On Monday afternoon I left my anchorage between Ayamonte and Vila Real and went north on the river. A gentle southerly took me a few knots against the current, and one more when the tide turned. But after 3 hours the wind died and I had to do the rest for the engine.

I docked at Alcoutime in the last evening light. It is very hot here, over 30 degrees and getting even hotter the nearest days, and the fridge is sucking the battery at an alarming rate in such temperatures , so I rather pay 10 Euro per night at the dock than running the engine an hour per day. Up here the wind is not enough for the wind generator to make a contribution, and the 70 watt solar panel can't keep up with the hungry fridge. I am afraid there is something wrong with it.

The Guadiana river is a very popular cruising area. Many sailors come back every year and some are wintering here, in spite of the cooler temperatures up here compared with the coast.

I have heard several sailors now talking about the "Guadiana glue" - once you been here you want to return. Or even stay for good. It's very peaceful and the scenery is beautiful, increasingly the further north you go.

I plan to go further up, but first I will explore the area around Alcoutim, and San Lucar on the Spanish side of the river. Pictures will come.