Monday 16th August
"Brain the size of a planet!" well spotted Val. I don't know whether I'm Arthur or Martha re the date... sorry about that.

Cloudy. 13 miles ish to Cartagena. Lovely cliffs. With the cloud almost reminiscent of the Western Isles.... wind on the nose again made the sea quite heavy. Went strolling around the city and up to the castle. You would love it here Kris. Amazing combination of modern and ancient. Loads of buiding facades with nothing behind awaiting their new flats.... Has a fascinating history from Romans; Hannibal's brother; to being depopulated (only 500 people in medieval times); to being the one of the last strongholds of Francos (along with Alicante). They are spending loads on refurbishing... so it will be a really funky place. Marina was quite expensive but very calm and friendly. "Get Carta (gena)" was also the home of the first ever submarine. Fish and chips (Spanish style a la plancha!)

Tuesday 17th August
Jane left (i think its cos we hadn't seen a dolphin for a week now and the flying fish just don't cut the mustard for her! But also might be because she has an amazing new job.... Dont forget to stick paintbrushes in your hair geisha style!!) We were very sad. Commiserated by going to Lidl and hanging our smalls out and the sun turned up to oblige which cheered us up a wee bit. Didnt have the heart for a two man tablanette (especially as Martyn is now counting in Italian Jane!!!) so watched an on deck movie (hoping to catch the perseids at the same time - didn't)

Wednesday 18th August
Hot day. Sailed for a bit then, yes, you guessed it, motorsailed. Pretty coastline with unpopulated bays until the Cabo de Palos. Then the Mar Menor came into sight....Martyn had never seen anything like it... with its high rises... Anchored in a harbour not yet developed.