The word is HOT but we are not complaining, 24th July 2009.

Hi Guy’s

The latest news from Spain is that its Hot.

We have just had a great week with our neighbours Tim, Theresa and George who is nearly eight. They came out to join us for a weeks holiday on the boat. We took the opportunity to spend a few days travelling. Sailing up to a local bay called La Azohia where we spent the day swimming and snorkelling off the back of the boat. The water temperature is around 26 degrees.

We anchored in 5 meters of clear water with a smooth sandy bottom. Great fun. George was in the water most of the day and really enjoyed himself especially swimming under water and looking right underneath the hull and the anchor and chain rising all the way back to the boat. A sight we’ve not had the luxury of seeing before.

We spent the night there before sailing in a lumpy sea the next day to the large city of Cartagena. A large commercial/ naval port and steeped in naval history. It has a lovely old town, where we explored the old streets and the odd bar or two. It is so refreshing to be in an unspoilt Spanish city—wonderful architecture with 4 storey facades and balcony’s not unlike Rome or Malta–many of which are being preserved. Huge steel structures support the facades standing alone whilst the rest of the building is often ripped away and then re built. We are so pleased that the city is preserving these buildings.

The newly opened Roman amphitheatre is a great visit and the entrance and museum which you walk through is architecturally excellent—taking you initially through an understated doorway and underneath a road and other buildings before the visual splendour of the amphitheatre. There are also some nice shops so we also enjoyed some shopping and great breakfast tostadas, tapas and sitting in squares till midnight in warm air watching George playing on a children’s play ground.

Our return journey to Mazarron was much more pleasant, great sailing in a nice 18 knots following wind running home. We have some nice photos of our friends which are attached. Lots of love to all our family and friends and apologises to any one who has not had a personal reply yet but we are not able to get Wi-Fi access on a regular basis.

Tina and Tony. x x x