NZ14:Days 1-4-Nov 20th-23rd~Travel & Bay of Islands to Mangonui

Day 1
On the 19th I had decided to change the time of my train to the 1521 from the 1717 - just in case it was delayed on the way down with 'leaves on the line' or some other bizarre British Rail excuse. As it happened, there were no delays, but you never know, do you?
The next day (Nov 20th & Day 1) I worked until 1300, went to see Mum, gave Kuni a long cuddle - well, I wouldn't see either for a month & both are pretty old. 
Of course, Opal didn't want a cuddle, but that's Opal for you!
I'd ordered my taxi at 3, but it was late (I stood out on the pavement for > 10 min), & I eventually arrived at the station at 16 past & only just made the train. Not a good start %-|
The next NZ adventure truly started as my train south left BPN at 1521 & I slept a lot (having been up late fiddling with packing, & at work since 0700). Using my Oyster card at Euston, I got the tube via Green Park out to Heathrow. I arrived in plenty of time to eat the food & cider I'd brought to keep me going ~ 2 x banana, a punnet of cherry tomatoes, a bit of leftover lettuce & a couple of kiwi. I had to drink all the cider - it was too big to get through security. Once in the departure lounge, I moseyed round the Duty-Free & sprayed a lot of perfume & used a lot of sample hand & eye cream ready for the dehydrating effects of long-haul flying! I also managed to blag some free samples when I bought some perfume :-D Nice one, Shirl.
Then I heard ivories tinkling & discovered a bloke playing a grand piano - nice tunes, & much better than musak. Sadly, the Costa coffee cost £2.30. You pay for the name, I guess?
It was a Looonnngg walk to the gate & there were lots of Chinese - hardly surprising, given my 1st destination. I had a vanilla latte from a machine while we waited - another £2.50. Gordon Bennett!! I put that down to 'captive audience'. 
The 2230 flight out to Guangzhou boarded at 2200, & once airborne, I watched Mission Impossible-Samurai, & Cloud Atlas. The latter I'd watched in my cabin on the Royal Clipper in April, but the sound & picture had been dire, & I hadn't known what was going on. It was better this time.
Some sleep was involved, too. 
It was a China Southern flight, so I was served some late night Chinese nosh at some point early on, but, unlike Chinese takeaways, I wasn't hungry again within the hour ;-p. 
Also at some point, Day 2 happened, ie November 21st, & having watched a few movies I also watched a documentary ~ Thirsty Work. It was about the NZ wine industry & they mentioned farts - it could only happen on NZ telly. Dontcha just love 'em?
After some more sleep I watched Bear Grills do his wild stuff in the desert, & we landed at Guangzhou at 1830 local time on the 21st.
Despite the free internet apparently on offer, I couldn't get the Sanyo to connect. Bum! Good job I had plenty of sudoku to keep me occupied for the 6 hour stopover.
I went into one of the concourse cafes to get a brew, but they wouldn't take my Amex. Having no Chinese money, I walked out, still thirsty. Boo Hiss.
Repairing to the Ladies I discovered someone had left their cute pink laptop on the sistern, so I took it to the help desk. A good 20 min wait later (while a middle-aged American couple complained), I explained where I'd found it (obviously the girlie hadn't yet realised she'd left it in the loo, or had already taken-off). 
Would you believe it, but the ignorant bugger behind the desk took it without a Thank You. Grrr 
I was coming to dislike the staff at Guangzhou airport.
Still thirsty, I wandered around for a while longer & eventually they called us to board.
Day 3
It was half past midnight on the 22nd when we left Guanzhou, & on board, I made up for lost brews & had triple helpings of wine/tea/coffee during the meal (midnight feast?). I also had the fish. 
Entertainment wise I saw Iceman with Donnie Yen in it. I used to have the DVD of Flash Point & I really wonder who has got it. I'm sure I lent it to Jonny, but he says not. Maybe I'll buy it again? It's got some cracking fights in :-)
Next up was V for Vendetta with Hugo Weaving practising the English accent he'd had as Elrond in LOR, & then an Arrow TV episode. Manu Bennett (who I 1st saw in the Spartacus TV series & last saw as Azog) was in that.
Sleep was involved here too, but I didn't note what we had to eat after the fish. My notes say I also watched 2012 for the last hour, but we landed before the end. Maybe I'll see that on a another plane, one day?
We landed in Auckland at 1620 - 40 min ahead of schedule. In Auckland it took a while to get through Bio-Security, & I nearly got arrested because I had forgotten I had some pears in my ruckie. I must have an honest face, because the customs man let me off with a stern warning not to do it again. 
Once out on the arrivals floor, I called the car hire place, & bought a Vodafone handset I could use in NZ. The sim was valid for 30 days, & it all cost just $49: ie about 20 squid.
The car hire shuttle bloke picked me up, & once the formalities were over, & the car loaded, I set off North at 1810 ~ headed up the SH1. Sunrise to Sunset "The Bar" was on the CD & it was a great drive north.
Wolfstone went in next, & around about Waipu I picked up a couple of hitchers headed for Whangerei - remember WH is pronounced F in Maori?
I think they were off for a night out? Or they'd already had one ~ they whiffed a bit of booze :-/
At Kawakawa I switched the SH1 for the SH11. This was exceedingly windy (ie it wound about a lot, as opposed to having a lot of wind & needing to burp/fart! ;-p )
After a bit of winding I noted the mileometer, & by the time I'd reached Paihia I'd done >20 miles of wiggling. Not good after 2 nights without sleeping in a bed, & driving unknown roads in the dark. Ah well. That's adventures for you ;-)  
Eventually, I pulled up in front of Peppertree Lodge at 2130 & Ryan checked me in.
Then I went across the road to get some food for now & some nibbles for next day. I got a lolly as well, so pudding came before the meat.
A kind Irish fellow hosteller gave me some milk for my coffee - the coffee itself was on the house, & as there was free wifi, while I ate my ham & fruit, I checked in with Gmail & found a message from Julie & Jim who were cat sitting Kuni & Opal with Bat.
Apparently, I'd forgotten to leave keys for them. Fortunately, Bat had some, so I passed on the good news. Blonde moment while panicking about the taxi, obviously!
Next morning was an early start, so I went to sleep very shortly after.
Day 4
I was up early for the Dolphin Discovery 1/2 day trip into the Bay Of Islands. It was nearly raining. ie: that early morning wet mist you get near the coast. I was in shorts with a bikini underneath, but had a waterproof top, just in case.
I checked out for a couple of days (I'd be returning on my way south on the 26th), & found out I could leave the car on the Peppertree street without a ticket or chance of a fine.
The boat was a catamaran, & there was a possible chance of swimming with the dolphins. However, as the lady on the mike (Rhonda) said, there could be no young or pregnant females in the pod if we were to get in the water.
It was at this point I realised the (new) camera was back at the hostel. How stooopid can 1 woman be?
Don't answer that!
At least I had the Nokia on me. Phew.

The 1st of the islands we passed

The Skip was Garry, & after picking up more passengers at Russell (which is across the bay from Paihia), he took us round Tapeka Pt to Motuarohia. This means Beloved apparently. I didn't write down why it was called that.
There is a fairly frequent ferry between Paihia & Russell, & the 1/2 day Dolphin Watchers were told they could get off in Russell at the end of the cat tour, & get a free ride back later in the day. I might have done that, but I was to drive further north that afternoon.

Fellow Dolphin Watchers in shorts

Approaching Motuarohia we were rewarded with a sight of our 1st dolphins :-D

Someone's jetty & beach house on Motuarohia

Another island home, Cook's Cove, Motuarohia

I think this is Motuarohia too?
I should've made better notes!

Pied Cormorants nesting in trees!
You wouldn't think they could with webbed feet!

I took quite a few pics of Motuarohia. Apparently it was the 1st Island Cook came to here.

Next up we sailed past Moturua (Cave Is) & on past Motukiekie (Vine Is) & Urupukapuka. Pukapuka is a tree, & the name means Pukapuka tree grove. It's where the early Maori had lots of gardens, so it's also known as Garden Is. I prefer the Maori name.

Leaving Waewaetorea to port, we then headed across open water to the famous Hole in the Rock, or Motukokako, passing the Sisters & Bird Rock on the way.

Looking back to where we'd been & the low cloud

Motukokako looks a bit like an elephant with its trunk 1/2 in the sea, & the size of the hole varies with the tide. 

Moukokako ~ the hole in the rock

The rock is pretty close to Cape Brett, & there's a DOC hostel just up from a little inlet. Apparently they serve fresh caught fish at meals. Yum. The tramp out there takes 8 hours, so you'd need at least 2 days to do it there & back. I made a note as a possible future excursion, but a year down the line, I doubt I'll ever do it, especially if I'm still adventuring with me, myself & I, as now.

A closer view of the hole

Me in the hole

The hole gets bigger or smaller
according to the tides

Next to Motukokako is Tiheru, which looks a bit like a man's face in profile, but means The Dog in Maori.

 







There was a photo opportunity while we floated around Motukokako, & Lyle - a local Maori guy on the crew, posed for a pic.

Sailing back, most of us went into the cabin - it was a bit wet on deck! 
Then someone told me the ABs were beating Wales at the Millennium by 16 to 34. I never found out what the final score was. A few weeks earlier I had seen the ABs play in Edinburgh, & had persuaded Richie McCaw to give me an autograph :-D 

Hailing from Oamaru, phwoar, phwoar, Richie McCaw
I only heard today (19/11/15) that he'd retired.
Best wishes for the future, Richie

The result that day was Scotland 16: NZ 24, so that means Scotland were more successful in stopping the ABs from scoring than Wales were :-) 
I photographed the autograph earlier today, but can't get the machine to turn it round. Well, you know me & technology ;-p

Back across the bay, by the time we stopped for a while at Urupukapuka the sun had come out. So, while most folk went up the hilltop to the right of the beach where the jetty was, I went left along the beach & had a swim. Such clear water, & as it was sandy underfoot, I swam out via the rocks at the side so my feet would be clear of sand. I had no towel, so I dried my feet & toes with a serviette I had in the bumbag, & walked back to explore.  Urupukapuka is about 500 acres of gentle hillsides & lovely beaches - another idea for a future trip, but again ~ so many places to see, so little time to do it properly :-(
I took the route along the tree line to get up the hill, but just as I was about to take a pic of the view, the Nokia battery died. How pants is that?
Back down the hill the direct way, I bumped into some other passengers who were Dutch & German so I said Goedenmorgen/Guten Morgen etc. As usual, their English was much better than my Dutch/German. In fact, they were conversing in English between themselves. Cool!
At the boat, Garry was feeding a cute little seagull with red legs some bread, & he gave me a bit. It was a pretty little thing, & there would have been a pic - but no battery. Since my Svalbard expedition cruise, I now think it was a red-legged gull, but I checked by sending an E to Pahia, & a nice lady from Paihia said it was. Thanks, Janice :-)

After Urupukapuka we sailed back across to drop off the Russell cruisers, & then moored at Paihia jetty about midday.
I walked back to the car, & chose to stay in the shorts etc. for the drive north. Stopping briefly for another 2 ice-creams, a flat white (NZ for ordinary coffee) & other goodies, I drove along the prom., filled up, bought some avocados from the garage ~ 10$ for a big bag :-), & hit the SH11.
The road went past Haruru Falls road where I'd be going a few days hence - handy to find that out, & joining the SH10, I turned right towards Kerikeri.
I was headed for Mangonui, but seeing a sign for a winery I detoured left & followed the signs. It turns out I took the scenic route! Had I continued along the SH10 for a few miles more, I could've saved myself 5 miles. Never mind, I was 'on me 'ols'

Camera back in hand I took a pic of the nice man
(& his bottles) at Ake Ake

Once there, a nice man showed me the options, & I sampled 6 before choosing my box. 

The six bottles went in the boot with my ruckie, before I set off north again ~ quite a lot of money lighter, but they kept me going for quite a while! 

Thank god for AMEX, eh?

Google informed me Ake Ake is the name of at least 3 types of NZ tree. I don't know if the vineyard is named after one of them

On reaching the main road, I went left, & after passing the turning for Whangaroa ~ just after Kaeo, I did a U-ey & went to have a look.

It was a sleepy village with lots of mangrove-type swampy stuff to either side of the road on the way in, & lots of oyster beds (or something) to the left once the road hit the bay.

Another ice-cream later, I carried on along the shore road to the end, where I did another U-ey. So did a bike combo, who also appeared to be exploring.

There were red bit in this, so as my new
camera had editing features - -

I did this with it

This is a landscape view taken just after the combo
went round the corner

Passing the ice-cream shop/village store on the way out (it was a no-through-road), I saw a sign for Alpacas, so I drove up the hill. 

It eventually turned into someone's drive, & I pulled up outside a house with awesome views over the bay. 

A very stooped lady came to greet me, & once I'd explained I'd come to see the alpacas, she gave me a tour.
They weren't for coming to say Hi, but she said their names were Jennifer, Coppelia, Ophelia, Hagor & Sundance.


 Back at the house she posed while spinning some wool on a Sleeping Beauty style spinning machine, & I bought some alpaca slippers for Mum.

While I used her loo she made a brew, & she told me a bit of her life story.
Then I looked out of her lounge window.
What place to live, eh?

The view from the Alpaca lady's lounge

Sadly, I never got her name :-(, but thanks a lot for being so helpful & friendly.

Halfway back down the hill I stopped for a pic of Whangaroa marina. 
I think Ray & Carol would like it here!

The tide had come in a bit while I was visiting, & there was more water & less mud either side of the road back to SH10. 
Turning right, I headed again for Mangonui & my digs for the night, but on the way saw an amazing rock formation appearing at various positions ahead.
When I transferred my photos onto the PC, I used Google Maps & found out it was called Taratara mountain.

Highly zoomed portrait of Taratara Mountain

It eventually stayed on the left, so I pulled over to take a pic.
As I was using a big zoom I rested the camera on 4 CDs ~ as I had with Ngaurohoe in 2011.
Two pics later I drove off, only to receive a toot from a car going the other way who'd seen the CDs come off the roof.
Enrique's case went for a Burton, & one of my Pitbulls as well. As I was picking them up off the road, the car came back to help. That's Kiwis for you :-D  Back home they would have driven by, having a laugh at your expense.
That was the only car that had passed for the whole time I'd been parked, so it was a good job they noticed & flashed, or more than the cases would have been damaged.

A slightly less zoomed landscape one

By this time I was starting to itch a bit, so I popped an antihistamine with some Bundaberg ginger beer & headed north again. I'd switched to Pitbull's Global Warming before I set off again, & it was blasting out when I turned off the SH10 for Mangonui after crossing the Oruaiti River twice ~ once to the east of Paewhenua Is, & a longer crossing to the west.

View across the inlet from the balcony

The hotel wasn't hard to find - it was right on the front, & looked across the inlet leading off Doubtful Sound.
I checked in at the Mangonui Hotel - what an original name (not), but it did what it said on the tin (to paraphrase the Ronseal TV advert ;-p )

View back the way I'd come from the balcony

View the other way. Like I said,
the hotel was on the front!

I'd been given a single room on the side, & I could just see the little white memorial in the pic.

The room was small, but there was a kettle, so I brewed up, & used all the milk for a coffee.
Wandering out to find some more I came across the balcony, & a trolley containing loads more milk cartons, so I took a load to keep me going on milky coffees & strong teas.

Duly hydrated, I went for a wander to the memorial, & passing back in front of the hotel, popped in to ask about the best place to eat.
She told me about the "World Famous Mangonui Fish & Chip Shop", but I'd never heard of it. She also said their own chip shop would be open at 8, but I was too hungry, & opted for the tourist option.













Passing the pohutakawa, a Maori lady begged me for some dosh, but I lied & told her I only had enough to buy a bag of chips, which, when I saw the prices at the WFMF&CS was nearly not a lie!

The World Famous Fish & Chip Shop

I had to wait a while for my red snapper & chips ~ which was followed by home-made carrot cake, but the view out of the inlet was nice, even though it was cloudy again.
Of course, I took a pic of my dinner before I ate too much of it, & while I was about to climb back on my stool, I got company ~ another little red-legged gull.

So I got a pic of this one.
Cute aren't they :-)

I kept throwing him/her bits of crispy chips, but he/she wasn't to good at taking them in the air. Eventually I had to shut the window, or my dinner would be gobbled by a gull.

Back towards the hotel (with the carrot cake in my bumbag because I was too full to eat it), I saw a cormorant on a rowing boat, so spent a while waiting for it to do the wing-thing they do. 

Eventually I got a nice pic.
I'd've zoomed, but I wanted to get the blue ketch in as well.

Then I managed another with a gull in shot as it flew by. Lucky!

On the way back along the little promenade I read the village notice board, & saw there was a local Scottish Country Dance society. I'd've gone for a dance, but I was there on the wrong night. Next time I go to NZ, I'll see if I can find a similar one wherever I end up, so I'll get my dance-fix in while I'm away.
Back indoors, I brewed up again, & then took the Sanyo down into the bar: I needed to see if Julie & Jim had got a key off Bat. There was nothing on Gmail, so I took no news as good news.
However, there was an E from Kev Smith at work, so I gave him the first of several potted versions of the 'story so far'. When I got back, they told me he'd kept telling everyone what I'd been up to. 
Oops ;-p

By this time my fingers were quite puffy & I could feel the itch was back, so I took a double dose of Tesco's antihistamines.



I also took a couple of pics of the hotel's cockatoo, who was walking around in the bar. 














Back upstairs, I opened the Gewurtz I'd bought at Ake Ake, & drank 2 mugs of it while I did some sudoku in bed. Well, I didn't want to be cheeky & ask for a glass at the bar ;-)
I eventually turned my light out at just before 1.30, but I began to itch again as soon as I got warm in bed, & although I fell asleep eventually, I woke feeling everything was on fire & ended up having a cold shower at just before 4 in the morning.
So endedth the second day of my third trip to NZ.
OAO

Royal Clipper Transatlantic 2014: At Sea 14 & Malaga

Sea Day 14 ~ Sunday April 27th
I missed the 7 o'clock again, but made it on deck for Amanda's 8 am class.

On the way there, I took this sunrise photo.






I had breakfast with 2 fellow exercisers - the David's, & Amanda joined us as well.
Having missed Lidja/Sergey's 0700, I decided to do Erik's 'Walk a Mile With A Smile'. It was my last day but my 1st Erik's mile.
While we wandered all over the various decks, I noticed 2 sunbeds (which were usually occupied by the 2 German chaps I'd "met" yesterday) were Reserved by at least 4 towels apiece. There was a book on one of them: in German, & some sort of bag on the other.

Sunbeds with no towels on

As we had been asked not to put towels on sunbeds to reserve them, I took them all off & put them back in the little cupboard where the clean deck towels were kept. I left the bag & the book.

Jack looking stripe-ingly nautical, & Harry looking laid back

Walk over, I wandered about getting pics of various peeps enjoying a morning's sail.

Peter probably has one of me photographing him?

Mein Gott, wo sind meine Handtücher?

Just after the Peter photo, I noticed one of the Germans making his way to his 'Reserved' sunbed.

When he saw the towels had gone, he went & got some more.


Talk about greedy, he grabbed at least 3, then sat down to read his book.

Friend hugging new towels closely.
Just in case someone took them away! ;-)

When his friend came, they seem to have been discussing towels - or the lack of, as his friend then went & got some for himself, & sat hugging them closely while they talked. 

Shortly after, he put them on the sunbed, & left. 


See photo.

How many towels does one (Ger)man need?

3rd Officer Vadim on duty on the bridge

My little bit of fun over, I continued to mosey around taking various photos.

The Chart Table

Marco

On my wanders I came across Marco, who had a moan about me not being in the Tropical Bar.
See previous blog about his attempt to have an assignation.

He made a comment about my great body ~ Um?  :-0 , so I said "Thank you" & managed to escape.

During the escape I bumped into Andreas (AKA Andy) & we had another of our long chats. No Idea what about! Andy & I spoke for hours on the RC.

And then it was time for lunch, so I grabbed a quick shower, & had it with Tony & Harry.
Bizarrely, Harry wanted our opinion as to what he should buy Gabi & Marcel for their wedding.
Given Gabi's penchant for hugging men wearing cashmere (usually Tony ;-p ), I suggested matching cashmere sweaters.


I later found out he bought them a blanket, & Marcel Emailed me a picture of it. Unfortunately, due to my total lack of techy skills, I wasn't able to save it to put on here. The same applied to all the photos they sent of their wedding. 
How pants is that, Shirl?

Nameless crewman attaching a rope to a chain

After lunch, it wasn't really warm enough to sunbathe, so I took the camera for another wander.

The best looking chap on-board (in my humble opinion)
~ Prakash from India, taken by Tony

Amanda makes a monkey's fist
btw~they are Tony's legs

And then the Straits of Gibraltar came into view in the distance on the port bow.



At this point, nearly everyone piled onto the fore-deck.

CJ & Julie. You may note the books they're carrying?
They were invariably reading whenever I saw them!

I managed to get pics of a few folk I'd missed previously, & who were memorable in some way or other.


These included CJ & Julie who I'd met on Day 1, & a Scottish couple. 
I had spoken to the shorter of the 2 Scots a few days earlier, & he told me his partner was on DLA, & because he was disabled, his carer could get all sorts of deals ~ like cheap rail travel! 
The tall one was apparently on the higher rate of the mobility component because he couldn't walk far, but I'd seen him dancing in the evening, & on the last day watched him walk a good 150m with no help, so he didn't seem virtually unable to walk to me?? 

The stocky man's friend who was on DLA
because he was 'virtually unable to walk'

You wouldn't expect someone with serious mobility problems to chose an ocean crossing cruise, either. Especially on a small ship like the RC which would pitch & roll more than the massive floating hotels. Very dubious in my opinion.

Jerry with the Moroccan coast behind

Ian with the Spanish coast behind

Morocco through the rat-lines

It took quite a while to sail past the Rock, & the Moroccan coast was quite picturesque, as well.

The sun was out, so I put on shorts, even though there was a fair bit of wind. The other folk on the bowsprit net obviously felt the cold more than me, & were well covered up!

Me doing a daft "Land Ahoy!" pose.
You may notice I should be facing the other way?

Ernest with Moroccan coast behind

An American (I think) with Moroccan coast behind

Bruce & Tom put the world to rights?

As you may see, there were a lot of folk taking in the sights on deck - even though many had sailed the Straits before.

The rock is an escarpment, & that's clear here

As usual, Peter was a happy chappie up on deck with his camera.
He loved his sailing.

I found this little bit about the east slope on Wiki:
Gorham's Cave is located near sea level on the steep eastern face of the Rock. It is noteworthy because archaeological excavations in the cave have found evidence that Neanderthals used it as far back as 30,000 years ago. It is especially significant because plant and animal remains found in the cave (and others nearby) indicate that the Neanderthals had a highly varied diet.



At 5 o'clock it was time for our lecture from Sergey about Gibraltar.





Some kind soul took the one of me & Sergey, but didn't comment about my very red face.


Obviously, despite the wind, the sun had been hot!

Back in my cabin before dinner, I wrote a draft letter to Marcel & Gabi, & took it to Tony's cabin for him to look at & approve.
It was to go in the Wedding card I'd bought in Punta Delgada.

There had been no Erik's Abs today. He did another Mile with a Smile instead, but I was too busy gossing & snapping to go again.

I had dinner with the David's who were already imbibing the 'falling-over juice' & were very giggly :-)


They were lovely chaps.

Between main & dessert the crew all paraded into the dining room, & then they sang the ship's song.

While they sang, I had a little blub  :' -/ 
Gawd!  I am a softie.

Each crew-member waved a flag of his home nation, & the majority were Latin-American & Carribean.

Due to the state of my lens, & the low light, the pics have not come out very well.
Shame :-(

Amanda & Erik wave their Swedish flags during the singing

Sergey sings the Ship's Song

All the waiters were lovely, & very cheery chaps

All around there were celebrations of our voyage, as we would dock in Malaga early the next morning.

That's Tony doing the finger semaphore,
with Harry on his left

I turned round at my table & saw Gabi & Marcel sharing a hug.
Ahhh! :-))


After dinner I wrote the letter out legibly, took it & the card to Tony to sign.

Peter (Head Barman), me & the smiley Artuth

Then it was time for my last dance, & final photos.

Monika

Dr Cordula & Helmut

Sadly, no-one was dancing - even Harry had gone to bed, so I put signed card & letter for Marcel & Gabi under his cabin door, so he could deliver it for us on the day of the wedding.

There wasn't a lot going on, so after the final photo, I went to bed, having packed & put my big orange bag out in the corridor.

The Last Day ~ Monday April 28th

Next morning, the change in engine noise woke me at 0515, but I eventually got up about half 6, & went on deck.

The water was almost still, & the sun had risen, so I spent quite a while up there, snapping away.

The blobs on the lens have spoiled many of the pics I took, but the morning was still beautiful.

Wiki tells me that the port of Malaga is the oldest continuously-operated port in Spain and one of the oldest in the Mediterranean.
It also says that Malaga used to be the capital of the Islamic kingdom of Granada.
The lighthouse (Faro in Spanish) was built in 1814, but seems older, somehow.

There were 2 compasses - port & starboard, as well as the dials just in front of the wheel.

As with all the brass on board, they were lovely & shiny, & reflected the early morning sun beautifully.

I took a lot of faro & compass pics ! ! ! !

After the dawn photos, I went down for breakfast to find that Gabi, Marcel & Harry were going on the trip to Mijas before flying home.

I walked off & towards Customs with them, before all the Goodbye hugs set me off weeping again. 
Gordon Bennett, Shirl! 

Back aboard & wandering aft I saw Oscar - he of the Bachata etc., being winched aloft.

My camera couldn't manage upright shots & get it all in, so I lay on deck again, & shot upwards for some of them.

You can tell how high the mast is by how small Oscar is!

I don't know what he was doing, but there was some banging involved.



It looked fun up there & I wanted a go! ;-)

You can barely see him on this one.
He's dangling just below the top-gallant spar

Oscar on his way down.

The Spanish ensign flying on the mast

After watching Oscar, I noticed a bustle aft & they were loading new mattresses, crockery & a load of unknown items in boxes. Even the Head Chef - wearing his hat, was there. Presumably making sure his galley goods were all brought aboard OK.
I took some pics, but managed to delete them before I got them on here - doh
I guess there was a lot of new food brought aboard, too. We didn't half get through a lot of scran. It was all totally yummy, & I have to thank Amanda, Erik, Lidija & Sergey for their exercises classes. They enabled me to enjoy humongous amounts of food & get home 4 lbs lighter than I went. Way to go :-D
Food must be even more of a prob when the ship is full. There were about 120 guests, instead of more than 240, so the galley & dining room crew possibly had it marginally easier than usual?

I went below & saw Tony having a very late solo breakfast. It may have been his 2nd one? Like I said, it was easy to over-eat :-q

Tony & the breakfast buffet table.

This pic is the last one on the Royal Clipper Transatlantic blog, but the story doesn't end there.

A group of us, including Ian, Christine & Conrad :-/ who were flying into Heathrow boarded a mini-bus & were deposited at Malaga airport. We hung out together for a while.
Steve (of the diabetes? problem) wanted some help from the airport staff, so I went looking for a wheelchair. 
It kept me out of Conrad's way, at least.
After a bit I went through customs & wandered all over the place to keep me occupied ~ no book & no sudoku left. Happily I found a bookshop & picked up a Terry Pratchett to read on the way home . Then, while returning back towards the gate, I came across Gabi, Marcel & Harry having a bite & a brew at one of the cafes.
Of course that resulted in more hugs & tears ! ! ! !

Eventually our flight was called, & the RC contingent boarded. We were a tiny bit late taking off, but all went to plan, & after landing just after 4, I got the train from Heathrow to Blackfriars, grabbed a Tube to Euston, & caught the 2030 north. I had nearly 1/2 an hour to wait in Preston :-(, but eventually got the Blackpool train & walked off at 1/4 to midnight.
Given my Ginormous orange bag, I got a taxi - I usually walk: it's only just over a mile.
Julie & Jim had brought the cats in & fed them, so & I had an extended cat cuddle before bed.
And that's was it.
Until next time, anyway.
OAO

Postscript
It was great that Marcel & Gabi were able to visit Blackpool in August 14. They managed to see a bit of Wales, Liverpool, & the Lakes, as well as Knott End, Skipool, St Annes, Lytham, Fleetwood, & the Illuminations Switch- On. At least, Marcel did. Unfortunately, Gabi was in the loo when they hit the button. You couldn't make it up! 
We had a fun week :-D
It would be great to see them again. 
Maybe one day?

Meanwhile, I was planning my final NZ trip. 
I wanted to be there when the final Hobbit film was released  .   .   .
Thank goodness for overtime, eh ;-)