Woke this morning from a wine induced slumber to hear Pepe banging on the hull.  I always thought Spanish workers were late starters.  Bastard.

I’m still unsure how he did such a good job – not being able to speak one word of English – but the new security washboard as viewed through blearly headachy eye, was a work of art. 

It needed only a strong balck coffee, then some noisy drilling and trimming to fit the lock, then oiling to protect the wood, and it’s installed.

Spent the late morning with Gerry and Sara dressing Swagman with flags. 

They may look pretty but as the headache was not 100% gone, felt they were overflappping away in the breeze.  It's a good job the winds been dropping most evenings or not sure we'll get much sleep from now on.

More boats are arriving each day – streaming in.  They say there is now 150+ jammed in here, with another 90 odd to still find space twix now and start.  Not sure how they’ll do that as it’s looking pretty busy already, but assume they will kick out other livaboards if they must.  Strange really, they seem to value the two weeks of ther ARC more than a 12 month contract.  Most wierd.

Lots of frantic activity all over the marina now as more boats take safety checks.  Seems the guys spend a lot of time in long queues to buy required bits and pieces, whilst the ladies tend to be discussing menus and shoot back and forward to the stores buying in more provisions to fill the suggestions they’ve shared.  It’s just like a lots of worker ants all milling backward and forward but with a kind of purpose……….

We’ve also been busy shaking our heads at hopeful crew members seeking rides over.  As many as 5 each day appear on the jetty behind, some complete with CV's and all trying hard to impress. Most are relatively young people happy to offer themselves (well not in the biblical sense) in exchange for the ride, some are seeking daily payment, others air tickets paid back, and some are even prepared to pay!  The largish X60 parked up close to us has 6 paying crew signed up, contributing 2500 euros EACH to his kitty.  Not a bad lump eh, to bang in the back pocket whilst you’re enjoying the sail.

Had Gerry and Sara with livaboard neighbours Geoff and Shash, over for supper.  Sue fired up the pressure cooker and did a chook / tomato / choritso / black olive number.  Not as spicy as it sounds, but they all scoffed it down.

Tomorrow the first of the information seminars are running.  There are lots to choose from, and we're not doing them all. 

We’ve enrolled and will go along tomorrow to ones on Provision Management, Rigging, Route and Weather for an Atlantic Crossing. 

Gerry wants to come along on at least some of these with Sue and I, but Sara will continue to hit the pool and build on her bronzie.  It suits her.

There is a lot of debate from serious cruisers as to the value of going over with the ARC (as opposed to doing it solo or as a NARC group).  But as crossing virgins, we think these seminars have made it worthwhile for us, and as social people we find the parties really do end up making it all a big event. 

Guess that’s why lots of NARC’s gatecrash the events and also take part - or is it only for the freebie drinks?

Sad to report both Sue and I seem have picked up some virus and both sniffling with headaches.  Hope we did not pass it on to the guests either............

It always seems wrong to me to get a cold when its 30 degrees outside – but I do know you can!

With 12 days to go I’m pretty sure we’ll knock the bugs off before the start.  If not at the rate of nose running currently being experienced, Sues going to have to set aside a spare cabin to hold the paper tissues!

Cheers