September 2016
View from Conception Castle to Marina
First Days in Cartagena
Having now spent a month in Yacht Port Cartagena I am really enjoying it here. We have a nice spot in the marina and there is always something to see either on the water or on the public footpath. We can watch people promenading, roller blading, skateboarding, dog walking, jogging etc. Yesterday we watched about 40 dogs and their owners walk past. Some sort of dog walking group we assume. I can’t imagine that 40 odd dog owners happened to end up walking in the same place at the same time. Or maybe it was a call via the Twilight Barking. There are still many museums and tourist sites in the town that we have not yet done, and we have done quite a few. We are saving some for our visitors and as we are here all winter do not feel as though we need to rush to see them all straight away. There have been numerous cruise ships in the port, HMS Ocean was in for two and a half days and the town full of sailors one Saturday night. Container ships continually in to be loaded or unloaded and the local dinghy sailing club either going out for practice or competition. Always something to watch on the water.
Me at the House of Fortune
Cruise ships
Marina Community
There is an active community for winter live aboards in the marina. Activities so far include a Sunday afternoon BBQ, Wednesday tapas night, Friday happy hour with walking groups, music groups, coffee groups, tennis and a book club all being discussed. We have met so many people already. Some we already knew, some are staying for the winter, some leaving the boat and heading home, some moving on. So many people who have interesting stories and invaluable information on places we are thinking of going.
Eating out with Friends
Sunday BBQ at the marina
Dads Birthday
It was Dads birthday earlier in September and after having spoken to him in the morning with the help of one of the carers, Gary and Gavin went in the evening and had a curry with him in the dining room. Via the Relatives Gateway software that the care home uses, they sent me some pictures of Dad during the day and Gary took some photos as well. I used my Touchnote app to send Dad a physical birthday card. This is the app I use to turn my own photographs into physical postcards or greetings cards.
Dad on his Birthday
Dads Birthday
Romans versus Carthaginians Festival
My previous post was about this festival which was a highlight of the month.
First Visitors
We have welcomed and already said goodbye to our first visitors. Jake and Lucie came to stay on Gleda for 6 nights. Jake crewed with us for a month for our trip across Biscay from Alderney and then for the first part of our trip into the Ria’s of northern Spain. It was great to see Jake again and lovely to meet Lucie. Yet again, Jake was in Spain for a major local festival. In A Coruna it was the festival of San Juan with all the beach fires, this time Romans versus the Carthaginians. They literally just arrived in time for the battle and then the grand parade on the last weekend of the festival. They were also with us for our first proper rain in 4 months, not so much fun for them but now a rarity for us.
Neil, me, Lucie, Jake & Gleda (photo Jake Woodnutt)
Jake & Lucie taking a dip
Jake and Lucie onboard Gleda
Other Visitors & Visits
My Mum, Bry along with their friends Barbs and Barry are coming out for a week in October. Neil’s daughter Nicole and Simon are coming for a long weekend in November. It will be great to show everyone around our new “home town” and share our favourite places so far. I’m heading back to the UK in November/December and looking forward to celebrating my Goddaughter Rachael’s, 18th birthday.
Thoughts for the future
Our current thinking is to not go far next summer season and we will probably only “go out” for 3 months. We think we will leave here early May, spend some time in the Mar Menor, an inland sea about 30 miles north of here, then spend sometime in the Balearic Islands before coming back to Cartagena for next winter. Not a definite plan, just our current thinking.
We’ll see.
