David's Diary: Friday, February 8, 2002

We Made It To Sitges, Spain

We woke up yesterday and listened to the Barcelona Cruisers Net broadcast on VHF at 09:00. The daily cruisers net set up by the many people spending the winter in Barcelona includes a daily weather forecast. Yesterday, it still sounded like there was quite a bit of wind outside the harbor. Rather than take a chance we stayed put in Port Vell and did another day of school. It also gave us one more day to visit with the families on Snowcat and Arbella.

This morning the weather forecast for the east of Spain was better so at 10:00 we cast off our lines and headed through the bridge opening at 10:30. The sea is calm and the wind is light. After an hour of motor sailing the wind shifts to the SW (where we are trying to go) gusting to 20 knots apparent wind. We reef the main, pull out the genoa, and tack our way to Sitges. We get a scare at the entrance when the depth quickly drops to 2m, but we back out, examine the chart and pilot guide once more, and make another try hugging the entrance buoys. The depth drops again to 2m, but doesn't get any lower (we need at least 1.85m) and we make it inside the harbour. There are two people to meet us and we tie up happy to be in a new place.

Jocelyn, Allen, and I explore the marina. It is a mile or so outside of the old Roman center of Sitges. We walk around the hills and then find a harbor-side cafe to have a drink. As we sit there contemplating our travels the sun sets over the marina wall and we are treated to a colorful sunset. What a nice way to be welcomed to Sitges.