leg 10 - barcelona to valencia and finally for 2013

LEG 10 - BARCELONA TO VALENCIA AND FINALLY FOR 2013 ON
TO ALMERIMAR
Leg 10 got off to a very slow start. It seemed that the long crossing from Turkey to the Aegean Greek
Islands, the push through the Corinthian Canal and mostly a beat up the Gulf, followed by some long
legs onto Croatia and Dubrovnik, the cruise in Croatia followed by a pretty rough long overnight sail
to Italy, on to Amalfi, Rome, Elba, Corsica, overnight to Monaco, Marseilles dodging the bullets in the
notorious Gulf du Lion, staggering along the Spanish coast to Barcelona; had all taken a toll! Yours
truly needed a rest.
Barcelona
So the wonderful city of Barcelona with all its maritime history, art, food and Catalan hospitality
provided a great respite. Some days I did nothing. Other days we jumped on the modern Metro right
beside the Masnou Marina (it has its own station) and in a few minutes you are in the centre of a
throbbing, bustling city. Tracking down some of the favorites like Gaudi and Dali was easy and fun. If
there were crowds or queues we would just scoot off and do something else. One bonus for travelers
in Spain: Pensioners get a big break on museum and other entry fees. Another big plus is that the
Spanish are very friendly to travelers and sailors.
In Barcelona I had time for photos. There are endless exciting views and sights in Barcelona. I have
included some of them. I know Miran will ask for more for the photo gallery!
BARCELONA PHOTOS
If you look at the background you can see the
orange towers of The Barcelona Hotel.
ONE OF THE MANY FANTASTIC FOUNTAINS IN
BARCELONA
CATALAN FLAGS - SOME CATALANS WANT
INDEPENDENCE. During our sojourn there was on
massive public flag waving day of support for the
separation. EU says no chance as does the rest of
Spain.
I THINK THIS CLOWN HAS ASSERTED HIS OWN INDEPENDENT STATE OF MIND.
He keeps the eye on the prize and his foot!
COLUMBUS POINTS THE WAY TO THE WEST. I USED TO BE IN AWE OF THESE
EXPLORERS. I STILL AM. BUT I ALSO READ THAT SOME OF THESE
“EXPLORERS”HAD PAID BIG MONEY FOR SECRET CHINESE CHARTS. It seems the
Chinese had been sailing much of the world before the so called “voyages of
discovery” by the European economic and cultural religious raping of the “New
World” Africa and the rest!
DALI BRONZE RHINO. THE GALLERY IS WELL
WORTH A VIST IF YOU LIKE THE ARTIST.
DALI - TROJAN HORS
DALI'S LADY GODIVA BEAR GARGOYLE BARCELONA
BEAR GARGOYLE BARCELONA DALI’S ST
GEORGE AND DRAGON
BARCELONA FISH MONGER. THE MARKET SUPPLIES
AN INCREDIBLE VARIETY OF FISH.
TIPS OF SPIRES ON GAUDI'S SAGRADA FAMILLA
CATHEDRAL. BUILT 1882 UNTIL SOMETIME IN THE
FUTURE. THE WORK GOES ON! Figure 13 GAUDIS
MONSTER DREAM IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
SINCE IT WAS STARTED IN 1882.
GAUDIS MONSTER DREAM IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION SINCE IT WAS
STARTED IN 1882.
I COUNTED AT LEAST 4 ACTIVE CRANES. THE QUEUE TO GET IN WAS HALF A MILE
LONG WE DECIDED ON A BEER AND AN EXTERIOR VIEW.
BARCELONA MARKET. WHAT A TREAT AFTER 5
YEARS IN HAMLESS TURKEY. WHAT FUN TO BE BACK
IN THE LAND OF THE PIG! AND WHAT FANTASTIC
HAMS THEY HAVE. NO WONDER EL CID WANTED
THE MOORS TO BE GONE. GOOD JOB CID BABY!
THANKS.
PEPPERS OF FANTASTIC COLOURS
CATALUNYA SQUARE
BENICARLO - A TRIBUTE TO LOCAL FARMERS
TARAGONA MURAL
TARRAGON PORT ATTRACTS SOME MEGA YACHTS THIS ONE IS TOPAZ
3RD (?) LARGEST IN WORLD. A SUPER SAILING YACHT IN BACKGROUND
SIX SPREADER MAST.
I WAS TOLD IN THESE WATERS THE FULL MOON
GOT THE JELLY FISH DANCING ALL NIGHT WELL…
LET’S SEE!
TRADITIONAL FISHING SKIFF SNAPPED ON THE
WAY TO …
TARRAGONA HAS A FESTIVAL IN LATE SEPTEMBER BODY TOWER BUILDING
COMPETITIONS
TARAGONA TO CALAFAT A - VERY LARGE DOLFIN
THE NIGHT AFTER THE FULL MOON THE JELLY FISH
ARE STILL UP AND AT IT.
CALAFAT WITH NUCLEAR POWER STATION BEHIND
ON WAY TO OROPESA - FISH BOAT RETURNS AT
DAWN. The small skiff behind has a bank of very
bright lights to attract the fish.
PENISCOLA - KISS FOR THE PILOT.
In the Peniscola Castell with its history of violent
Christian Crusaders the sweetness of the kiss adds a
surreal ambience to the starkness of the fort. The
art exhibit incongruous with the nacabre exhibits in
the torture chambers.
PENISCOLA CASTEL. MOVIE EL CID WAS MADE
HERE.
PENISCOLA CITY INSIDE THE CASTLE WALLS THE
MOVIE EL CID WAS FILMED HERE.
Most of the homes are occupied.
We splurged on a three course lunch
WE SPOTTED THIS SPECIAL FISH IN THE BARCELONA
MARKET: RAYA PLAYA. THINK IT MIGHT MEAN:
SAND RAY.
INCREDIBLE EDIBLE DESERT AT JAMIES PENISCOLA
BEACH
KISS FISH OR FISH KISS.
KNIGHTS OF THE TEMPLAR HELD THE PENISCOLA
FORT.
THIS APPERS TO BE A MASSIVE SIZED NAUTILS ON
A PENISCOLA BALCONY
PAPAL PEDRO DE LA LUNA OF PENISCOLA
IT SEEMS ST ANDREWS OF SCOTLAND WAS
FOUNDED ON A LOT OF BULL. WELL SIX OF THEM!
IN THE NAME OF THE CRUSADE THE CHRISTIANS HAD MANY INVENTIVE
METHODS OF TORTURE. THERE SEEMS TO BE ONE POOR HETHANS BONES N
THE CAGE.
SUNRISE ON WAY TO OROPESA
SUNRISE OVER JUAN CARLOS 1 (AMERICA'S CUP) MARINA VALENCIA.
VALENCIA
Once again it was hard to sail away from Valencia. So we stayed on! Every day there were
more things we wanted to do. We ended up hitting the highlights: The beautiful ancient
market, Cathedrals, The Porcelain Museum, the modern Cultural Centre, Centrum and of
course the beach! Plus we used the 24 hour Red “Hop on Hop Off” bus many ticket times as
it came right by the marina.
These big ones came right into Valencia docks. The
heads are about the size of a football or yours.
Each year in mid October Valencia has a parade of traditional costumes.
The Valencia beach right beside the Juan Carlos 1
(America's Cup) Marina. We had a 4 minute walk
along the breakwater for a swim.
Valencia beach after an Easterly breeze.
VALENCIA PORCELAIN MUSEUM - A 15 CENTURY PALACE NOW BEAUTIFULLY
RESTORED.
VALENCIA’S EARLIEST HORCHATERIA: SANTA
CATALINA WITH CERAMIC PAINTED TILES.
HORCHATA IS A MILKY ALMOND DRINK.
Bat on Crown decorating the Valencia City Hall.
Does anyone know the origin of the BAT symbol?
RAYA PLAYA. THIS WAS THE SPECIAL FISH FOR OUR
GOURMET DISH AT JAIMIES IN PENISCOLA.
FOX CARVING LA LONJA
VALENCIA GARGOYLE OF LA LONJA
Carved wood ceiling La Lonja. This is just a small
portion.
MY PHOTO SHOWS ONLY A PORTION OF THE
BEAUTIFUL VALENCIA MARKET!
VALENCIA HAS MANY AMAZING MODERN
STRUCTURES.
IN CONTRAST TO THE MANY ANCIENT VISONS
VALENCIA HAS SOME AMAZING MODERN
STRUCTURES.
DETAIL OF THE PURPLE GLASS SCULPTURE MADE
FROM THOUSANDS OF TINI GLASS RINGS
A FAMOUS BULLFIGHTER OUTSIDE THE VALENCIA RING
VALENCIA CENTRUM MANY BEAUTIFUL STYLESOF
ARCHITECTURE
CONTRASTING WITH THE OLD CITY IS THE ULTRA
MODERN CULTURAL CENTRE
THE CULTURAL CENTRE IS EXTENSIVE WITH MANY
INNOVATIVE DESIGNS
CULTURAL CENTRE VALENCIA
SOME AMAZING DESIGNS AND MATERIALS
ULTRA MODERN BRIDGE WITH JUST ONE SUPPORTING BEAM OR ARCH
PART OF THE INTERIOR OF THE OLD RAILWAY
STATION AT ESTACION NORD
VALENCIA STREET VIEW WITH WONDERFUL STYLES
I am very happy El Cid chased away the moors making room for many pork and
ham delights!
SAILING AWAY FROM VALENCIA
However we must finally sail off to make it in time to Almerimar for the crew to catch their flights!
Denia. October 12. 42NM The Buddha pub up on the seawall gave us great view of the very slow
finish regatta. The friendly waitress kept us supplied with great cold beers. Later a fine local guitarist
spun some super tunes.
Altea October 13. 27NM My best memory of Altea was pulling in at about the same time as dozens of
young kids were cleaning up there skiffs after a Sunday regatta. Their joy of sailing and the
excitement of the day will last them for a life time. Spanish yacht clubs are doing a great job at
encouraging the young to sail!
Figure 68 FISH BOAT AT WORK AS ALICANTE COMES
INTO SIGHT
SAILING INTO ALICANTE
Alicante October 15. 19 NM. I would love to have the extra ready cash to stay the winter at this
beautiful marina. For example; the docks are so wide they have a divided road so you can drive right
to your pontoon and freely park. There are so many services and a very helpful staff and some
unusual craft.
Entirely powered by solar panels. Bit silly not to
have sails as well!
Alicante is to host the start of the next Volvo Ocean Round the World Race. The date is already set:
October 4 2014.The marina also sports a wonderful Volvo Race Museum. For sailors it is a great
Exhibit. And how great to see very young school kids on educational an excursion!
Alicante has a wonderful Museo of Volvo Ocean
Race. A great display with working models including
all kinds of hands on stuff for kids.
Great to see kids being introduced to the oceans and
ocean racing!
Above the city are the wonderful remains of the Santa Barbara Castle where we spent one lazy
afternoon. There are stunning views, knights in armor, catapults, crossbow and massive walls to
ramble around and dream of ancient invaders trying to scale the walls.
Santa Barbara Castle knight.
SANTA BARBARA CATAPULT
SANTA BARBARA CROSSBOW
VIEW FROM SANTA BARBARA HIGH ABOVE THE
MARINA, BEACH AND MODERN CITY.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MANCA HERE FOR THE
WINTER BUT THE MARINA WHILE VERY NICE IT IS
QUITE EXPENSIVE.
Later, as we looked out to sea, there under full sail, was the Mariette.
THE MARIETTE SAILING ALONG AT A GOOD CLIP
WHICH IS WHAT THE "CLIPPER" SHIPS WERE GOOD
AT. SHE IS OUT OF REACH FROM THE CASTLE
CANONS.OWNER AT THE HELM.
For the paparazzi; a great chance to snap the rich and famous earlier at the dock where we spotted
the Mariette, a 98 year old beautifully maintained ketch, with owner and first mate at lunch. She is
famous enough to come up on Google and she is still racing.
AT ALICANTE - IT IS A JOY TO SEE THIS CLASSIC
YACHT MARIETTE IN SUCH GREAT CONDITION
AND RACE READY!
ALICANTE CLASSIC YACHT BOW SPRIT VIEW. SIX PROFESSIONAL CREW ARE
HARD AT WORK. THE OWNER ARRIVING NEXT DAY!
LEAVING ALICANTE
Of course we wanted to stay longer at Alicante. The swimming was still great but we must eventually
arrive in Almerimar before the 22nd so reluctantly we pulled out of Alicante on the 15th Octobersailing to Torrevieja. (old tower).
Torrevieja . Our instructions were to: “head for the tallest mast!” But on arrival we are met with two
very tall masts dominating the sky line. Calling in on VHF 9 we ask for help. “Oh ours is the other
tallest mast”, they reply. Never mind, we found a very friendly marinero to help us dock in the vey
upscale Club Nautica.
Next morning as we depart Torrevieja I get a chance to see the other of the “tallest masts”. It is a one
off design yacht with a massive rotating mast with fixed boom and fixed pole for the jib. Old tech
now if you consider the Russell Coutts’ dragon flies that speed around the AC circuit at “Formula
One” breakneck speeds.
TORREVIEJA “THE OTHER TALLEST MAST” IN THE MARINA.
A MASSIVE EXPERIMENTAL RIG WITH ROTATING MAST WITH FORE AND
AFT BOOMS. SHE DOMINATES THE DAWN SKY AS WE HEAD FOR
CARTEGENA.
Cartegena is 44NM further SW .We leave early so we will have time to explore the ancient city. What
an incredible history. She has been ransacked time and time again because of her attractions: Gold
and precious metals, plus a great natural harbour! Now other precious stuff, new mines and docks
have opened. The digging continues. The ransacking by the multinationals is more subtle. The locals
do not seem to be reaping much benefit. Despite the ongoing ravaging the small city still provides
many delights for the sailor.
APPROACHING CARTEGENA FROM THE NORTH
MODERN MINES HAVE REPLACED THE OH SO
ANCIENT MINES 2-3000 YEARS OLD.
CARTEGENA SAILOR RETURNS HOME TO HIS BEAUTIFUL CITY
One of these is the Spanish Submarine fleet based here. From previous wars the enormous caves cut
into the cliffs can still be seen. The much needed in revision, Mediterranean Spain Costas Del Sol and
Blanca Imray 6th Edition makes note for the Skipper to watch out for submarines. As we were
putting out of the harbor in the very early morning (before the second cup) with one eye open and
before rounding the breakwater, I was pedantically explaining this small point to the crew when; no
kidding, I had just finished my sentence as we rounded the breakwater and there, right in front of us,
a whopper crossing our path! A crew jaw dropper! And yes! Skipper does know his stuff! The Spanish
submariners all on deck, ready for docking, gave us a big wave as we scuttled out of their metallic
way!
PART OF THE CARTEGENA SUBMARINE FLEET DEAD
AHEAD! HARD TO PORT MANCA RIGHT NOW! THE
FRIENDLY SPANISH CREW GAVE US A BIG WAVE.
Hitting a Spanish war ship with a Tasmanian at the
helm could have stirred an international pot.
Next we sail to Aquilas 32 miles on towards Almerimar. A very tight squeeze for Manca- (with a note
to myself) - do not to try that one again! Dodging the rocks around the fuel dock was tough enough.
But a lovely marinero was up and down the dock helping with everything. Wonderful welcome! As
well the local sailor neighbor helped to arrange our next stop at San Jose. Without this reservation
we would have no chance to stop for the next 70+ miles.
Figure 83 Aquilas castle from our tiny dock at the
marina.
San Jose is tiny harbor nestled under a cliff with soaring sea birds above, a beautiful club with great
hospitality. We managed to shoe-horn into the dock with just inches ahead and astern.
Gulls soar over the cliffs behind Sam Jose. Sometimes they would
suddenly dip into caves possibly watch chicks or feeding them
We were asked to clear San Jose early next morning as at 0900 the locals were starting a hundred or
more triathlon swimmers. At 0830 we are on our way to Aquadulce and to our surprise, on arrival, a
pub party for hundreds of swillers: The Motor Bike Gangs of Costa Blanca. At first we thought: No
sleep tonight. But as the afternoon wore on we enjoyed their retro band that pumped out all kinds of
good stuff including: The Beatles. (Have since changed my mind about bikers thought they were all
into punk, acid and Country!). Later we refreshed with a great swim on the beach twenty metres
over the marina wall before a Mohito sundowner. Oh boy life is good!
The next morning we are faced with the last short leg to Almerimar-19NM. None of us want to leave
as the long sail from Turkey to Spain will be quickly over.
Strange little dragonfly joined the crew for the last
leg!
We note that the African coast is now only 150 NM south. At 1305 we pull into Almerimar; do the
paper work and are quickly assigned a berth for the next undetermined length of stay.
Almerimar comes into view with the mountains
behind and flanked by two swimming beaches. This
is looking good! The Sierra Nevada, Spain’s highest
mountains, create a beautiful backdrop and a nice
dry east coast climate for Manca.
Manca has done a great job. She has delivered her crews 3277 miles in comfort and safety from
Marmaris Turkey, to Almerima Costa Del Sol Spain.
Terry, Almerimar October 28, 2013 Andalucia, Spain.
These two beauties sailed with Manca most of the voyage They are still
blooming in Almerimar.
BLUFFS
I HAVE ADDED A FEW BLUFFS AT THE END HERE. FOR ME, THE COAST DEL SOL SHOULD BE CALLED
THE COSTA DEL BLUFFS. THERE A GREAT NUMBER WITH FANTASTIC- (FROM A DISTANCE)GEOLOGIAL FORMATIONS. THIS REVIVED MY LONG TIME INTEREST IN GEOLOGY. I WOULD LOVE TO
HAVE A GUIDE AND A PICK AND DO SOME EXPLORATION ASHORE.
PENON DE ILFACH BESIDE PUERTO DE CALPE
FANTASTIC BLUFFS RISE UP IN MANY CASES OUT OF
DEEP SEA.
I CAN’T REALLY TELL FROM THE DISTANCE BUT IT
LOOKS LIKE A TRAVERTINE WATER FALL ISSUING
OUT OF A CAVE ON THE CLIFF SIDE.
AY GEOLIGISTS HAZARD A GUESS?
TRAVERTINE (?) DEPOSITS FROM THE CAVE DETAIL.
WATER FALL GUSHES FROM A CAVE OR HIDDEN SPRING OVER THE CLIFF AND
DOWN TO THE SEA!
WE ARE NOW SOME DISTANCE OFF THE VERY HIGH
BLUFF ON THE RIGHT. THE SHEER SLAB TO THE LEFT
IS STUNNING.