In the transition season of April and early May, the weather
around this part of the Med turns unstable and there are frequent showers and
gusty winds. Sitting in our boat we listen to the wind howling through the
riggings, the noise reminding us of the gale-ridden April we had last spring in
the Aegean . Last year we thought we had left
port too early in the season, so this year we decided to stay in the marina
longer and to enjoy life in and around Barcelona .
Our French sailing friends Francois and Nicole came to visit us, and then they
further invited us to visit them and stay at their apartment in the southern
city of Perpignan .
After a 2-hour train ride and a 30 minutes drive, we were in a different
country! During our 3-day stay, our friends drove us all around the surrounding
area, and we had a wonderful time visiting a number of beautiful coastal cities
and castles nestled in mist-shrouded mountains. Francois also showed us his
favorite sailing grounds in the Cape
Creus
The quaint city of Perpignan
Dinner time! Francois is a great cook and Nicole is a
wonderful host.
The monastery at St. Michel de Cruixa
Hiking at Cape
Creus
And then finally it’s time to prepare our boat for departing
Barcelona . We
need to haul out Three Rivers, clean her bottom and give her a few coats of
anti-fouling paint. Most of our marina friends have left by now; some headed
west to exist the Med, some ventured east towards France
and Italy ,
and some sailed south to the Belearic islands. The marina feels deserted now.
It’s an interesting, nomadic life.
Ben working hard for a change
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