Mar Menor back to Almerimar

Leaving the Mar Menor

We were sad to leave the Mar Menor and knew that we might not visit this place again for a very long time, however we felt we really used our time well. Our anchorage just off La Isletta on the La Manga side, proved to be very comfortable and the hospitality of the little marina is second to none.

The day began early, well early compared to most days, and we got the 8am lifting bridge then motored along the coast in fickle winds.
Once around Cabo de Palos the winds proved more favourable, so we set the genoa and for the most part enjoyed a nice sail, not setting any records, but always nice not to have the engine on.
It was just after we passed Cape Tinoso that things got a little lively. Now capes are notorious places, and often accelerate winds to one, two or even three forces higher than normal. For the most part in benign conditions, they can be approached close in, with caution. On the day in question the wind suddenly accelerated from about 7 knots to over 20, and swung 120 degrees, leaving our headsail backed and wondering what hit us. With the staysail it is not as simple as pulling it through, so we furled it away and turned the engine on. Not a huge deal as our destination in Mazzaron bay was just around the corner.

The water at Mazzaron was so crystal clear it was fabulous for swimming.

After leaving Mazzaron we set sail to Cape Cope, however due to the wind direction we were unable to anchor off Cala Bardinas and had to settle for the rather less interesting side. Never mind, it was only a night stop.

The following morning we left the anchorage early and headed in the direction of San Jose, near Cabo de Gata. The sea had a good deal of swell and we had a go at flying the genoa, but it was never going to work. Ian radioed up and we knew what he was going to suggest, time to play with the cruising chute! It took us a while to rig and launch, and we were more than happy to find that we could sail it up to 160 degrees off the wind. It also greatly reduced the roll, and for the next six hours we could not have been happier. In the end the wind died and rather than have the sail flog, we snuffed it in the sock and turned on the engine. What a fantastic sail, without a doubt the best of the season thus far.

During our sail we ran the watermaker, what we didn't do though was open the sink seacock. The bilge alarm alterted us to something amiss and sure enough when we lifted the floorboards, water was sloshing around, and salt water at that. After a frantic check of all the through-hull fittings we discovered our senior moment, and using the bilge pumps and a bucket, eventually got all the water out. Lessons learned!

As the wind by now had swung round and with a large swell coming from the East, we pressed on and finally anchored early evening in the lee of Cabo de Gata just off the beach opposite Almadraba, famous for the huge salt pans.

We did go ashore, but frankly not a lot to see. After a few days we upped anchor at 4am and set a course for Almerimar. We arrived some 6 hours later having motored on flat calm seas, and via the VHF got permission to go straight onto the berth we had used for our winter season... Result!
We called back into Almerimar to collect our new sails, have the solar panel frame moved and modified to include some sun shades, put some anti-chafe protection on the running backstays, and pick up some spare parts for our Duogen. We also changed the Duogen drive shaft for an upgraded more durable version, and the local sailmaker is making a modification to our bimini. 

Soon it will be time to move on again. This time to Gibraltar to meet Phill, which we are looking forward to as it could be a good few years before we catch up in person again.

On the move

Leaving Almerimar

The new season has begun!

Whilst we are in range you can monitor our whereabouts more or less real time using the site called Vessel Finder. For those with a tablet or phone, you should be able to download the app. Just search for Aztec Dream, and if we are in range and our instruments on, you will be able to track us. Very Big Brother!

Our internet dongle won't allow large file uploads so this will be a little out of date. 

We left Almerimar after a final clean, thanks Phill..

Phill helping with the chores

In the good company of Nautilus, with Phill on board, we left Almerimar in a fine mist and headed for a small anchorage just around the corner of Cabo de Gata, south of San Jose.

Lynne bringing up the fenders leaving Almerimar

Captain Phill takes us out

Of course the wind played fickle and we ended up motoring most of the way. 

Phill trying his hand with the new lure, no bites though

Still it was great to be back out on the water in brilliant sunshine and calm seas, with the occasional sighting of a dolphin or two in the distance. Our route took us across Almeria bay, so for the most part we were too far offshore to define buildings and landmarks and it was a little hazy for a while.

Given the benign conditions we opted to motor reasonably close to the headland and took some pictures of the contrasting white limestone encapsulated in the dark volcanic rock. A sight those on land are not privy to.

Cabo de Gata and white limestone folded into the rock

Having gone from almost no wind to a building gale, our well sheltered cove was free from swell and although noisey with the now high winds, proved remarkably comfortable. 

During an attempt to silence a flapping halyard at the mast, Steve noticed the the Mainsail halyard was slack above the clutch on the mast. This was not how it should be at all. What was worrying was that this halyard holds up the mainsail, and it had clearly become detached somehow.

Our options were limited, and having exhausted many scenarios it appeared the best plan was to turn back to Almerimar the next evening and rendezvous with Andy the rigger.

When the time came to leave, just after dusk, it was clear that it was going to be an uncomfortable 8 hour passage with big headsets and strong winds on the nose. It is never easy to turn back, but as it turned out we made a good call.

That night was especially uncomfortable for Phill who had the double whammy of his first night sail, albeit under engine, and the rough seas. It was with relief for Phill when we moored back in the comfort of the marina and he had a chance to get some sleep.

Andy met us soon after we arrived, and after a trip up the mast confirmed the the knot to which the shackle and sail should have been attached to had somehow come undone. It took over two hours to get the halyard moused, and the new knot is now stitched together for extra security. Andy then spent much of that day with us going over the rest of the rigging in fine detail, and it made sense to stay an extra night to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Unexpectedly back in Almerimar

And back off again, cracking sail up to Mazzaron Bay

The onward passages to catch back up with Ian and Stephanie on Nautilus went well without a hitch, and especially enjoyable was the day long one into Mazzaron bay when we tacked well offshore and were rewarded with a wind shift which took us on one long tack into the bay and our welcoming anchorage for the night. 

Courtesy of a wind shift we managed to sail all the way

 We did pop ashore to stretch our legs and made a short hike up to an old lookout post. We rewarded our hard work with a cold drink at a rather trendy beach side bar overlooking Azzy at anchor.

Phill relaxing overlooking Azzy at Anchor

Later that evening the wind picked up, and unbeknownst to us the drop pin must have come out of the drive shaft on our wind generator, leaving the blades to spin at a ferocious speed which completely ruined the plastic gear drive. We spent about an hour in the morning swapping the old drive gear for a new one we had on board, and replaced the drop pin this time using some wire to keep it captive. We will now need to order some more spares to replace the ones we used.

The next morning we upped anchor soon after 4am to head to the Mar Menor and past Cartagena. This is a passage we have made in darkness before, and spectacular to see the tankers at anchor and the lights of the busy commercial port. We even managed to take advantage of a favourable wind in both speed and direction for a while and sailed under main and genoa, keeping a good look out as this is a busy place not only for tankers and passenger ships, but also for a multitude of fishing vessels. By the time we started to approach the headland at Cabo de Palos the wind had died, and once again we were back under engine. We arrived a little early for the two hourly bridge opening into the Mar Menor, but it wasn't too long and we waved farewell for a short time to the Mediterranean sea, and hello to a remarkable salt water lagoon about 12 miles in length and 4 across. We anchored off the beach by Los Narejos and bade farewell to Phill as we dropped him ashore in the rib. It is fair to say he had a taste of life afloat but it is not for him, as indeed it is not always as glamorous as people think. Thank you Phill for making the effort to visit us and share the experiences. It's always great to have you on board, and hope to see you again in Gibraltar.

It is great to be back in the Mar Menor again.

Sunset in the Mar Menor

On the next update we sail with family, fly our cruising chute and asymmetric spinnaker, take the helm of Nautilus with the Parasailor up, get greeted like long lost relatives in a gem of a yacht club, watch Mercedes screw up Lewis Hamilton's dead cert Monaco win, and catch up with old friends. We also go back to Almerimar again, this time a flying visit by car, why...