Friday 22 June 2012

Canaries mile-builder and adventure sail

We are planning a sailing mile-builder down to the Canary Islands next May (2013), the trip will depart from our tidal base in Ayamonte and end in Gran Canaria having cruised down the Moroccon Coastline, stopping in Casablanca, Rabat and Agadir. Before doing a similar return trip some 3-4 weeks later, giving the option for people to stay on and cruise the Islands for a week or two. Excellent opportunity to gain quality miles with Yachtmaster Ocean on a well maintained yacht.
Price will be 850€ p.p for a 10 day trips so please register your interest with Debbie or give her a call to find out more 0034 695 326 184

Monday 18 June 2012

Last chance sailing

We have 1 space remaining on an RYA Competent Crew or Day Skipper course starting on the 1st July. This will be the last sail training course before our summer charter break, missed out on the course, don't worry you can still afloat with our 3 hour sailing trips from Mazarron.
1 space remaining so call Debbie and reserve your place.
Gain RYA qualifications and get afloat in time for summer on our learn to sail week, this special week is available at the great value price of 550€. For more information please call Debbie on 0034 695 326 184 or cheap call from the UK 0872 4260837, so take advantage of low cost airlines flying into Murcia San Javier and join us for a Fun and sunny week afloat.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Homeward bound

El Rubicon is on the final leg of her Tidal sailing adventure, having set sail for Ayamonte and Isla Canela on the 25th March we now find ourselves enroute from Mazarron to the Mar Menor and our home base in Tomas Maestre marina. The adventure has been fantastic, we have sailed in some beautiful areas and met some lovely people. The weather has been testing at times and somewhat cooler than the warm winter climate that we have become accostumed to. Would we do it again - absolutely, in fact we plan to return into Tidal waters next March. So if your looking professional sail training, RYA qualifications, quality sea miles during our sailing mile-building phase and a mini adventure - give Debbie a call to find out more.

Mar Menor access bridge

An update to the bridge opening times, from today the bridge Puente del Estacio which provide access into or out of the Mar Menor will have an additional opening at 22.00 hours, making the first lift 10.00 hours and the final lift of the day at 22.00 hours.
Wishing you fair winds and happy sailing

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Adventure sailing at its best

Where do we start - since leaving Ayamonte on the evening tide we have had a real adventure, the winds have been near perfect, sea conditions kind and with Tim and Ed experiencing their first night sail things were looking up. Some truly amazing stars, an early morning boarding by fierce customs officers and goosewinging up the Gibraltar straits all added to the excitement.
With all of us grinning from ear to ear, we visited out favourite Argentinian Tapas bar in La Linea before spending morning exploring Gibraltar and setting sail just after lunch, we knew it was going to be breezy so set 2 reefs in the main and hoisted the working jib, approaching Europa point the winds hit 35 knots plus and we even had to put another reef in the main, once we got El Rubicon settled she rode the waves and rocketed up the coast to Marbella where we have met up with the crews of Andante and Carpe Diem.
With so much having happened in the last 48 hours, the question is what will be tomorrows highlight. Adventure sailing as it should be with never a dull moment, plenty of fun and amazing sailing - to find out more or book your place on our next adventure, call Debbie on 00 34 695 326 184.

Sunday 3 June 2012

Last week in Ayamonte

Our time in Ayamonte is running out, we are into our last sail training week before re-stocking the yacht and heading towards home next saturday. Of course the adventure will not end there, we will be stopping off in Gibraltar and somewhere on the Costa del Sol before reaching Almerimar and a probable stop in Garrucha to view the new marina and say Hi to Mum who lives a 20 minute drive inland. The thought of being back in Cartagena and Mazarron are exciting although we will be sad to leave this wonderful area behind - albeit we will be back!.
Join us for non-tidal sailing courses and gain Competent Crew and Day Skipper qualifications in the Mar Menor area, we have 1 space remaining for the week commencing 1st July - so give Debbie a call or contact us for more info.

Friday 1 June 2012

Mar Menor Bridge

With summer almost upon us, the sailing world is re-awakening from its winter spell as sailors start to plan their summer adventures, as always the Mar Menor bridge is causing some confusion with its lifting times, at present the opening times are 10.00 hours to 20.00 hours with lifts on the even hours.

Guadiana Adventure

The strong winds subsided and we set off up the river Guadiana that seperates Spain and Portugal, from the moment we cast off the lines in Ayamonte it gave us a sense of adventure that only comes from exploring somewhere new. Passing under the bridge the  river winds it ways North, the scenery is rugged with only a few old farms visible on the river banks. The sound of birds chirping is delightful and we did not appreaciate how noisy they really are until we spent the day on a mooring buoy in Larenjeiras whilst Paul who lives on Uno X fixed our bimini. Paul is an interesting character he does sail and canvas repairs but has also laid a series of mooring buoys available on a monthly basis, he has been on the river for around 12 years having sailed around the World twice and given the chance I believe he would go again.
Slipping from the buoy with newly stitched bimini we headed up river, with welcome shade as the temperature were soaring and the winds eased. Arriving at Alcoutim we were amazed to find space on one of the 3 pontoons, the middle one is reserved for day trip boats bu the other two can be landed on and for 10 euros a night you also get electric and water. There is also a shower and toilet block next to the pontoon and the town is an absolute delight. Very quaint and sleepy it has wonderful walks and the views from the Castle are spectacular.
The birdlife was not as abundant has we had hoped but there was still plenty to see, especially on some of the footpaths that lead down the river beach. Overall it is a great place to spend a few days and detach yourself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, some cruisers we spoke to have been there for over 15 years - not sure I could stay that long but it is a very beautiful place indeed. especially for those that crave isolation - the only downside was the amount of debris in the upper reaches of the river. Is it a place I would return to - absolutely, to view pictures on the area visit our facebook page