We've actually had a really good summer, despite the pandemic, being very lucky where we lived and being retired meant that we made the best of the year. That said we were desperate to go back to the boat as soon as we could. Trying to sell Carole's Mum's old bungalow had consistently stopped us from going through September and October. However at the beginning of November we grabbed a chance to fly out for a couple of weeks which proved really lucky as the country went into another lockdown a few days after we flew.
Another quiet day at the airport with only a few flights leaving Manchester but it made the journey uneventful and felt very Covid safe.
This was our first evening sunset - what a start to the trip!
As soon as we'd got ourselves sorted out on the boat, Carole managed to get a game of tennis in Quesada with Fran and friends which let me sneak off to the chandlers at Torrevieja and buy more rope. We spent the evening with the rope book out remembering how to splice mooring eyes- what joy! But we managed it.
Carole contacted Rachel and she sorted out a game of Padel with her and her friend Sammi. Great fun - why isn't this game more popular in the UK?
The weather became very settled and so we disappeared off to one of our favourite anchorages Tabarca. Water temperature about 22 degrees so just about OK for me to get in, Carole thought it was warm.... We messed about in the dinghy and on the paddle board finding a deep sea cave to explore. Fabulous water clarity as you can see.
Beautifully clear water
Checking the anchor
Into the cave
Love my electric outboard.
New webbed swimming gloves - speedy!
We had a hire car for the two weeks so were able to get up into the mountains for a walk. I get routes from a website called Costa Blanca walkers. The route I chose, Llomas de Silim and Barranco Selinas, was described as a little adventurous and it was! After a few Km of off path navigating - thank heaven for the GPS we dropped into a deep gorge and followed it back up into the mountains. Halfway along we came to a dam which was supposed to be a small scramble to get past - not the 40ft of via ferata we found. Deeper into the gorge the route description mentioned that bamboo can be a problem - typical English understatement! We kept to the route and got back to the car in one piece if a little scratched (more understatement!) However we loved it!!
Monte Negra
Off piste walking route
The scramble up the dam wall
Looking into the gorge
Fabulous rock formations
One of the rock tunnels
Bamboo was a problem - and unusually the stream actually had water, and mud, in it!
Just climbed out of the gorge
On our way back to car.
The route
We pottered about for a couple more days, walking to the beach, swimming, doing jobs and Carole squeezed two games of tennis in on one day - with Charles in the morning and Martin in the afternoon, both at the Montemar club. This meant that I could replace a leaking galley tap and fit a new toilet pump - result!
We just had time then to sneak off for another night at anchor, this time just up the coast at Almadrabha, more swimming and playing around.
Night swim.
Clear water
We were joined by Rachel and Martin in the morning for coffee and nearly finished the home made damson gin!
I see no ships!
Over the last few days we squeezed in a game of padel and some more tennis. I got to meet up with Neil who had just recovered from Covid, Shirley was still in hospital but thankfully on the mend. Then it was time to pack the boat up, put the covers on and head back to the airport which was even quieter than when we arrived.
And now home for two weeks in quarantine!
