18th May, Barbate to Gibraltar

We were very excited to be setting off for the 36 mile trip to Gibraltar; it seemed like a big milestone in our journey since we set off from Preston last April. It was sunny with a clear sky but with the wind coming through the Straights of Gibraltar we motored rather than sailed. We were very happy that we only had 10-15 knots of wind against us as in the last few weeks there have been several prolonged periods where it has been 20-30. 

Shipping in the Straights, with the mountains of North Africa in the background

Entering the narrows passing Travira lighthouse. The town of Travira has the doubious distinction of one of the highest suicide rates in the world, the population apparenty driven mad by the constant winds.

Gibraltar at last

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Weaving in between many anchored ships on the way to the marina

15th May Rota to Barbate

Stuart had his first sail on the 38 miles down the coast, round Cape Trafalgar to the small town of Barbate. We were astonished to find that as we sailed past Cape Trafalgar we could see the coast of North Africa on the horizon. Somehow we were expecting Cape Trafalgar to be a magnificent headland, but in reality it is a low sandy promontory, still you can’t beat the history.

Barbate is a good sized fishing port and the last stopping off point before the 40 mile passage to Gibraltar. Its marina was built with great things in mind but now looks thinly used and a bit run down, which is a shame as the town has great beaches.

Cape Trafalgar

We are now south of Cape Trafalgar, Africa is on the other horizon

The lovely sandy beach of Barbate (we may be the only tourists here)

 

13th and 14th May Rota and Cadiz

Wendy, Dave and Chris took the ferry from Rota to Cadiz on the 14^th, very convenient as the ferry departs from a few yards away from Cara Mara’s berth. The old city of Cadiz was busy, but really worth a visit, Wendy and Chris joined a free guided tour, which included stories from the 5000 year history of the city including Roman, Moor and Christian settlements. Apparently the Romans considered Cadiz to be one of the most important cities outside of Italy. Dave unfortunately spent this time in phone shops trying to get his phone to work with a new and expensive data SIM. Answer, data SIM works, Dave’s phone now doesn’t. We met up to have a wander through the city and climb one of the many merchants towers, where they kept lookout for returning ships.

When we returned to Rota in the evening Stuart was waiting to join us for 2 weeks.

Wendy in the City's main square

A combination of Moorish and Christian buildings which sit next to a Roman theatre, and on top of remains of Phoenician buildings

Courtyard of local homes housing 8 families

City walls, Cadiz was the only city in Spain to keep Bonaparte out.

View from the merchants tower, with the cathedral in the background