Disappointments and compensations
14 August 2012 | Spain (Costa-del-sol)
Jackie
The day had finally come to start our long awaited trip to Cyprus (by air as we haven't got that far yet), to attend Jackie's best friend's wedding.
Nat safely stowed on board, food stocked up to allow him to while away the hours whist moored in La Leina, we set off on the 480 mile trip to Madrid by bus.
The trip went well, not too arduous and we arrived at the hotel where we planned to spend the night prior to our flights. Jackie had 'lucked out' on the hotel, using Last Minute 'our choice' and getting a 4 star, air conditioned, clean and friendly hotel.
We spent our first night on 'dry land' in a huge 7foot + bed and air conditioned room.
Saturday morning was bright and we had a lazy start, knowing we had 2 long flights ahead of us. We eventually booked out and were taken to the airport by complementary transport (again a lucky outcome of the booking).
As are all airports Madrid was heaving with people, we made our way to the terminal and scanned the departure board for our flight. It was not there!!
With a sinking feeling we went to the information booth, only to be told..... Malev airlines went into liquidation earlier this year!!!
S..it what now? We called Opodo- who we had booked through who informed us they had sent an email in February saying that the airline had gone bust and stating if we wanted money back what we should do. They offered no advice, support or help for the situation we found ourselves in.
Jackie was distraught... what were we going to do? It is not a good look, sitting on the floor of an airport sobbing!!!
We checked airlines for spaces to Cyprus but the only one we could find cost over £1600 per person... not the sort of money we have... So there was nothing for it... we could not go.
Jackie frantically called her friend leaving messages on several phones and even the hotel reception and we set off again for the bus station to see if we could exchange our tickets for that night.
The bus station were good, no issues, just OK and new tickets for the night bus.
To salvage some of the effort, we went into Madrid, it was extremely hot and humid but we wandered around seeing the main shopping street, palace, gardens and church. Both of us were very quiet and a bit morose so it was more a 'function' rather than an enjoyment.
The bus home was hot, noisy and packed with people going to the port to return to Morocco for Eade. We arrived back in Algericas port at about 0645 only to be told the bus stops here!!! We had booked to the bus station about 10 mins away but not easy walking. We argued a little then waited for the 2nd bus that we were told would complete our journey. 30 mins later and no bus ,so the driver of our bus conceded to take us the rest of the way, he was not a local so had to ask how to get there and the drive was a little slow.
Once in the bus station we again had to wait as the bus to La Leina didn't start running until 0800.
We arrived back at the boat at 0900 – tired, frustrated and disappointed. We had spent approximately £300 on getting to Madrid for nothing, again money we don't have AND Jackie was going to miss her best friend's wedding!!
A call eventually to the bride had Jackie again in tears, we had to make the best of a bad job and apologise for our lack of attendance.
As we were now in the vicinity and free to move on, we contacted Dave (who sailed Biscay with us in 2010) and he was able to join us for a couple of weeks along with Nat who had planned to stay until mid Aug.
We spent a good couple of days doing the 'tourist' bit around Gibraltar including the cable car up the rock and saw the usual sights … rock, sea view and of course monkeys. We saw several 'baby' monkeys with their mothers suckling them or playing and showing off and took a large number of pictures... as you do!
Once David had arrived and settled in we moved on from La Leina towards the Spanish costas.
First stop was just off the beach at Puerto De Sotogrande. We anchored for the night and swam from the boat. An uneventful evening followed and we retired to bed. The wind then picked up, it gradually increased , whistling through the rigging and the still erected bimini. Pete spent a sleepless couple of hours checking the anchor was holding but she stayed firm, the wind dying down about 6am.
A leisurely breakfast and we set off again. After all the wind the night before it decided to die!! so we motored on to Fuengirola. We again anchored and it held firm. We enjoyed a swim from the boat- still a little cold but refreshing and pumped up the dinghy and went ashore for dinner. We enjoyed a meal in a modern but friendly restaurant and took a leisurely walk back to the dinghy then onto the boat.
Life is good and the disappointment of the Cyprus trip, although still there, faded a little. Enjoying good company, good food and pleasant surroundings provided some compensation.
A new day and a new port. Pete and Jackie started the day with a swim to shore and back, lovely. There was no wind but following a quick trip to shore via dinghy, for essential supplies (tonic for the gin!!) we pulled up the hook and set off. We motored most of the way and as we closed on the shore of Benalmadena so the wind picked up and we sailed the short distance left into the bay.
We again 'dropped the hook' and anchored just off the beach. The afternoon was spent swimming from the boat, sunbathing and 'chilling out'.
After a lovely meal on board we decided to finish the evening with a trip ashore to see the day out with a cold drink. The end of a 'perfect day'.
Again we piled into the dinghy and made our way to shore. We pulled the dinghy up the beach and chained it to a firm post, walked a short distance to the beach bar and sat for a cold drink.... lovely.
On arrival back to the dinghy.... well it was GONE !!!!!!
Did we leave it here? It was dark by now so we traipsed up and down looking. Then we realised there was a drag mark from the point we had secured it, we followed this and sure enough lying in the sand were the oars and the middle seat!!! NO DINGHY!! Bugger!!
Anger, anxiety, fear and more anger coursed through all of us. We split up to search but it was pointless. The locals selling their wears 'didn't see anything' …. yeah right.
So what do we do, the boat is anchored out on the bay and we have no transport to get there. We considered swimming but it was a fair distance. We decided we must go to the marina to report to the maritime police and see what we could do about getting a lift to the boat. Although late now- nearing midnight, the bars were heaving and 4 determined angry sailors pushed and shoved their way through the hoards.
Then Jackie spotted a boat that had just begun to moor. She called over to ask if he spoke English and was answered with a 'yes'. She went on to explain that we were moored in the bay and someone had stolen our dinghy, could he please help us and take us to our boat. Amazingly ,he sighed and said of course!!!
We piled on and set off out of the harbour. Police will have to wait for tomorrow as getting back was more important and there was the underlying anxiety that if they have the dinghy they could take the boat.
We reached Argonauta, said thank you with a 'paper handshake' and our saviour left us.
Argonauta was safe and welcoming. The crew were obviously upset and tempers a little frayed so we went to bed, tomorrow may look better.
Thursday morning was bright and we were up early. Pete spent some time scanning the beach through the binoculars. No luck.
Tempers remained frayed and the atmosphere on board tense. We motored into the marina where with the help of David who speaks Spanish, Pete reported the loss. He was told that it is unusual for boat things to be stolen... just our luck. (it turned out we were not the only ones, one sailor had left his 10m motor boat to go for food and on return it had gone, a police search of the area showed nothing). Look on the positive side, we still have Argonauta.
We decided to stay in the marina for a night, get water, top up electrical equipment and research dinghy replacement. The cost of staying was huge, so after a bit of haggling we were allowed to moor stern too on the harbour wall. A first for us. Pete took charge and after a bit of manoeuvring we were safely ensconced between 2 motor boats.
Tempers remained a little frayed so we went separate ways to calm down and take stock of our circumstances.
By the time all were back on board for tea we were all able to communicate in a better way and even attempted to 'look on the bright side of the situation', we still had Argonauta and our belongings safe. Although a pain, the dinghy and outboard can be replaced. (all donations gratefully received!!!).
Again a good dinner on board then a wander into town for a cold drink, finished off the day on a positive note.
We will move on tomorrow towards the Murcia area as Nat has a flight home booked for Wednesday.
So all in all disappointments but compensations leave us ready for the next part of our adventures.
Jackie