Christmas is a comin'

From Lymington to Rota this season we have travelled 1,768 miles through the water at an average speed of 5.25 knots. 28% of the miles have been done under sail and the remainder under engine. We have travelled on 53 days out of the 161 days available. Of those 53 days we have experienced winds of force 5 or more on 8 days and of force 6 or more on only 3. The maximum wind force encountered at sea has been force 7 and that on 2 days only. Having said that our policy is to sail only when the wind is forecast to be force 5 or less and we have studied forecasts intently to achieve that goal.

Our ‘holiday’ in Andalucia over we have returned to the ‘household’ chores on board and to cleaning and maintenance. That’s not as bad as it sounds but maintenance must be kept up, even on a new boat, to ensure that she functions properly and keeps her good looks.

Finally the cold has beaten Miggy and she swam in the sea for the last time on the 4th of December! Temperatures reach between15ºC and 18°C during the day and it has dropped to 6ºC at night, although that is unusual! Mostly we have clear sunny days but when it rains it falls in torrents and when it blows it blows in fury.

Preparations for Christmas are in full swing, both on ‘Bella’ and in Rota. Leaving aside the religious side of Christmas, The Spanish celebrate differently to us in that they have a family meal on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. Whereas Father Christmas brings our presents on Christmas day, in Spain the kids have to wait for their presents until the three Kings arrive at Epiphany on the 6th of January.

Having said that the Spanish appear to celebrate in style and build not just cribs outside their churches but parts of ‘Belen’ (Bethlehem) in the town square! They also build complete model villages representing ‘Belen’ in incredible detail with running water, flames under the fires and potters wheels turning.

Rota is decorated with great taste and extensively with the trees in the squares lit and light tableaus hung over all the streets within the centre of town. The Council or the Traders or both must spend significant amounts to provide this wonderful spectacle unlike most towns in England, including Lymington. It is said that Seville is the best decorated city in Spain. We are going there for a couple of days just before Christmas to find out and see the sights.

We sang some carols at an evening of Christian fellowship and Bible study having been invited to supper by Americans, Peter and Jane, whilst we were admiring their property by the sea here in Rota. What else would one expect? Perhaps just plain old American hospitality. This was abundant as well in the food served at supper and the fine company of some forty Americans, including their wives and children, serving in or retired from the Naval base here.

Bella looks well with ribbon and 100 fairy lights around the ceiling and a 450mm Christmas tree on the table. Our plans for Christmas day are made and they include a full English Christmas dinner and all the bits that go with it. Another English couple will roast the Turkey in their oven, as it is bigger than ours, and the vegetables. They also have a Christmas pud for which Miggy will make the brandy butter. Miggy will prepare a prawn and Scottish smoked salmon starter and roast the potatoes, the bacon rolls and sausages. We will also provide mostly French cheeses as we have a delightful French couple eating with us as guests. We will all chip in with the Champagne, wine and brandy.
Whilst we will enjoy our Christmas here in Rota immensely, we shall miss seeing our family and friends very much. So, wherever you are in the world

Merry Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Joyeux Noël
Feliz Natal
Buon Natale
Frohe Weihnachten

And, of course, a Happy And Prosperous New Year to you all.