We needed about 20 hours to get back to the mainland. The weather was looking dodgy later in the week and a storm was expected this morning. Our only chance was to leave early afternoon and hope the forecast was more or less right. Black clouds swept in from the sea but the anticipated rain didn't come. We left about noon just as it was starting to clear. The first eight hours were a bit trying but we made good progress going to windward into the swell, propelled by force five winds. As predicted the wind died and we started motoring. I was expecting the wind to start up again about 2am and be blowing from where we were trying to go. Fortunately the wind remained light and the seas smooth as we neared land. By 5am we were just a few miles from our destination so I slowed down so we could approach the unfamiliar port in daylight. By 7:30 we were at the fuel bay and shortly after having breakfast at our berth.
We've all showered, the boat has had a first clean and I'm waiting for my new best friend Robert to come to the boat. He's coming to quote for all the work that needs to be carried out; the outboard won't work, the heater pours out steam and smells of burning, a bilge pump has packed up, the calorifier pressure release valve keeps dumping water into the engine compartment, a link in the anchor chain is rusting..... There's always something. And that's without all the things that I'm saving to be done over the winter. Anyway we're coming home soon so that's it from us until we returning late August.
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
Sunday, 6 July 2014
6th July
I'm having bad vibes about Soller. The forecast was for strong winds and perhaps rain. I took extra precautions with the anchor including putting out a kedge to hold us in position. Lucinda woke me at 3:30am as the boat had swung round 180 degrees and the kedge was dangling uselessly like a limp lettuce. It was difficult to get to sleep after that as the wind whistled and the boat bobbed and we swung close to the other vessels around us. During the morning the wind increased. Roger and Sue rowed ashore struggling against the wind, but Lucinda and I stayed here to look after Imagine. We've been alright although several boats have dragged their anchor and earlier the lifeboat was bringing in a succession of small craft. The plan was to head to the mainland tomorrow. That still might be possible. If we don't go the weather is predicted to turn bad again for another 5 days or more. In the meantime Lucinda is eating all the twiglets and I'm nervously aware of every creak and yaw.
5th July
The weather today was much better although there was no wind to help us on our way. We've done this leg before but were still enchanted by the wooded cliffs and hidden villages and terraced hillsides. We anchored for lunch a few miles short of Soller and arrived here mid afternoon. We've given up on the outboard and rowed ashore for supper overlooking the harbour.
Friday, 4 July 2014
4th July
Although secure on a buoy it was an uncomfortable night. At 4:30 there was no wind and the boat kept gently bumping against the buoy sending gentle rasping rouses echoing through the hull. By 6 am the wind had got up blowing straight down into the harbour and we were pitching unpleasantly. The morning was overcast and we made a decision to stay another night. By the afternoon it had all calmed down. We went ashore in time to watch the Germany France match. There are lots of Germans here and they were pleased with the result. I tried to persuade the others to have a curry wurst to celebrate. They all decided they would prefer going back to the boat to eat.
Thursday, 3 July 2014
3rd July
We had a frisky wind last night. He boat kept swinging round getting tangled up in our mooring buoy. When the buoy bounces against a hull the noise echoes throughout the boat suggesting something terrible is taking place on deck. I had to get up twice in the night to sort it out. We also had a rain storm which deposited red dust over the decks. Lucinda did a great job washing it all off, although it might have been better to close all the hatches beforehand. The forecast for today was for high winds and possible rain. We were intending to go to the small cove that had no room for us the other day. However with the forecast as it was I wanted a secure berth for the night. We therefore decided to head straight for the Port D'Andratx, thus missing the whole of Palma bay including Magaluf. It was a fast but somewhat bumpy passage. We are now secure on a buoy just off the old town.
2nd July
This morning we walked up to the castle guarding the entrance to the bay. It looks as though it has grown out of the rock. There was a narrow winding staircase to access the upper parts. Disabled access did not to be considered by architects of old. Sue went for a swim round the boat and got stung for her troubles. I therefore inspected the underwater parts of the boat by hanging off the side of the dinghy with just my head under water. Once again the outboard wasn't working. We took it apart and peered at the spark plug hoping for inspiration. When we put it back together it still didn't work. In the evening we went for a guided walk up to the top of the island. The views were extraordinary looking out towards Africa (too far away to see) and down over the natural harbour in which we were moored.
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
1st July
1st July
1st July
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)