Maintenance Month

Garrucha is an odd sort of place.  A Junta de Andalucia run marina with recently extended pontoons with a capacity of 700 and next to zero boats, served by one porta cabin accommodating two loos and two showers.  So much for the standard J de A pricing structure, however well situated for a comfortable stop over and a swim off the beach in water of 31 degas. The picturesque and underwater sea life of our Cabo de Gata anchorage made up for it twice over. There were more varieties of fish than we have seen anywhere in the Med.  Even spotted a ray. Apparently a marine preservation area too, as the Guardia Civil fast boat patrol captain explained to us when trying to move us on. Fortunately we had anchored right on the boundary of the park and his will weakend quicker then ours.  Next morning we motored in light winds to Almerimar in preparation for our planned long maintenance stop.  Generator was duly inspected by the local Nauticomobil mechanic and pronounced suitable for in boat repair. Phew! So next day and four hours later he had removed the aluminium oil sump which had failed along the salt water channeling and off to the welder it went. Two days later everything refitted and the generator serviced and working again. Lucky because the day after we had booked flights to UK to sort out a number of administrative matters.  The British September weather was kind to us (the driest September on record??) and the introductory programme of Strictly Come Dancing series was a delight. A bit of normality in our lives. We returned to Spain on the 18th September to do battle with the water maker.  Our German engineer of many talents was able to strip the membrane housings down and find new replacements while we were away. Alas, when refitted and under high pressure it became obvious that one of the resin end caps was leaking slightly and having stripped it down again exposed a hairline crack. Sch...a he said! After five days and potentially another five for spare parts from Holland we decided on a complete refurbishment in UK to arrive for us in the Canaries at the end of October. The water maker saga will continue......  So, after 26 days in total in Almerimar we departed on Sunday the 28th September for Gibraltar. Two days behind schedule (not the adventure training schedule that is!).  We said a farewell to our German friends on Blue Bear and Zora completing final preparations for their winter out-of-water lay up.