Costa Blanca‏

Hi one & all,

Well as you all know Jan & Nick have departed to Sydney to start a series of "theme" parties ie Moroccan, Spanish etc. Nick only managed one mullet, but something very big took his line. I am amazed there are any fish left with the over fishing in the Med. Jan became an excellent sailor, very skill full with mooring and the winches, didn't get sick once, and forgave us for going to sleep on our way to Gibraltar, only to wake off Ceuta in Africa, as favorable winds enabled us to get to this Spanish enclave of Morocco!
We are currently bashing into wind and waves making way to Valencia by motor-sailing! The coast line is magnificent, layer upon layer of green, rugged mountains! Every evening it goes white as a fog descends, with mountain peaks still visible, truly the "white coast".
Our visit to Cartagena was enjoyable. We were heading for our anchorage some miles from the city at 9pm (amazingly still light till 10pm!) when a large Guardia Civil vessel approached, launched a rubber ducky and we were (very politely, after asking permission) boarded by a young policeman. Arti thought he was cute, and sweet talked him out of fining us for not flying our national flag and Spanish curtesy flag, as we are obliged to do. All papers, safety gear, boat skipper licence's etc were checked, the first time on our trip. We now fly all shapes and flags as demanded by maritime law! We anchored off a lovely little village and next day caught a bus to Cartagena, the oldest city in Spain, were Hannibal set of with his elephants for Rome and which Scipio then conquered. Cervantes (he wrote Don Quixote) came from there and we saw his house, the Roman theater the Punic walls of the original city and a Byzantine church burial crypt (with skeletons in situ, to my delight!)We returned to our village to find no restaurants open, but 5 km down the beach an excellent restaurant was recommended -- we planned the dingy there in no time and enjoyed an excellent paella! Last night we had a rocky anchorage in a magnificent setting and hope for more shelter when we reach Valencia. I have just read that Paella was invented there so we shall have to try it.
Sailing in the Med is interesting There is more wind than I expected, and it can change direction and strength very suddenly (resulting in a badly torn gennicker when Jan & Nick were with us) Waves are short and sharp, and can be uncomfortable at times, but overall we need to motor more than usual. 
We are always glad for any news from home, as we feel a little isolated. We were delighted to hear from Marina & Harry, enjoying a well deserved break in the USA, with awesome photos of Hawaii and the Grand Canyon. In a few more days we will reach Barcelona and should have decent internet on our regular email, so will try and send a few Photos!We are looking forward to the break in a marina there.

Dimitri & Arti