9th to 13th September

On Tuesday we continued to pack up Imagine and took off the mainsail. The other two sails came off on Wednesday and both engines were serviced. From the dinghy Lucinda cleaned the hulls. The dinghy was then washed and dismantled. On Thursday we went to Reus to see the Gaudi museum which is a modern glass box, most unlike Gaudi's architecture. We discovered it was the national day of Cataluyna. Like the Scottish they have a vote coming up on national sovereignty. Unlike the Scottish vote it appears to be unofficial and non binding. We were up early on Friday to have a final flush of the heads before motoring to the other side of the marina where Imagine was lifted out. Her bottom was pressure washed and she was transported to her winter berth. I changed the anodes and put anti freeze in the engine seawater coolant circuit. We discovered the expensive 10 year anti foul was flaking and some screws have sheered off on the propellers. There's always something. On Saturday I took off the propeller to send back to be repaired. We packed, cleaned and tidied, and Imagine is now ready to be left for 7 months.

Over the winter the anti fouling will be touched up, the heater serviced, the seat and lazy bag repaired. On Sunday we will drive to Bilbao and try to get there in time to visit the Guggenheim. We have Monday to explore Bilbao further. On Tuesday morning we board the ferry for the overnight ferry to Portsmouth. We have already made provisional plans for next year. We will be back late April 2015.

8th September

Lucinda counted in 42 fishing boats over 90 minutes while we were at anchor.

8th September

Our last sail this season, and it wasn't much of one. We had the sails up briefly and made for the anchorage a few miles out into the lagoon. Once there I carried on clearing out the lockers and sorting out what needed to stay and what to take off. Yesterday's paper extolled the virtues of a siesta while in Spain. A good idea for another day. We filled the tanks with diesel and went to our berth for the last time. If all goes to plan we will next leave here on Friday to go to the boatyard on the other side of the marina. Once there we will be lifted out for the winter.

7th September

Today we headed for the hills. Morella is a medieval fortress town. The castle is built into and on top of the rock. Below it on one side lies the town, cosseted like a babe in arms by the outer rampart walls. We ground our way up to the top and were rewarded by the view of the surrounding countryside. Back in the village we had the set menu. It was cooler up at over 1000 metres. Back on the boat I started work sorting out the storage lockers.

6th September

We're starting to wind down now. After stocking up in the supermarket we motored 2 miles out into the lagoon and dropped anchor for lunch. When the temperature dropped a bit in late afternoon we tried out the new electric outboard. The wind was perfect for wafting down the lagoon under gennaker before heading back into the marina.

5th September

We headed off early back to Sant Carles where Imagine will remain for the winter. The first few hours we motored. A low black cloud was in our path and as we entered it's shadow it dumped it's accumulated water on us. At least the decks were cleaned. As forecast a light breeze appeared, typically it was blowing directly over our bows. Later the sun came out and the wind veered round. Engines off we sailed the last 20 miles. As we entered the shallow lagoon where Sant Carles is situated we encountered the fishing fleet heading for home. There were about 25 white and blue, red and green hulls all powering as though they were in a race. And perhaps there was a race to be first back. We were wallowing around under sail as one pair headed in our direction. One passed closely to port, the other missed us by a whisker to starboard. It only became apparent at the last moment that the boat to starboard was under autopilot with no one keeping a lookout. The sailors in the stern looked as shocked as we felt as they skimmed past. We will probably go out once or twice into the lagoon and then pack up. The engines are booked for a service on Wednesday and we are scheduled to be lifted out and placed on the hard on Friday.

4th September

Tarragon is as far north as we will be going. It was only 18 miles but it was hard work ploughing into seas with the texture of rough icing and the colour of lead, grey and dull. Inevitable the wind was against us and the low clouds dark and full of rain. We were intending to stay three nights. When I was told how much it would cost I was tempted to leave immediately. We will, however, leave early tomorrow and head back to Sant Carles. We can come here by car if necessary. We spent the afternoon looking round the old town. The Roman walls are magnificent and the amphitheatre interesting. The medieval cathedral has been restored to pristine magnificence. After all that culture it was supper on board and early to bed.

3rd September

Yesterday was Arthur's first birthday. He ate 18 chips for lunch. We continue to head north. We skirted the shallow and swampy Ebro delta, continued past the nuclear power station and arrived in Hopitalet de L'infant. On the way we saw birds eating fish, fish jumping out of the water, people fishing from big boats and small boats. The marina is a medium size but with few boats as big as ours. We were accommodated overnight on the waiting pontoon. The place feels like a ghost town with boarded up shops and restaurants, and long silent and empty walkways and parking lots.

2nd September

No major problems since Paul left. We headed further north in very light winds. The sail assisted the engine for the last few miles to Vinaros otherwise it was motoring all the way.

1st September

Yesterday was Lucinda's birthday. Congratulations and commiserations were gratefully received. Today was hot and windless. We motored back north and ended up in Castillon. Outside the harbour was a collection of smallish tankers and floating oiling buoys to service the tanks lining the shore just short of the harbour. The outer harbour was a sizeable freight facility where containers were being unloaded. There are two marinas in the far corner. We moored stern to where directed by the marinero at the Royal Club Nautico. We got settled, put out the passarelle and headed to the office. They said we could stay but only if we moved pontoons and paid a large fee. I decided to try the marina a short distance away. This was almost deserted and nearly as expensive. The town is some 4km from the port. We waited 40 minutes for a bus then wandered aimlessly round the deserted streets unable to find a restaurant. On the outskirts of town I had spotted a Wok which several people had recommended to us. It was a vast cavern of a Chinese restaurant serving help yourself, and help yourself again, Chinese buffet. We waited 30 minutes for a bus that didn't come. I called for a taxi which, given my non existent Spanish, miraculously arrived where we were waiting. The marina gates were shut. We pressed the bell and waited patiently for the night watchman to appear. He looked at us quizzically, raised his eyebrows and slid the unlocked gate aside.