Tenacious left Gibraltar Sunday morning and we are currently making our way through the Straits of Gibraltar. The sun is shining but we currently have a head wind so we are motoring on with lots of fingers crossed that when we get around Cape Trafalgar ( yes, as in battle of) we will pick up some decent sailing winds. However there are nasty muttering about northerlies!!!
When we arrived in Gibraltar we initially tied up at the fuel berth, and while the engineers whiled away a couple of hours, we did assisted climbs and wheelchairs aloft. Neither of our wheelies was particularly bothered about going aloft ( been there lots of times, got lots of T shirts) so Ros and Julia gritted their teeth and quite enjoyed the experience. After we had finished fuelling we moved over to the other side of the harbour, to our proper berth, next to the cruise terminal.
We have been in Gibraltar for two full days and very nice it was too. I think most people have been out and about, exploring the Rock - some on organized tours to see the Apes,and the tunnels etc. while others did their own thing. There are some beautiful little back streets and hidden treasures such as the Trafalgar Cemetery, which is a cool oasis of calm, just on the edge of a bustling little town.
Did I mention that it was scorching hot? Well it was. First thing in the morning it can be quite overcast and then suddenly hot, hot sun. Get's a bit cool in the evenings though, as the wind comes in off the sea, but still very nice.
Anyway we are off and on our way. Plans are suitably vague as always, when you are at the will of the wind, but I can tell you that we have made a few tentative enquiries about the availability of berths in Waterford and in Cobh. I am sure Mr Chipps will be very happy if we do make Ireland! Another probable port is Cowes.
But it's all in the lap of the wind Gods!! However, after today we will probably be out of phone signal for a couple of weeks. That means that if we send any blogs they will be VERY short, as we have to send them via satellite which is very pricey, and we would prefer to spend our money on more constructive things. BUT, you can still check on our progress by watching the tracker.
Sue MP