Jun. 28, 2007 - Rio Gaudiana

28th June 2007

Well now, wasn't this just well worth the effort. This morning in all too touristy Isla Canela. Left there probably 10ish, motored back across to Ayamonte then up the river Gaudiana. Few miles up from Ayamonte breeze kicked in so sailed pretty much all the way (about 20 miles or so, log only started working last few miles). FANTASTIC.

 portugal to the left of me, Spain to the right (here I am, stuck in the middle wi....)

Gybed all the way up with just the jib. Now oh so quiet apart from a few wavelets off the hull, slight wind noise from wind gen and breeze rustling reeds on either side of river. Stars overhead, Venus just set over the hill to the west. Anchored up just downstream of Alcoutim on the Portuguese side and Sanlucar on the Spanish side.  So much the better for it, crickets and cicadas give the night air a constant zing, unknown animals grunt and splash and squeek on the riverbanks. I catch a couple of barbel after tea but feel guity not knowing if you can eat them or not so they go back in and rod goes away. Salami on the hook means I can eat the bait if not the fish. Dogs barking in the night air, another splash of some unseen animal or bird on the riverbank.

Tomorrow might push even further up river, met a couple of expats in canoes as I was anchoring, upriver from here becomes even more untouched, crikey there'll be dinosaurs next. As I write this I keep popping head out of the hatch, special! Heady smell of eucalyptus or something like that, zing of crickets. And all free for the cost of a boat and an anchor. If tonight was a one off then you could argue that is a pretty hefty price tag but somehow I think there's plenty more to come. Bring it on. Just don't expect me to rush, got all the time in the world....

29th June 2007

Another day at anchor. Portugal an hour behind Spain if you're unlucky enough to look at a clock. Wonder if the roosters know that. Wasn't awake early enough to find out. A flock of azure winged magpies are having a party in the trees on the Spanish side of the river where I'm anchored. Must get some piccies of them, got piccy of red-legged partridge while having a "I’m in a new place lets explore" morning walk earlier.

Some golden Orioles here as well. Good job I've got digital camera, 99% delete rate.

Getting a bit arty with Photoshop!!!!

Industrious afternoon, cleaned bilges after a minor flood a few days ago. Top tip, when leaving the boat turn off the water to the hose, because hoses having a certain intelligence and being somewhat malicious will manage to spit off the nozzle and after flaying around for a moment like some Harry Potter serpent will then somehow shove itself down the nearest open hatch, which of course is the one you left open into the main cabin on your boat. All this while you enjoy an innocent glass of wine. Next visit to B & Q remember this and be wary in the garden tools section, they will be watching you. But at least it was fresh water and bunk cushions dry quickly in the sun. Nice clean bilges again as well.

Heads clean and working again as well. Dripping inlet pump seems fine again after I threaded the flange nut the other day. Polysulphide sealant is a wonderful thing, shall rejoice if kitchen paper under it stays dry overnight. And shower hose even works again after it developed a leak, just a washer needed reseated. Phew, I though that lot was going to take a month, at last a bit of luck.

All for now, this being posted as i sit under a tree on some generous souls wifi in Alcoutim. And, yes, the sun is shining.