A walk to Saline Point

Eight of us went for a great walk on Friday along the coastline to Saline Point. It is about a one hour and fifteen minute walk one way. It is a very diverse walk with large shady paths, dry rough rocky paths with cactus and scrubby growth and lovely soft sandy beaches. At the end of the first leg you are rewarded with a great beach to swim and a choice of many inexpensive BBQ spots. The 8€ lunch of BBQ chicken is quite a deal. Michelle opted for a American steak sandwich which turned out to be a broken up hamburger patty in a large bun and the French fries also in the bun. Quite unusual but she ate it all. Sometimes you never quite know what you are going to get when you order in French. 

On Saturday we had some excitement. We had loaded up a lot of laundry and headed out to a large clean and modern laundramat. Normally I just do small bits in a bucket with a plunger but every now and again a really good wash is a must. We got the job done and had great wifi to boot. As we returned to the boat in a wild choppy sea a large catamaran that was anchored ahead of us when we left was drifting by us. At one point there was only a couple feet between us. There were four men on board manually pulling on the anchor chain in order to release the bridle which would allow them to let out more chain. The owners were not on board so they could not start the engines. We immediately started our engine and prepared to move if needed. Just as the cat was bearing down on another smaller yacht a dingy flew up with two guys on it and one of them immediately jumped on board the cat and opened the engine hatches. Next thing you know the engines are running and the boat is under control and we hear the anchor windlass working. According to Laurie on Cat Tales who had a view from the stern it's likely they hot wired the engines. Interestingly they pulled up a rather large Delta anchor and left the neighbourhood!  After some time cruising the anchorage and trying a couple of spots they settled down nearer the shore and in a somewhat sheltered area. I wonder if the owners were surprised? Fortunately we didn't have to up our very deeply buried  Manson Supreme anchor. The winds have been quite strong over the last few days with gusts of around 25-30 knots. So anchors do tend to drag even though you think you are set well. The wild winds do make for great energy though. The new wind generator is working well. 

So as we sit and wait for the weather to lighten up so we can sail we are enjoying our time here.