5/18/05
Hi from Tapestry
This morning we motored out of the marina at Velez at about
8 a.m. Julie and
Dick were much better. The wind had died and all my concern about backing from
our slip proved not to be a problem. In the Med we found flat seas. Our
initial goal was Motril, 27 nautical miles from Velez, but pushing our engines
to the limits, we found ourselves there at about noon, so continued to motor
'til about five when we reached Almerimar. We had discovered favorable currents
along the way and had averaged nearly 8 knots for the trip, well over our usual
6.5.
Almerimar is an unusual marina, by American Standards. It is built around a
number of lovely condominiums, all with docks out front. Within easy walking
distance of the boat are 2 supermarkets, 4 chandleries, 2 internet cafes,
numerous bars and restaurants and other amenities from salons to car rental
places. There are, of course, heads and showers conveniently placed. I really
don't know, but I would guess the marina houses between 500 and 1000 sailboats
and numerous smaller power boats as well. What about cost? This is the Costa
del Sol, after all. In May it cost us just 6 Euros, about 10 dollars per night
for a slip w/o water or electric, for our 35 foot boat. Water is free, electric
is about 3 Euros per day with a 40 eruo deposit for the adaptor. We think it
is quite a deal.
Along the way today we saw thousands of greenhouses covered with huge plastic
tarps. The Costa del Sol is where they grow virtually all the vegetables used
in the rest of Europe. Some of the mountains along the North Coast of the Med
are 2500 metres high! There is still snow on top in May. But the temperatures
along the coast are in the 70's each day. It appears to be always sunny. Even
when there is strong wind, the sun (or moon) is bright. Wolfham, in the boat
next to us, tells us that they had the last force 9 gale two weeks ago and winds
should moderate from now on. We sure hope so!
Of course there are towns and condos and the occasional tower or castle or
fort along the coast, which adds interest to the scenery. I have been impressed
with the ancient terraces that have been carved out of the sides of the hills
and mountains, Many of them are unused, very eroded and barely visible, but
what work it must have been for men to carve them out of these rugged hillsides!
The color of the hills is brown. Unlike May in most of the U.S., this is dry
Spain. There are a few dark evergreens, but for the most part the landscape
is
brown and beige, very little green.
Hank and Julie