The story of Topaz Rival

Going into Day 4 in Garrucha with only a temporary fix likely for the dirty fuel tank problem. The fuel tank is almost impossible to access without chopping great holes in the boat so we have an interim solution of a larger external tank with the return pipe...

Given the engine problems in Aguadulce, I opted to pick up Dawn in a hire car from Alicante airport on Monday night. Meanwhile, earlier in the day the mechanic had identified the problem as diesel bug in the fuel and cleaned out the pipes to the fuel filter...

Moving on from yesterday's disaster, I called the Spanish Rescue Services for advice on getting a tow to a marina where I could get the engine fixed. They were super efficient and in less than an hour I was being pulled by a big orange lifeboat towards...

It looks peaceful enough. Dinghy on the beach and the boat happily at anchor. But it belies a pretty horrible day beforehand. I shouldn't really have left the sanctuary of Almerimar and ventured out on Thursday, but I was emboldened by the prospect of the...

It’s time for Robin to go home tomorrow and we are in the very large Almerimar marina. Seems a very relaxed place with a sizeable liveaboard community. All services are also available as well as a tempting chandlery. Not a bad place to stay for a couple of...