5th September

We headed off early back to Sant Carles where Imagine will remain for the winter. The first few hours we motored. A low black cloud was in our path and as we entered it's shadow it dumped it's accumulated water on us. At least the decks were cleaned. As forecast a light breeze appeared, typically it was blowing directly over our bows. Later the sun came out and the wind veered round. Engines off we sailed the last 20 miles. As we entered the shallow lagoon where Sant Carles is situated we encountered the fishing fleet heading for home. There were about 25 white and blue, red and green hulls all powering as though they were in a race. And perhaps there was a race to be first back. We were wallowing around under sail as one pair headed in our direction. One passed closely to port, the other missed us by a whisker to starboard. It only became apparent at the last moment that the boat to starboard was under autopilot with no one keeping a lookout. The sailors in the stern looked as shocked as we felt as they skimmed past. We will probably go out once or twice into the lagoon and then pack up. The engines are booked for a service on Wednesday and we are scheduled to be lifted out and placed on the hard on Friday.