Stop The Boat

Almerimar, Spain

Almerimar is famous amongst yachties as a cruising wintering ground – a real Port Velcro.  It is a large marina with surrounding resort complexes, hotels and apartments.  It offers sun, warmth, cheap pub food, tapas on tap (well almost), plenty of wine, a convenient supermarket and a well-cared for golf course or two.  The Motley’s stopped by to check it over as a possible destination for a future haul out. 

Gargantuan greenhouses under the stately (& natural) Sierra Nevada 

We were greeted on arrival by the marineros, speaking Spanish at us with gusto.  Fortunately the Sparkles Team chose that moment to hail us from the dock so we all yabbered on in our own languages (yes, kiwi is a language too!) until a sharp directive from El Capitano (the cruel) reminded us of our docking obligations and we got on with the job at hand.

A few Sparkles with our tapas in Almerimar

We used Almerimar to take a little moment of respite on our long journey – the Spanish coast seems endless when moving in day trips – and to try our luck at getting a ticket to Granada’s Alhambra.  In both we were successful.  Even better, a nasty Westerly blew through (a Vendevales) so for a few days we hunkered down and soon had WJ3 covered in flapping washing.  Waste not time (nor water) on board, for when in port shampooing hair and washing clothes must be done. 

 

From:  Fuengirola, Spain Lat/Long:  36:32.45N 4:37.02W Date/Time: 15/06/13: 1010
To:  Almerimar, Spain Lat/Long: 36:41.87N 2:47.53W Date/Time: 16/06/13: 1730
Time Taken: 92nm (15.5hrs) Distance (this year): 359.5nm (58hrs)
Distance Total (since 2008): 11184.5nm   Weather: E5-10kts; no swell; fog near Herradura
Fastest Speed: Motor & a little sailing doing 6.5kts at best  The water is clear to 30+ feet!