Gateway
15 September 2021 | Gibraltar
Gibraltar Botanical Garden
Sunday 12 September 2021
Fun fact: Wind forecasting in Strait of Gibraltar sucks. So you're saying to yourself, "isn't all weather forecasting universally dreadful?". Well sure, but this morning in Tarifa wind, which was suppose to be light from the west, was actually upper twenties from the east. Planned to leave early before any wind at all was predicted, but woke to boat hopping around like a coked-up squirrel. Since current was flowing east at two and a half knots against it we enjoyed a zesty crash and bash for two hours until nearer Gibraltar.
Arrived Alcaidesa Marina before noon. Jan needed nap after arrival due poor sleep worrying about dragging into leeward rocks (wind strong last evening before easing overnight). Other crew, who assumed water surging in would wake him in time to swim from sinking ship and slept like a baby, went for a walk and found coffee cafe, Irish pub and dockmate-recommended bar and restaurant. Acquaintance whom we met when he was crewing for friends on SV Beam IV in Grenada is teaching sailing in Gibraltar and meeting us in about fifteen minutes. Bye for now.
- Later
Nice visit with David. Walked him out part way to a meet and greet with his new students (he teaches sailing) then veered off for Liffey's Irish Pub, but strictly a bar, no food. Continued on into La Linea to discover that hardly any restaurants serve food between four pm and eight pm, only drinks - Europe. We normally eat around five or six and definitely not nine. Finally found a place for full meal with wine for twenty seven Euro. Looks like dinner is going to be a challenge in the Mediterranean as we'll never acclimate to eating just before bedtime. May adjust by having supper for lunch then drinking until unconscious in the early evening... it's an option... maybe not.
Tuesday
Pretty good day in Gibraltar yesterday with episodes of rain. Stayed home today with mostly rain. Slept in and putzed around all day with slight amount of guilt-inspired productivity. Tomorrow's rain forecast may again allow sloth until later. Expect to remain in Gibraltar area until at least Friday awaiting clearing. Notwithstanding limited experience of Gibraltar town it seemed way cool and demands additional revue. We did go to botanical garden/zoo and, of course, patronized a British pub where half of crew sated his extensively frustrated obsession with steak & kidney pie and bitter ale. Need more of same.
Wednesday
Rain. Nada, then bike ride, three episodes of The Crown and bed.
Having farted around with this thing for too long will cut it off, post it late and start again Friday.
Jack & Jan