1st Feb 2008
Well here we are – back again – the story continues !
We had some time-out from the travels to visit back home over the Christmas & New Year, and got back here to Spain 17th Jan. Trevor is still hanging onto the remnants of a cold / flu that started on 3rd Jan which has proved to be very difficult to shift. However – hopefully the blue skies will speed up the recovery and get rid of the remaining cough….
It was really great to see everyone over the holiday period ( but there were a few that we just couldn't manage to get to see ) but the weather, while we were at home, showed us why we had chosen to travel south – it was generally miserable. But since we have been back there has been no rain, the skies have been blue and the daytime temperature about 18 – 20c (night time drops to about 8 – 10c).
We are still in Ayamonte and since arriving back have been out on the bikes a couple of times (once to Isla Canela & once to Castro Marim). The bikes certainly at least double the area that can be visited easily, but a rest day is needed after the longer rides. Other than the normal daily things like shopping, cooking, laundry etc; we have also done a few more boaty jobs, been to some of the places that we had not seen yet around the town and been watching some of the Carnaval activities and visited Fran & Richard a couple of times. We are waiting until the climax of the carnaval with the street parades and fireworks before moving further along the coast, probably after the 6th. Most of the Spanish towns along this part of the coast have Carnavals (now re-instated since being banned by Franco during his time) leading up to Lent. The biggest and most famous carnaval is in Cadiz and most are finished by the 10th although Algeciras finishes theirs on the 20th Feb.
It was difficult to decide whether to move along to Cadiz to try to catch some of their fiestas but we also want to see some of the Columbus history in and around Huelva. So, we stay here for the fiestas and move to Mazagon for a few days to visit Huelva by bus.
Jaap & Diana (on Kiara) are also now in Ayamonte after wintering in Lagos and it was good to catch up with their news and see them again.
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- Balchis
- Catch up on where we are and see some pictures. Balchis is a 32 1/2 foot Barbary Ketch designed by Walter Rayner and built in 1972 by Mitchells of Poole. Normally sailed on the west coast of Scotland (the Inner Hebrides) but also Ireland, Isle of Man and as far down as the Scillies. The outline plan is to leave Loch Feochan during the first week in July 2007 and end up in The Scillies by about the 24th July (via Canna). Then wait for favourable conditions to cross to North West Spain and head South at a leasurely pace to the Algarve for about October (- ish). For 2008 we are heading into the Med and the Balearics and then we will see which way the wind is blowing us... Been there - now heading back to Scotland during 2009.
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4 comments:
Hope trevor's cold is getting better. good to back in the warmer climbs things here seem to be on the up. have plenty of work .had letter from the other party still to discuss it but all minor points should be all over bar the shouting will email shortly heading down south next week
At last we have some more news. We thought you had forgotten tha twe might want to know what you are up to! Enjoy the warm sunshine - it is rain/snow/rain/snow here mixed with high winds. We've just had sponge and custard for pudding; yummy! Take care. from all at Inversnaid School
Happy Birthday!!
Hi Trev and Carolyn, hope you are both well and enjoying your trip on top of the water this time trev (woody for short) Thanks for the christmas card.
Must be nice not to worry about the weather too much, my son Mike is in Gib at the moment on HMS Exeter, I've told him to keep an eye open for you both, not sure if he knows the boat. Anyway take care and hopefully be in touch again soon. best regards from Chris and Gaynor Roberts.
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