Mindemoya Log

9/13 Leaving Gibraltar.

Spent 2 weeks here. More than a week too long. You could see it all in three days. But we accomplished lots on Mindemoya and gathered good information.

First Med mooring experience. See Sara walk the lines from bow to pier from 1 meter above it to a meter below it. Learned the best and worst times to leave the boat.

Jobs completed:

• Tuned engine professionally.
• Installed new tachometer (took 10 days to arrive)
• Installed new oil pressure gauge and alarm
• Purchased and installed 220V shore power system
• Removed and disposed of entire holding tank System in order to eliminate the odor from it. Left 2 hoses of Y valve which still smell. They are gone.
• Stopped leak in sea cock after 6 tries
• Installed new 220V 12amp battery charger
• Replaced forward bilge pump, fondly called Aft Jacuzzi
• Purchased European mobile phone with infra-red capabilities so we can email from the boat.

Reaquainted ourselves with old friends from Horta, Azores, Jenni and Ian and Mary and Duncan.

Climbed to the top of the Rock with Ian and Jenni - Who says We aren't mountain climbers- looked the apes in the eye, Photographed their babies, explored St. Michaels cave, And heard Beethoven's Ninth in it's natural auditorium. Followed the seige tunnels blasted out in mid 1700s.

Shopped the Spanish market in La Linea by walking across the Airport run way into Spain.

Met and conversed with many interesting cruisers, some going In and going out of the Med.

Purchased and consumed good bottles of wine. All time favorite Is still Basalto from Pico, Azores.

Trekked to the east side of the Rock for Paella Held or attended nearly nightly cocktail parties, receiving lots Of good advice about cruising the Med.

Purchased used Seven Seas Cruising Association flag from new Friends on A Bientot and are proudly flying it for a year Of living aboard before we qualify to be commodores Already done the 3000 mile trip. Current burgees on the Port are Welsh dragon, Women Aboard, and Seven Seas.

Checked mail every day but post office was backed up over three Weeks. Only 1 package arrived but we have a friend in Gib Who will foreward whatever arrives for us.