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Rota (Cadiz)


We left Mazagon with no wind at all and whilst the east wind is roaring through the Strait there was no wind at all for us so we were motoring. We were heading for Rota which is at the other side of the bay from Cadiz. Cadiz has two marinas but both are too small for us.

The journey was both hot and tedious. We did try to sail but even we cannot elicit forward motion with 4knts of wind. After about four hours of motoring we approached a headland and ass we did the wind arrived 25 not 30 knots bang on the nose and oh boy what a noise. A quick scramble for life jackets and we carried on, as it happened the sea got rougher with the waves coming directly at us for the first time on this trip, but they weren't that bad. The sea was relatively flat. I know this sounds contradictory but it is how it was - very odd. We could see the breakwater but we had to go a very long way around to avoid shoals near the harbour entrance. It took us about 45 minutes of additional time to take the precautionary route.

We now had to find a way to get lines and fenders on as it was clear that there was not respite within the harbour, so I headed up wind. Then I issued instructions that as soon as I point the boat downwind we will head for the marina entrance and must get all lines and fenders on quickly before we hit the entrance.

As we entered the marina Sarah from Blue Eyes told us where we should go and then all of a sudden there were people around to catch us as we came in to dock.

The next day we explored Rota which is another popular holiday town and found a small castle. There wasn't much to see but it was lovely. Later we all met on the beach for a splendid lunch. The next day Ginny and Graham went to Cadiz on the bus and we did a few jobs. We had planed to hire a car and go to Cadoba but there were no hire cars available and the lady advised us not to go in this heatwave so it will have to stay on my bucket list.

Yesterday we al caught the bus to Cadiz and what a pretty place it is. With tiny streets all laid out in a grid system it is very confusing as one street looks exactly like any other. We went to the cathedral which was quite interesting however the ticket included a trip to the top of of one of the bell towers. Well this was amazing much like going up The Monument except it was a continuous slope and not a step in sight. At the top it felt as though I had just arrived in a movie step and that Nicholas Cage would soon appear looking for a clue!

Later we just had enough time for a flying visit to the museum and whilst the Roman invasion was interesting the real story is that the site has been continuously occupied by humans for around 5000 years.


  • Rota
  • Inside the castle at Rota
  • Castle at Rota
  • Cathedral at Cadiz
  • Solid silver
  • National Treasure?
  • Front
  • Street
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