Martina has arrived in Faro, wanted to come with me on the ArgoFram for a while – I’m happy, pick her up at the airport by bike (beautiful, natural shore path) and together we take a taxi along the expressway back to the harbour. She, too, immediately jumps into this world of upscale appearances and staged ease, and just as quickly falls back to the ground of reality. We decide to cast off immediately and without much preparation. Paint a few sandwiches, buy water, off we go.
We drive through the wide bay of Cadiz on the direct way to Barbate, again located far behind the Spanish border…, at the ‘entrance’ to the Strait of Gibraltar. Barbate is a strangely ‘unfinished’ but all the more friendly resort for Spanish families, very down to earth. And extremely helpful in the newly expanded harbour (apart from us, there are only two other sailing boats here; there would probably be room for more than 80). Everything is there, showers, toilets, only the town centre is a little further away. The town can be reached in a wide arc around the new harbour facilities…, we take it easy. We have time. We are pleased with ourselves.
We go swimming (beautiful long beach), dine in the restaurant (tuna), only: the mood among the other guests is clearly better than what is served to us on the plates. The Spaniards around us seem to like what is on offer, although I don’t know what is more important to them: what they get to eat or the opportunity to chat with their family and friends while eating; but for dessert we move on. Everything fits in the new place.
I find the climate here extremely pleasant! Somehow Mediterranean, but a little more agitated, fresher, more vital – ideal for me. But maybe the whole atmosphere is a bit charged because I now have a guest – new vibes…
I’m no longer alone; it won’t be easy with us, that’s predictable, but nice.