We weren't intending to winter here in Cartagena. We have seen over 1,800 nautical miles pass under the keel this year and when you average 5 knh, that’s enough. We were headed for the Guadalquivir River to Seville when we had yet another problem with our Fuel Pump - we have been paying the piper this year for 10 years of trouble-free cruising.
Cartagena is beautiful, centrally located for exploring Spain and has a nice small live-aboard community of real cruisers (as opposed to marina-dwellers). The marina is right on the town's doorstep and, except when the cruise ships come in, there are hardly any tourists.
I’ve signed up for Spanish lessons with our fellow yachties - I have no head for languages so my aspirations are humble (like not being bottom of the class; and ordering tapas at the bar). I love the spanish sense of individuality and style. The architecture is just breathtaking and the fashion is enough to drag Lenny into the streets for an evening promenade (as long as it comes with a beer). Already made great friends and we figure they are a bad influence - 2pm to midnight ‘lunches’ have been all too common. Well, better get amongst it. Found a great tapas bar with wine glasses the size of fish bowls and siesta is now officially over!