Mallorca

Pine Walk - Pollenca, Mallorca Undoubtedly the highlight of the year was Glyn and Emma's wedding in Sorrento at the end of June (see wedding photos) . We have broken a number of records this summer, namely the lowest number of passages made (24), the shortest time underway (101 hours 56 min) and the shortest distance travelled (589 nautical miles). We spent all but 17 days around the north of Mallorca, the vast majority of which was in the bay of Pollenca because it was important to continue Tan's dental work and for her to have a base to travel to Sorrento for the wedding. We had hoped to go to Sardinia when she returned but the weather knocked that on the head.

Our egress from the building site of Port Vell on the 1st May was easier than anticipated because we had help from Marinero Alex in a RIB. The overnight passage from Barcelona to Pollenca was sedate. The sea-state was millpond but as there was little or no wind so it was all motor-sailing. We saw several groups of dolphins en-route but it wasn't until I turned off the ultrasonic antifouling that they came close. We dropped anchor under the "castle" in Pollenca bay at 09:45 the following morning. It was tranquil but next day we went on the quay because we needed power and water to finish cleaning the boat which had to be postponed due to heavy rain the week before we left.

After three nights on the quay we had two peaceful nights at anchor back under the castle and watched the Search and Rescue services doing manoeuvres, winching people from the sea into a helicopter. Then back onto the quay again on Wednesday morning in time for Tan to keep her appointment with the dentist (phase 2 of the treatment) in Puerto Alcudia, after which we met up with Mike and Chris for a menu-del-dia at the Blue Maratim where we had yet another excellent meal.

Fire Fighting plane There were two events on Saturday 11th May, the Iron-Man triathlon (1.9 km swim, 90.1 km cycle, and 21.1 km run) and the "Splash-in" open day at the sea-plane military base. I chose the latter! We often see the fire-fighting planes practicing while we are anchored in the bay but it was fascinating to see them up close, they are huge. As well as the two military planes on show there were several other sea planes ranging from very small two seater to an impressive sea-tractor and a helicopter on floats.

The weather in the month of May was contrary with winds from the Golf de Leon (NE) alternating and competing with those from the Ebro Delta (NW) and when those were resting it would blow from the Straits of Gibraltar (Southerlies). The result was that we spent a total of twenty five days (not contiguous) on the quay at Pollenca. It wasn't continually windy but the lulls were so brief it didn't warrant going out to anchor. We became quite accustomed to having unlimited power and water and easy access to land. Mo and Joe over-wintered here and Pete and Carol (Fulmaris) were also on the quay so it was nice to see them again.

We alternated between Pollenca and Aucanada for most of the month of June with the exception of three nights at Cala San Vincente where we had a meal at Pepe's but it's getting a bit expensive there! Then back to Polenca. The night before Tan left for Sorrento on the 20th we had a meal at Can Ferra and the following day I took the boat to Aucanada where I stayed for fifteen nights. I had dinner with Mike, Chris and Angie on Shabonee on the 27th when they came to Aucanada.

Glyn and Emma's wedding On the 4th July, while the Americans were celebrating independence day, I sailed back to Pollenca and tied up to the quay for Tans return from Sorrento which went without a hitch. After two nights on the quay we anchored in the bay for a further seven nights during which we had a menu-del-dia with Mike, Chris, David and Marjorie at the Blau Maritim in Puerto Alcudia.

On the 13th July we took the boat to Cala San Vincente and anchored in our usual place. Tan had her first swim of the season. The next day Shabonee arrived with Mike, Chris, David and Marjorie aboard so we had drinks with them but swimming was curtailed due to the sighting of a jellyfish (one is too many). We departed the following morning due to an unexplained swell causing us to rock and went to Aucanada where we anchored for a further five nights (no jellyfish). We spent a night at Cala es Calo on our way back to Pollenca but it was very busy with many comings and goings causing us to rock. We anchored in the bay of Pollenca for another week before going to Aucanada for three days. Whilst there we had an excellent menu-del-dia at Blau Maritim then walked to Mercadona in Alcudia to do the shopping.

Menorca

Glyn and Emma's wedding On the last day of July the weather was just right for crossing to Menorca so we weighed anchor at 08:05. After a great sail with winds of 6-13 knots on the beam and calm seas we arrived at San Sarau on the south cost at 15:00. The cala was very busy with over 40 boats shoe-horned in but we managed to anchor in crystal clear water close to the cala entrance. The mountainous outline of Mallorca over 40 miles away were clearly visible. We spent two nights at anchor then went to Ciutedella because the forecast predicted the wind would back to the South. We were very lucky and got a berth on the Town Quay despite it being high season. Ciutadella has improved a great deal since last we were there in 2004. The new town quay is where the old ferry terminal used to be and a new ferry and cruise ship harbour has been constructed outside the cala. The town is also much improved with many of the buildings cleaned and restored, the streets are clean and there is an atmosphere of prosperity. We found a very good Spar shop close to the marina which was very useful.

Ciutadella From Cuitadella we went up west coast and turned right onto the north coast where we dropped anchor in Cala Fontenelles. This is one of four calas in a bay about 1km by 1km. There were over 60 boats packed in like sardines in the two most popular calas (closest to the beaches), none in the ugliest cala and only 5 boats in the one where we anchored. Although slightly more exposed it is quite a delightful csla with four fishermens huts and a small stone jetty at the head. There is abundant greenery and fascinating geological strata. After two days we continued along the north coast to Cala Rotja where we had an argument over anchoring, then Tan declared she didn't like the cala. We left next day for Fornells.

What used to be free buoys to protect the Posidonia sea grass now cost 29 Euro a night, you don't even get breakfast! We went through the buoy field towards the bottom of the cala and anchored. On the third night there was a severe thunder squall with gale force winds but by then I had 55m of chain out in anticipation. I was on anchor watch and noticed several boats dragging their anchor. Next day we learned that a 47 ft catamaran had been dragged onto the rocks on the island and although holed it had been recovered and lifted onto the hard for repair. The Gulf de Lion blew for several more days but not as dramatic. Being anchored over a mile down the bay meant that we were fairly well sheltered but there was still quite a swell and we could see mountainous waves crashing in the entrance over a mile away. Being so far down the bay meant a long slog in the dinghy into town.

Ciutadella One evening Michael and Teresa (Moondance) came over for drinks and tapas. We had a great evening. Michael offered us the use of his Suzuki jeep so we went to Es Mercadal next day for supplies. We got soaked in the dinghy on our return to the boat because of the waves. I got a nasty jelly fish sting one day while swimming so that was the end of swimming there. We had a pleasant lunch at Sa Nansa, a place we usually frequent when in Fornells.

Mallorca

After 11 days and with a suitable weather window we went back to Mallorca for Tan to continue her dental treatment. We anchored at Aucanada for a couple of days, sat out a small thunder storm then back to Pollenca. We had one more trip to Aucanada where we had two days and nights of rain and thunderstorms but fortunately it was dry for the parade on the last day of the Alcudia Mar old boats regatta. Monday 27th, back to the bay of Pollenca where we stayed for the next fifty five nights. We alternated between being at anchor and being on the quay depending on the weather. September weather was mixed with cloudy and wet days but still warm. November was hot, still T-shirt and shorts weather. Our last swim of the season was 17th November.

We had menu-del-dia once or twice a week, sometimes with Mike and Chris when they didn't have visitors and when Tan had a dental appointment in Puerto Alcudia we would often meet for a menu at Blau Maritim then walk back to Alcudia town and shop at Mercadona before getting the bus back or being chauffeured by Mike and Chris in their rental car. On one occasion we went with Mike and Chris for an all you can eat menu at Canyamel in Inca. It's always excellent there and fortunately far enough away to make it infrequent. When on the quay we occasionally ate out at night at Can Ferra in the evening.

On the 21st November we left Pollenca for our winter berth at Vilanova i la Geltru on the mainland.