Sant Carles - Puerto de Torrevieja

I arrived first on Sunday 21st May, Ian and Gwyn were flying from Birmingham and their flight was about 4 hours behind mine. After a long bus journey I arrived at the marina and founds my way to the boat. The deck was filthy and the interior was covered in salt crystals. A lot of cleaning would be needed to get this boat into shape. I started immediatly, and cleared their cabin of all the sails, no mean feat. Ian and Gwyn arrived at the marina at around 9pm and we went straight to the bar as a beer was needed.

The next morning it was actions stations as the yard wanted to lift us an hour early, soon we were floating and we got stuck in. Cleaning the decks, hoisting the sails, Gwyn did the interior. By the end of the day we were exhausted and we ate on board. The next day things were coming together and I treated the decks with 2-part and by lunchtime we were ready to go. We left just before lunch with a plan to do a massive leg and go straight to Puerto de Torrevieja.

The journey started in an uneventful way but it got darker and darker and by early evening we were in thick cloud,. As the light fell the fireworks began and 15 hours of lightening. Lightening is the most feared thing fir yachts owners because a lightening strike usually means all the boat electrics have to be replaced.

When we came into anchor it was like an oasis of calm. You cannot imagine how nice it was.. we all slept really well.

That's the first 180 miles under the belt.