With a short hop like that between Gatos and Gibraltar – 165 nautical miles – there is always discussion about how best to deal with timing. It can be done in two day hops, or a single leg which requires an 0200 departure so that we arrive in time to check in. Getting up in the middle of the night could be considered painful but working out of an anchorage in the dark is one of the pleasures of cruising and compensates for the requirement to leave a warm bunk.

We awake at 0215, sniff the air, and decide to go. Chart plotter, radar, and sonar are turned on, and while the engines are warming themselves for the day ahead, we pull in the booms and secure the flopper stoppers.

The anchor is winched home from the confines of the inside bridge while we keep an eye on our neighbors with the radar.

Then slowly, one engine at idle in gear, we depart the anchorage. Once clear we bring the second engine into play and accelerate to our 1800 RPM cruise.

Steve is feeling his oats, so Linda goes back to sleep, snuggled down on the salon settee where she is close at hand should she be required.

There is traffic to watch, mainly fishing boats heading out for the day, but also a cruise ship as we gain offing from the coast.

A few bits of chocolate, some toast with peanut butter, a spot of tea later, and it is our favorite time of day, sunrise.

Linda is up by now, not to be denied the beauty of early morning, as Wind Horse makes her way toward Gibraltar.

Although the wind is calm, theres a swell on the bow quarter. The forecast  is light and variable. Is this left over from  yesterday or a precursor for today?

Morning matures, the clouds darken, and we know the answer.

The breeze comes in from the east, a run towards the Pillars of Hercules.

We’ll make a brief stop in Gibraltar to top off the tanks and freezer, change the oil and give the engine room a once over. Then its off into the Atlantic.