Goodbye Gibraltar, hello Mediterranean

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After 7 weeks in Queensway Marina Gibraltar while we got upgrades added to Dreams we’d started to feel like we were putting down roots. We’d become very familiar with the town and got to know a number of other people staying in the marina. So much so, our evenings were filled with happy hour gatherings that turned into late nights. We quickly learned to eat a quick dinner before going to someone’s boat for “a quick drink”.

It wasn’t all work work work while we were in Gibraltar, we did take a few days to explore and have a break from boat jobs.

As we slipped away from the dock at 8:30 am on April 20th I felt a sense of nervousness. How much of what I’d learned about sailing the boat across the Bay of Biscay in February had been forgotten in the seven weeks stationary in the marina?  Much to Mike’s dismay, it turns out about half. On the positive side, at least I’d remembered some things!  

I learn by constant repetition. Mike learns by doing something once and committing it to memory, forever.  So annoying!

After all our years of marriage we are still figuring these differences out and for the sake of successful boat life we are reminded  to appreciate each others strengths and be patient with the weaknesses. 

Once Gibraltar rock was behind us and we’d navigated through an anchorage of commercial ships we were happy to find the wind angle conducive to raising the sails. 

Based on the forecast we had expected to motor to Marbella but sailing is always our preferred choice. It might be slower but it’s cheaper and quieter. 

There is only one catamaran slip in Marbella Marina so we were glad we had booked a few days ahead.  

On arrival we saw the slip was located at the end of the marina furthest from town. We’ve heard that music from the bars and clubs plays all night at a volume even the very best ear plugs can’t block out so a little distance was very welcome.  

As it happens we weren’t disturbed by loud music at all on the two nights we stayed. Either we’ve mastered the art of blocking background noise out or we are just so tired we can sleep through anything. 

Ironically the most noise we heard was late on Sunday night as crowds yelled and cheered at the football match being screened in the bars. No idea who was playing and we didn’t care enough to wander over and find out. 

Our location at the end of the dock also meant there was a steady stream of people walking by to catch the local ferry to Puerto Banus.  As we pottered around the boat doing maintenance and cleaning we heard holiday makers saying “I’d have that one”. Sometimes they were pointing at Dreams of Infinity, but more often than not it was the large motor cruiser next to us that was getting the attention.  

It is also possible that I am now an internet sensation since one group videoed me cleaning the hulls with a pressure washer. Not sure that will go viral, but who knows…