Yesterday's land exped was brilliant. We went up La Rhune, in the Pyrenees, in a little mountain train to the highest point around and had a fabulous view in all directions - including being able to look down on where we sailed to this morning - Hondarribia. I lie, we didn't 'sail' as there was no wind when we left Cap Breton at 5.45am so we motored the 25 miles. Hondarribia is in Spain - the other side of the river is France and we biked back there for lunch today. Hondarribia has got a magical, walled medieval town (though there is some pretty nasty modern building surrounding it) . Think Carcassone without the tack and the tourists - beautiful. I have just winched Rich up the mast again - third time this trip - I swear he finds something wrong up there just to keep me from lying around enjoying a siesta. This evenings entertaiment has been watching a Dufour 45 coming into a berth opposite us. An older man, looking as cool as a cucumber, reversing in sitting down whilst a younger woman draped herself over the decks, looking beautiful, but not exactly poised to leap ashore with ropes etc. We were so impressed - he obviously knew exactly what he was doing...... Having got the boat nicely alongside he grabbed a rope, attached one end to his boat and leapt ashore with the other end, though failed to get a turn round a cleat, and tried to hang onto it while the boat drifted out in the breeze. Lots of shouting.....girl leaps into action and puts the boat into reverse at full speed. Crash! Rich leaps off Nomad to go and help and man gets back on board - girl then throws a mass of rope at Rich who manfully attaches one end to a cleat only to discover he has both ends and nothing is attached to the boat! Anyway after a bit more toing and froing they are now safely tied up alongside and inspecting the damage to their rear end. More injured pride I think than serious boat damage. We plan to stay here two nights - maybe bicycle along to Pasajes tomorrow - then visit San Sebastien the following day.
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