Arrived at 1:30am in  the small marina at Rota on the northern side of Cadiz bay to refuel. The fuel berth opens at 8am so we tie alongside the pumps to be first in the queue.

At 7:30 the pump attendant opens the kiosks and sets about fuelling the fishing boats that have just arrived. On completion he proceeds. To lock the dorr and depart for his breakfast! A few words of spanglish convince him that we also require fuel which is reluctantly supplied with an instruction to report to the Port Office on completion.

On arrival in the Port office I am asked the length of the boat inorder to calculate berthing fees! My explanation that we were simply awaiting fuel was lost in translation so I announced that Lady Jenny was 10m. Reluctantly paying the 20 euros I head for the door. “Pardonnes senhor .. can I see the ships papers please?” Oops..

After a lifetime of photocopying and stamping of triplicate forms I was asked to explain how the English convert feet to meters. Because their calculation shows Lady Jenny to be 12.8m! Hhhm.. mental note not to try pulling the wool over when I have had so little sleep. Another 10 euros changes hands and we depart for Cape Saint Vincent fully fuelled and vowing to avoid Rota next time around.

Now Friday 13^th 13:30 and we are rounding Cape Saint Vincent. We have been shadowed by a Portugese patrol boat for the last two hours, nearly collided with a sun fish and had a friendly chat with a passing turtle. Next top Lisbon where I can get a good internet connection and upload some pictures.