Back to the boat

Morning coffee with our friend John from "Osprey"

Well more work, poor Don I can hear you say but he enjoys it!
Luckily for us our friend John drove from the UK and bought out all the things we bought from the boat show, its a good job really as the plane may have had trouble taking off.

Don's retirement present from his workmates, "The Thinker" just like Don

So the work started, the watermaker is bolted down now, to be installed in Gibraltar.

The advantage is you didn't have to reach far to have a drink

The freezer, what a major job,  trial fits which meant the existing fridge freezer being taken out and was put on top of the sofa.

Not a jack in the box but a Don in the box

On the left hand side is the awkward spot where the new box is now

I found Don several times in "the hole" but cables and pipes had to be re located before the box was fitted.

The insulation had to be fixed in place which was tricky to say the least having so little space. We used a car jack to lift the box into place and held it in with clamps.

This shows some of the freezer plate which had to be bent into shape.

The black insulation

Lifting the box with the car jack

So now  those jobs are done we couldn't believe the time had come we were about to leave Cartagena.

We did have some "weather" so much rain but we were able to go out later.

Oh boy did it rain.

Part 2 UK trip

Ok so these posting are an indulgence, not much about the boat but was the lead up to our trip, forgive me.

We left Plymouth to drive back to East Midlands airport where Don took his flight to see his Mum and sister Lisbet in Glasgow. He stayed for 4 days while I stayed with Mum again in Weston Coyney.

Mum and I went out for dinner at Spot Gate a pub restaurant where they have very old railway carriages as dining rooms, all very cosy with huge comfy chairs. I seem to remember the place many years ago it was always so busy you have to book way in advance but we were quite lucky. While I was at Mums the weather did it's usual thing, hailed again just to remind me of what I'm missing about the UK.

I'm sure the UK saves the hail for my arrival 

Mum eating lunch at the "Spotgate" in the old railway carriage 

Just as it used to be

After leaving Mums to collect Don from East Midlands we drove to Birdham Marina near Chichester, its the oldest marina in the UK. We stayed with Steve and Lizzie on Seraph they made us very welcome. We slept on the table in the saloon not under it lol, quite comfortable though. On the Saturday we all went to the Southampton boat show which was pretty quiet, quite a relief though as we had lots to do, we ordered the self steering Hydravane which should keep us on track, we hope. That will be delivered to us in Gibraltar where Don will install it. When we returned to the marina we had an amazing surprise, there was a spitfire flying about performing a smashing show, Steve said they had arranged it just for us, hmm.

Don with Lizzie walking about in Birdham marina

We bought quite a bit from the show and had to return the following day and bought even more, I think we carried so much stuff we grazed our knuckles on the ground. On the Saturday night we walked through the lanes to a restaurant to eat and have a few drinks, staggered back to the boat and quaffed a bottle of bubbly.
On the Sunday night we had booked into the Holiday Inn hotel which is quite close to the airport. John our friend came to us and loaded up all the goodies we had bought so that made things so much easier to return. The taxi was waiting our delayed flight at Murcia and bought us safely back here.

There is so much more to tell about the trip but time is so very short now.
We plan to leave Cartagena on Monday and just hope the weather will be kind to us, we are booked into Gibraltar on the 8th Of October.

Next post soon
Byeeeee

Just where does the time go???

Here you go again making excuses, I can hear you saying it.
Well sorry but finding the time to update the blog has been difficult to say the least, its just past 5 in the morning and the body clock is shot to bits now.

Ok a rundown of the last 3 - 4 weeks.
I met Myra in Alicante airport to hand over her car she had return from her trip to South Africa and a visit to the UK. We had arrange our flights on the same day so at least we had a couple of hours to chat and give one another big hugs.

Myra we almost forgot a photo we were in the car park

A 13 day manic Uk visit,
first 2 nights and 1 day with my Mum.
A full day driving for me from Stoke on Trent down to collect the finally retired Don from Heathrow followed by the drive to Plymouth just over 10 hours in total drive to see the kids and more "boat shopping"
Another drive to East midlands airport to drop Don from where he went to Scotland to see his Mum and sister for 4 days.
I stayed with my Mum until Don returned then I drove to Birdham Pool Marina to stay with Steve and Lizzie and visit the boat show in Southampton. Thankfully we booked flights back from Southampton and had booked a taxi to bring us back from Alicante to Cartagena.

Since the return its been non stop work!

It was nice to see Mum of course we went shopping for a new outfit for her as she was going to a christening, this was a very short visit. I didn't take any photos until the return.

When I collected Don at Heathrow it was a very special, at last retired, the poor thing laden down with heavy bags. We were both quite emotional, he told me the touching story of the farewell together at work before he left and about the guys comments. We stayed on the Hoe in Plymouth a small B&B, a great location not too far out of the city and from Vivien and Andy.

Plymouth has some trendy places to eat and some traditional places too but oh heck the prices are so expensive. Tapas seem to be the "in thing" who can afford to pay £15.95 each for a Paella and Tapas for 2 at £26.95 we have no idea. I did that the place wasn't very busy though so we went to the Tanners brothers gin place to eat which was lovely.

The following day was spent visiting chandlers looking at things we needed to bring back then collected the boys Callum and Alfie, both looking a little bewildered why we were there at the school.

While we were in Plymouth we had another celebration, our 7th wedding anniversary so we met up with Andy, Bill (Andy's dad) Viv and the kids and went out for a meal which was great fun. The boys had a chocolate feast afterwards too.

Choc fest

Choc fest

Viv with the boys, Callum and Alfie

 

Viv with a Yummy pudding 

Who is under the table then ???????

This is the end of part 1

All shiny and new, well almost

More progress, looking a little more "ship shape" now.

Over the last couple of weeks lets just say I have been busy, scrubbing decks and have had some help to have the hull polished which looks great.

If you look closely you can see your face in this, lol. 

I have  been busy making some fender covers thanks to a friend obtaining the kits for us, they had to be adjusted somewhat so out came the sewing machine. Of course it took a little time to clean the fenders before but well worth it. They now have new ropes to hang them with and now proudly sit attached to the guard rails.

My next sewing project is to make slip covers for the seats in the cockpit then make some hanging pockets to store things like binoculars, sunglasses and bits and bobs.
We now have the "running rigging", new ropes, (halyards, sheets) sitting waiting for Don to splice and attach when he returns. The liferaft is here too.

Cartagena is still very warm, I don't see many people about now everyone is staying out of the heat including me. Lots of boats have either gone or planning to do so very soon, at least we have exchanged e-mails and call signs so we will hopefully meet up along the way.

Its less than 2 weeks to go now before I see Don who will be RETIRED AT LAST!
We have a UK trip planned then back to finish a few more jobs before we set off, I CAN'T WAIT.

Madrid and the US visa

Hi this is for the benefit of anyone finding themselves in the same position as me. Mind you it will give you some idea of the trip I took around Madrid.

Our trip planned includes the US so we both need a US visa, Don applied in the UK as he is "resident" in the UK. As I am resident in Spain it meant a trip to Madrid.
The procedure leaves you without a passport so flying there is an option but returning without one is not possible, so I travelled both ways by train which takes roughly 5.5 hours. On board there were drinks and a meal included in the better ticket, I spent the hours listening to music and reading, engrossed in 50 Shades of Grey.

I arrived in Madrid and took a 10 minute taxi ride to the hotel Petit Palace which is on Calle Serrano, the same as the US embassy. It is a very old hotel but had a decent room with a great bathroom, full bath with a power shower which I took advantage of immediately to cool off.

Huge bed, a bit hard but I was so tired I hardly noticed

Lots of bubbles, luxury!

I then walked to the embassy which took around 15 minutes
comfortable walking, it had to be in that heat, even at 7.30 it was around 38 deg C.

My appointment was at 10.15 the following morning, I guessed it would be very busy so I arrived at 9.45 expecting them to say you are too early but no I was admitted into the security checkin. I'd forgotten I was wearing my belt which set of the alarm, great fun. So I stood in a que for a number, 10 minutes I was number A115. Right ok now fill in the delivery envelope, no problem there, then sat for 35 mins ish for the first bit when they take the paperwork, photos and passport away and was asked what was the reason for entering the US with the B1 B2 visa so thats where the boat bit came into play. Normally travelling to the US by plane the airline and the Esta visa solves this so thats why the B1 B2 is needed, it lasts 10 years as opposed to a 2 year Esta. Then another sit for 40 minutes and wait to be called again to have my fingerprints of both hands done. Followed by another 45 minute wait  for the interview which was not a problem, my interviewer a very pleasant guy saw Don as my travelling buddy and tried desperately to pronounce Braendekilde without success, I can say it but never remember how to spell it, so glad he didn't ask me, he did giggle a bit trying to keep a straight face. Then he checked the boat registration papers which thankfully I took with me. When you go to things like this its good to be loaded with every bit of paper you can find that they may ask for but a gas inspection for the house was useless, well you never know!
Not much more asked but he said your visa application is approved which left me smiling but I thought a big YES was inappropriate inside the embassy so I saved it until I went outside. So roughly 2 and a bit hours well spent, those guys can teach the Spanish Correos a thing or two about queuing, I should say maybe with over 100 people in there.

So I returned to the hotel dumped all the paperwork in the safe and walked my legs off around Madrid. I think I must have walked for miles it was only when I sat down to eat and stood up I realised I had done way too much. Thankfully it was only a 10 minute walk to the hotel.

Madrid the trip:
Walking to the main area I passed the majestic National Library building on Plaza de Colón Square, very impressive as are most of the buildings.
Plaza de Colón is home to the main Barclays bank in Spain. 

The library

Some shady walkways, essential when its 40 deg C.

I did go by most of the museums but not inside like the Prado, the lack of time, queues and the price put me off and there was no one I fancied looking at anyway. There are a few statues outside one of which is Goya.

Goya Looks like he was a handsome chap.

 

The Mad Hatter, all alone

What is it with the Spanish, naked people lying about just where they fancy!

I did visit Plaza de Cibales which houses the city hall a huge building which has 8 levels, looked around looking at photographs of the building many years ago, it was nice and cool in there.

They look like original tiles from Jerez

 

Next to that building is the Correos I had to post a letter, I'm impressed no queues, very bright and airy.

The Bear in the strawberry tree.
"El Oso y El Madroño"
Madrids emblem they used to be in great numbers many years ago

I was really thinking of joining him to cool off!

Browsed El Cortes Ingles and bought a new collapsable case with wheels in the sale a massive 60% off, maybe they couldn't sell it as it's bright orange, at least if it goes into the hold I will see it on the belt when it comes out.

Had a smashing steak at "The Block House" they specialise in steaks.

The following day I packed my new case then a taxi to the other train station Chamartin via taxi, it has a shopping center inside which was great fun, I did manage to restrain myself.

Return journey back was uneventful, the countryside is so dry and dusty I saw a couple of "dust tornados" so did more reading and music.

Conclusion: A successful trip, and I LOVE MADRID, mind you to go when its not the height of summer would be a much better idea.
Sorry its a bit long winded but I have so many memories and photographs.
Bye for now