We leave Almerimar harbor at 0730 in quiet seas and air.  From the weather forecast, we expect wind on the nose for most of the first two days but we are anxious to leave the marina which began charging high season rates on June 1st.  As we round Cabo de Gat at 1120,  the wind increases within ten minutes from 10 to 35 knots and the seas start white-capping at 6-8 feet.  And that's the way we bounce into the anchorage east of Aquilas nine hours later.  A real shake-down cruise.

Returning to Almerimar on May 29th, we discover that SHIBUMI is literally buried under a quarter inch of soot and dirt in the boat yard.  Luckily we find Sol Almerimar, a furnished apartment rental at reasonable rates, and live ashore until we can splash SHIBUMI into the water the next Monday.  Then we start to wash the boat; clean and wax the stainless, wash, polish, and buff the hull.  A full week of fun in the sun and water.  We try to depart on Tuesday but realize that we are too tired for a major passage so we sleep over and start the next morning ... after a last fresh water wash-down.