Passage to Gibraltar and some time on Main street

paperweights in Gibraltar
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So our passage to Gibraltar was pretty crazy. We had lots of weather - big waves, 30+ knots of wind - Argo was taking water over the bow regularily, and going under at least 2-3 feet. On top of that, once we were near Gibraltar, we were making approx 2 knots due to current and tidal stuff...in any case, we got here, just 12 hours later than planned. It was lots of fun, though a bit rough, as the girl's 6-man (where I bunk) hatch was leaking whenever we were on a starboard tack. This meant that we'd be heeled over in a way that I could sleep without spilling onto the floor, but each wave we took would send water droplets cascading down onto my left side and head. When we tacked over to port, there'd be this lovely lull where the boat would flatten out, I'd get a moment of bliss (forget getting any *real* sleep, as it were) and then fight gravity as we settled into a port tack. This had me nearly spilling to the floor, lying in the wet spot, and tense. But it's all in good fun! We all got pretty wet, but that's why we have wonderful good foul weather gear. The fleece pants I purchased back in Palma were a god-send and much enjoyed. Other notable things about passage were the couple times we saw whales (pilot whales, I think) and a few dolphins - one we saw at night and it was cool seeing his tail/wake kick up phosphorecents (it's like the dust on the highway of the water....heh.). love me anyway, despite some bad writing.

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In any case, when we arrived in Gibraltar, it was about 4 PM in the afternoon. The rock is awesome - and the view incredible. Sailing in you get to do a full passby of the rock and you see a mosque purched on the tip of the island - facing Mecca. Oddly enough, I didn't hear any calls to prayer today, but I'm sure that'll change when we reach Morocco (next stop!! so excited).

This morning we did some boat appreciation (rocked it, because we finished an hour early), then had the rest of the day to explore. I didn't get out of the Marina until after noon - it was raining pretty hard, too, so I didn't make it to see the apes. Next time, though. I had a good day with 5 others getting some good fish and chips (Gibraltar's British), a strongbow with currant (shh don't tell the program staff - saw one of the brits drinking it and it looked good, so it was really just a cultural exchange thing. I benefited, but I don't think she ever knew) and a very very good irish coffee as dessert. Picked up some postcards, did some walking around. There's a glassblowing studio here and we got to watch one of the master guys make a glass fish sculpture - very cool. Walked along main street and did some window shopping and indulged in some very tasty soft serve. I purchased some floss. Exciting, as I've been out and using others' (non waxed non minty) floss, and that just wasn't cutting it. I miss my sonicare, I gotta say.

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We had dinner back at the boat, and tonight most folks are working on some papers for the OCE class I'm not taking. We have fresh water showers here, so I topped off my cleanliness and hopped on the wireless. I've stocked up some postcards to write while on passage across the Atlantic. We'll be on that lovely body of water soon. I'm excited for it. We're headed to Africa tomorrow!