Mallorca

Cala Figuera

The highlight of the summer was Tan’s daughter Rachel presenting her with a granddaughter at the end of June. Apart from that it’s been an odd summer, the weather was quite unstable, plenty of sun but strong NE winds so we got no further than the North part of Mallorca. However we passed several milestones this year: since we started, we've travelled over 5,000 nautical miles, over 1,000 hours under way and year of nights at anchor.

A late start to the season due to unstable weather. A very slow (23 hours) and lumpy crossing to Pollenca, Mallorca with winds up to F5 on the nose for a large part. We caught up with Pete & Carol (Fulmaris), who had left an hour and a half before us, about 5 hours into the journey and tracked with them the rest of the way. While furling the mainsail on arrival the outhaul sheet got caught round the boathook in the mast and sheered the outer casing of the rope but we got the sail stowed and anchored for 4 nights, then into the marina due to forecast of gales where we stayed for a further 7 nights.

Superyacht Georgia The plan was to get lifted out in Pollenca and do the anodes and antifouling in warm weather but due to the Flying 15 World Championships that proved to be impossible so we booked with the marina in Alcudia, which proved to be very expensive, double the price of Port Olympic. So on the 31st May we had a nice but slow sail in light winds and lifted out at 15:30. We stayed at the very nice Pension Bellavista in Porto Pollenca for four nights and ate out each night. On the 4th June we were back in the water and anchored in the bay of Alcudia for the night and Tan had her first swim of the season, I deferred. Next day, back to Pollenca to stock-up.

Andy, Rachel & Isabella On the 8th we motored round to Cala Figuera on the north side of the island. The cala is wide and long tapering towards a stony beach and surrounded on two sides by cliffs and mountains. The beach shelves steeply up and inland into the mountains and can only be reached by a rough track or by sea and there is no radio or mobile phone signal here. We have often passed by but never stayed because of the weather conditions but once inside in the right conditions it is beautiful. We arrived on a Saturday so many local boats came round from Pollenca for the day but at night we were the only boat at there. My first swim of the season, great. We stayed 3 nights and on the last night the super-yacht Georgia anchored in the mouth of the cala.

Then on to Cala Tuent, one of our favourite cala's, and still as beautiful. On the second night another super-yacht "Kokomo" arrived. We discovered from the Australian owner that it is the 52 metre long sister ship to Georgia built in New Zealand and both in Mallorca for the super-yacht racing in Palma next week.

On the 13th we continued along the North coast to Soller where we stocked up at Eroski and Anna came to dinner the second night. It was lovely to see her but she was alone because Dick was in Holland overseeing the building of his new boat. We had hoped to stop in Tuent on the way back but the forecast for NW winds would have made it uncomfortable so we carried on to Cala Figuera. Had heavy showers on Saturday but that kept the local day traffic to a minimum. Saw goats and a couple of eagles hunting along the ridge.

Mike, Chris & family on Shabonee Two days later we left cala Figuera because the wind was due to veer NE in the night and strengthen, which it did. Picked up a buoy under the castle at Pollenca for the weekend then moved closer to port and anchored then spent a Thursday night on the quay to stock up. On the 27th June we had a very good sail round to Alcudia where we anchored for 3 nights. Next day we received news that Tan’s daughter Rachel had given birth to a 7lb 2 oz girl named Isabella. The following night there was parade of boats and a fantastic fireworks display to mark the closing of the Fiesta San Pere and we were in prime position.

Next day we left for a small but very popular cala at the mouth of Alcudia bay. We had intended to stay 2 nights but the forecast next day showed strong NE so we left in the afternoon. The NE winds started to increase in the afternoon and we had an excellent sail across the bay touching over 7 knots at times and picked up one of the yellow buoys under the castle in Pollenca bay which is now a preservation area for sea grass, the water is very clear but the wash from power boats, jet skiers, water skiers etc makes it less than ideal.

Isabella with Captain Jack & Grandma By Tuesday we were very low on water so went into port for a couple of days for water, electricity, and provisions then back out to anchor. On the 9th we went back into port because Tan is leaving on the 11th for about a month to be with her daughter and her new granddaughter Isabella. I went back out to anchor, it's the week of the Pollenca Festival and on Saturday night there was an all night disco on the beach and at midnight on Sunday there were fireworks. Joel & Lil arrived in Marauder and on Monday Pete & Carol (Fulmaris) set sail back to Barcelona. Tan came back on the 26th sooner than expected but very welcome.

5th August and the silly season is in full swing. We went round to Cala Figuera, looked into Cala Murta en-route, very small, very picture postcard and full. There were more than 80 boats in cala Figuera during daytime but only nine stayed overnight. Moved back to the bay of Pollenca next day due to forecast of more NE winds and picked up one of the new mooring buoys behind the castle for 4 nights.

Glyn & Emme - Alcanada Back round to the bay of Alcudia, this time to cala Aucanada, looked into Cala Murta again on the way but didn't stop because of the swell. Cala Aucanada has lovely views of the mountains across the bay and the golf course nearby. It has clear water is well sheltered from E and NE winds and isn't as busy as Pollenca bay so there is less wash. There was a small thunderstorm on Sunday night.

Running low on Cava, so on the 13th decided to go back to Pollenca for provisions. Anchored for a night before going onto the quay early next day where we stayed for 3 nights due to more forecasts of strong NE winds then on the 18th back round to cala Aucanada where we anchored for 5 nights. Monday was very grey and blustery with showers and a thunderstorm with severe gusts and driving rain in the early hours of Tuesday morning but we were well protected from the Northerly winds. Showers and gusts continued until Wednesday morning then cleared so we took the dinghy ashore and the bus to the supermarket in Alcudia for more supplies.

Got a phone call from Mike (Shabonee) on the 23rd informing us of a gale warning so had a nice swim then left Aucanada for the relative safety of the mooring buoys under the castle at Pollenca where we stayed for the next 5 nights. It's safe but very uncomfortable due to the wash from power boats racing in and out and jet skies and water skies so we battled our way out of the bay against NE force 4 with 1.5 to 2m seas back to the relative peace and quiet of Aucanada. Had a lovely walk between the beach and the golf course then went to a beach bar and had lunch.

Tan with Glyn & Rachel in Palma 28th August, had to leave to get water, shopping and do laundry so back to the public quay at Pollenca but it's very hot and humid. Visibility was less than 100 metres for part of the journey due to dense fog. Had the navigation lights and radar on but there were quite a lot of small boats out fishing with rods and I had to take evasive action even though we were the stand on boat. This is the second time recently that people have been too busy with their fishing rods to keep a good lookout!

Two days later we left Pollenca for Aucanada where we anchored for 7 nights. On Friday Mike & Chris (Shabonee) arrived and came over for drinks and tapas and on Saturday we had a great curry and cinema on their boat. They left on Sunday but came round in the car on Monday to take us for a drive out to military bay then shopping. We introduced them to the sushi bar in Alcudia where we all ate too much at lunch. On Tuesday and Wednesday we were hemmed in by strong NE winds but it's a good safe and comfortable anchorage.

On the 6th September we went back to anchor in Pollenca bay because Tan had hair and beauty appointments and we want to got to Palma to see Andy, Rachel, and the baby who were there on holiday. Went to Palma by bus and had a great day. Four days later we went to cala Figuera via cala Murta, a very pretty cala but with very little swinging room and shelves very steeply so it would have to be a line ashore or stern anchor in very good weather. Arrived in Figuera but there was an uncomfortable swell from the Gulf de Lion. Decided to wait a couple of hours to see if it would abate as predicted by the forecast but it got worse so we left and anchored at Aucanada. Soon after we arrived Shabonee arrived with their friends Marjory and David on board.

The following day we had coffee with Mike & Chris and David & Marjory on Shabonee then finally left for Pollenca because tomorrow we collect a hire car for 8 days while Glyn & Emma are here. Picked up a buoy under the castle for the 1st night then moved onto the quay for 3 nights waiting for very good weather to introduce Emma to anchoring. Glyn & Emma used the rental car to explore the island and we all enjoyed a nice meal at Bon Profit. Finally we sailed to Aucanada where we anchored for the night and Glyn and Emma enjoyed a swim.

One of the beautiful finca's Next day, left Aucanada after another nice swim, back to the quay in Pollenca so Glyn & Emma could use the car and we went to El Posio for dinner. On the 18th we took Glyn & Emma to Palma airport via the shopping mall at Pont de Inca where we had lunch. Unfortunately Tan bit on something hard and crunched a crown. Next day we toured the North of the island and found some fantastic finca hotels and stopped in the beautiful village of Selva for lunch at a café bar on the square. Stayed an extra night on the quay so Tan could go to the dentist to have the tooth checked. The x-rays showed no sign of damage so she suggested waiting till we were back in Barcelona.

21st September, back to Aucanada. Shabonee arrived on Monday with Liz and friend Jessica on-board. Had dinner on their boat and next day came to us for coffee. Later in the afternoon the wind picked up and we had showers and thunderstorms and a blustery night as predicted. On Wednesday morning went to the supermarket via dinghy and bus for supplies.

We stayed there at anchor for a week, then the wind was forecast to swing round to the south so we went for a very slow sail around Alcudia bay in the light winds, finally we anchored behind the main port and marina. Next day we took the dinghy ashore and went shopping in Alcudia and had very nice tapas at a bar in a side street.

It’s now October 2nd Back to Pollenca quay for water, supplies and do laundry and because we have a lot of admin to do and need power. Forecast is showers and thunderstorms so we will stay put for a few days. Glad we did, because we had a severe thunder squall on Thursday night with F11 gusts (that's 60 knots, 105km/hr, 65mph). I hadn't closed a porthole so some of Tan's paperwork, books, and some cushions got soaked. Electricity for the whole area went off but was quickly restored. The sea level in the bay is oscillating up and down by about 0.5m every ten to 15 minutes and according to one of the marinero's it's 2 metres in Mahon!

On the 6th we sailed all the way to Aucanada, slow to start but managed over 6 knots later. We stayed at anchor for four nights then back to the quay at Pollenca. Very heavy shower soon after departure so practiced using the radar. Back to port again because of more thunder squalls in the forecast. Mike & Chris came over for dinner on the 16th, Tan made a superb Moroccan Chicken cous-cous. Pete (Moondance) checked the rigging for me and found a couple of problems, he's very good. On Saturday we tried a different restaurant El Cano (Swiss) and had an excellent meal. We have been hemmed in waiting for a weather window to go back to Barcelona.

On the 22nd we topped up with fuel before going out to anchor in the bay ready for departure at 04:00. Took advantage of a 24 hour weather window. Seas of 1.5m were forecast but decreasing but he wind was light. The wind was fickle so we had to motor but we managed several hours motor sailing and made quite good time arriving at Barcelona at 23:30. We saw a few dolphins en-route but very little shipping except when we got very close to Barcelona then there were big ships coming from every direction - daunting! We are back in our old berth E10 again, great.