoons.

Took the camera for a swim

Couldn't get Dave to join me

We’ve managed to get out and about on the bikes after handing the hire car back in between days out sailing and also - eventually - worked out how to book a padel court at the municipal centre and have a good run about.

The hire car was so cheap we’ve now got another one - this time £29.00 for 10 days - just ridiculous prices at this time of year.

We’ve had an explore along the coast north of here - we’ve only been this way by boat before - it was good to see the towns and villages that we passed and we discovered some good anchorages for this summer too. 

This place reminded us of Ibiza

The Costa Blanca coastline

Part of the reason to go north was to go to a craft fair at Javea - Carole bought some earrings at a Christmas fair in Alicante two years ago but had just lost one - a chance comment in the local newspaper suggested the artisan would be in Javea on Sunday so we buzzed off to see - and Carole now has three identical earrings!

Another trip up the mast was needed to replace the Windex as well.  Got some good photos of the neighbours boats as well as our own - 15m to the top of the mast - great view. A while ago we bought some kit to let me to climb to the top of the mast without having to be winched up - Carole now just has to tail the safety rope to make sure I don’t fall, much easier for both of us.

Dave up the mast

We’ve had some great nights out with our boaty friends, as well as several impromptu bottles of wine sat in sunny cockpits.

The car has let us get a couple more walking days in, eventually climbing the famous Puig Campana.  Its 1410m (4625ft) high but fiercesomely steep in places.  The route was only 18km but according to the health app on the iPhone the climb was the equivalent of 258 flights of stairs!  

Puig Campana not far to go!

The notch in the peak was kicked out by the local Giant when his wife was ill and needed some more sunlight.  The chunk he kicked out landed in Benidorm bay and is now Benidorm island (its the same size as the missing bit) - so the locals say - I believe them.

The scenery is amazing - but hard walking

Top of Puig Campana

We didn't take this option

Steep enough

Had a very cold (and quick) swim in Cala Finestrat after that walk - Carole said it it’s good for the legs - yet to be convinced. She swims in water even colder than today - totally bonkers.

Going to see the Queen tomorrow and am looking forward to hearing the Spanish singing….