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Liz here again! We are anchored in the Mar Menor (an inland sea just North of Cartagena). A French couple who we were friends with stopped by the night before we left for a drink (or few) and mentioned kindly that I spoke good French! I think my accent was better for a couple of red wines! Our trip here from Cartagena was lovely - we set off early in the morning, and after getting refuelled (with no leaks from the newly repaired tanks) we mostly sailed here, getting to the lifting bridge with half an hour to spare. We anchored in about 2 metres in a very very tight spot to wait for the bridge and have lunch. By the time the bridge started lifting there were tons of boats all jostling to get in line for the narrow entrance to the Mar Menor, below the lifing bridge. I helmed with John, Ellen and Anna helpfully shouting 'mind the rocks just here' and ' they'll have to get out of your way'. We met another cat coming the other way but there was just room for the two of us! Once into the Mar we motored into headwinds (strong ones) to the southern tip to get some protection from the shore. We were making only 2 knots against the headwind so it took us ages, but we found our spot and anchored in 2 meters, with plenty of chain and rope down, holding with no problems. While we were anchoring there were mad windsufers zipping all round us seemingly having no idea that we were there! Luckily we managed not to run any over - more luck than judgement I think!We chose our spot according to the conditions, but also knowing there was another largeish cat here belonging to a man called Chris who we had met in Cartagena. Also another boat we know had anchored here during the summer and found it to be a good anchorage.The anchorage is just off a beach belonging to a caravan site - which is ideal for us as there are showers, toilets, clothes washing, parks and a supermarket. Chris (with the other cat) has been bringing us water most days (he has a caravan on the site as well as a catamaran). We decided that a job of importance was to get the propellors and the bottom of the boat clean, and as we were anchored in very shallow water (we could walk round the boat some days) we got to work. Scraping the barnacles off was a tough job, even on the water line, but sitting on the sea bed, wedged under the boat getting sliced hands wasn't much fun - but quite satisfying. I also managed to sit on a jellyfish which made it even less fun! However, the job is mostly done now so we are hoping for a little bit of extra speed - especially under engines.Since we have been here, Anna has learned to like the dingy (named 'little helix come back'), and Ellen has got into swimming off the boat ('I'm out of my depth' said with a huge grin). Anna is doing well with her swimming from the beach and is quite confident when the mood takes her!About 2 days ago there was an incredible thunder storm - about 3 really - going on for hours with torrential downpours and lightning crashing all around us. Unfortunately we have discovered that not all the windows are waterproof at all - and had to spend the rest of the day drying out ours and the girls beds. Our next most important job is windows! My fear of getting struck by lightning hasn't improved yet, but as before john and the girls enjoyed it. I have since discovered that there is a homeopathic remedy for fear of thunder which I will try next time (and one for insect bites as well - which I am running out of!). The storm washed incredible amounts of mud down into the sea, which appeared as a patch of filthy water which engulfed us. It is settling now, but the mud underfoot when swimming from the beach is very squoggy.There are loads of windsurfers here as I mentioned and we have had fun watching them and a couple of kite surfers and the odd hobby cat and dingy run around us. John and I were lucky enough to get a go at windsurfing (after John went in the dingy to rescue a lady in a topa dingy) which was easier than we both expected (probobaly as the guy who was lending us his board was very good at explaining how it is done). It was great fun and we would both like to do more!We also met a woman who lives in Marbella who does Shiatsu and knows lots of people I know! Small world!We are planning to move on to another place in the Mar Menor in the next couple of days, it is easy here and convenient, but doesn't feel very Spanish at all (it being a holiday park!)
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