Chris awakens Jackie at 0830 with land in sight and the coffee steaming.  Rota is a small harbor on a point of land just west of a US Naval Base.  For the first time in a long time, we work our way gingerly into the harbor due to the shoal water at the approach.  We dock at the reception quay at 0930 our time, forgetting to set our time pieces one hour ahead.  We are back on Spanish time and Spanish timetables, ie dinner after 2100 with sunrises at 0830.  Chris is pleasantly surprised at the winter marina rates as there is no place to anchor within miles.  

The planned sail to Rota to meet Riitta and Jochen, our friends from Sea Princess, will last over 12 hours so we decide to leave in the afternoon and sail overnight to arrive after daybreak.  Even though the weather forecast is for light winds, we unfurl the sail covers and prepare to sail,  When we depart at 1430, we are delighted with a reasonable sail in front of a low pressure system. Unfortunately the wind direction takes us too far south.  When the wind dies at dusk, we are forced to take the sails down and start the engine.  Jackie takes the first 3 hour watch from 1500-1800.