The ports are coming thick and fast as we approach our leaving of the Mediterranean.  Today, Cartagena, is notable for two reasons, our auditors leave and so do Sam, Ant and the children.  The former is great, we have been re-certified; the latter, awful, the absence of the children hangs heavy on my heart.  Olly’s constant chatter and Emily’s laughs and smiles will have to wait, I console myself that I will see them again in early May, when Emily is christened.  In the meantime, they are having a week with Ant’s Mum and Dad, who live not far from Cartagena.

Cartagena boasts a beautiful natural harbour, nestled in a bay, surrounded by precipitous cliffs.  It has a Cruise berth and a Naval base, while on its outer peripheries, a thriving cargo port.

The bay from seaward

Overview

The Bay itself

The harbour

…and the dock, the “Eurodam” is ahead of us.

 The city is steeped in history.  The surrounding hills have fortifications from a bygone age; Moors, Carthaginians, Romans, have all influenced Spain’s destiny and her is no exception.

I wait with the family, while the men go to bring the cars and luggage; as we wait, the crew pass by and many of them want hugs and photos from the children that they have all but adopted, this past week.  Sam and I, big lumps in our throats, say goodbye.

Having last-minute hugs

I watch the “Eurodam” sail and I leave you with a photo of Olly, he has been wearing this ‘uniform’ all week, it was a job to get him out of it when he went to bed  🙂