31st May

Once again we headed out of San Antonio, possibly for the last time. The plan was to head to Espalmador to meet Rob and Carolyn on Blue Sky. We were running late so we headed directly to Ibiza town. We discovered they had left early and were already berthed in one of the marinas. We motored alongside and said hello. The marina turned us down, as did the Club Náutico, so we headed round the corner to anchor in Cala Talamanca. The plan is to eat on shore tonight.

30th May

The blog recommences. Our week in the UK was exhausting. We are now back on Imagine and need a holiday. However we no longer have holidays so we will soldier on. I have now discovered that the only engineer in the Balearics for our broken outboard works opposite our berth. However he is on sick leave for another week. I brought a propeller repair kit from the UK which I had to get from Lowestoft. It cost 120 euros. All I needed was a 0.39 Euro pin which the gave me for nothing here in Ibiza.

21st and 22nd May

Yesterday morning was overcast so we hung around at anchor until noon when we could enter the marina. The rest of the day was spent packing up and doing jobs before eating ashore.
Today we took a taxi to the airport and flew to Gatwick. We are now waiting in London for a breakdown service as Lucinda's car would not start. C'est la vie.

This blog is now on holiday for a week.

20th May

We had another wild night at anchor. The morning was cold (ish) and overcast. By late morning it was becoming brighter and we went ashore and found someone who should be able to fix the outboard (fingers crossed). We continued walking along the seashore until we found a restaurant several bays further on. It was then back to the boat. We re anchored this morning to get a bit more space. The wind swung round this evening to put us close to a navigation buoy. We had to move again. Hopefully tonight will be peaceful.

19th May

We woke up to find the boat more or less where she had been the night before, always a good start. The forecast was for cloud and perhaps a bit of rain and it was predicted to be like that for the next three days. We sailed west in perfect sailing conditions hitting well over 8 knots. Port Roig was 10 miles away and we planned to take a look. It's a secluded and very sheltered inlet but there are no facilities ashore. Faced with several days of inclement weather we thought it best to head back to San Antonio. At least there we can take bus trips, walk and find some entertainment. I also spoke to the electric outboard agent in the UK who was not much help. Fortunately there is an agent on the harbour road almost opposite us. Sadly he had packed up early. We'll hopefully find out tomorrow if he can fix the engine.

18th May

What a glorious feeling waking up after a peaceful night secure in a tranquil inlet. The British man sailing alone rowed ashore with his dogs and we headed back to Formentera. It took 3 hours to motor to Caló de S'Oli a large bay just west of Puerto De Sabina, Formentera's harbour. We took the dinghy ashore after lunch. The main town on the island is San Francisco Xavier which is a couple of miles inland. We took a taxi there and arrived shortly before all the shops shut for siesta. Lucinda needs her walk so we took another bus 9km out of town and walked back arriving just in time for the shops to open. It was then back to the harbour and the relief of seeing Imagine still resting to her anchor in the bay. It was a lovely day so something had to go wrong. On the way back my new electric outboard refused to work at anything above half revs. There is no mention of the possibility of anything like this in the handbook. Will BA let me take an outboard back as hand luggage on Friday?

17th May

We had an uncomfortable night as the swell rolled into the lagoon. In the morning we crossed the bay to Formentera but didn't fancy the anchorage by the harbour so we went further south to Cala Sahona. We anchored off the beach but couldn't escape the swell so I decided not to stick around. Instead we headed up the west coast of Ibiza. On the way the wind died and the sea became smoother. We ended up in Cala Llonga where we anchored for the night. This is a well sheltered narrow inlet with hotels on either side and a beach at the apex enclosed by restaurants and shops. As the sun started to set we went ashore to eat.

16th May

Last night was more peaceful, largely because I rearranged the shore lines. However in the process I became stranded on the pontoon and had to get Lucinda out of bed to help which took a lot of yelling. The wind was still strong in the morning and we had to beat into heavy seas to get out of the bay. Once round the corner and heading south we were sailing downwind so everything became a lot pleasanter. Throughout the day the wind kept us guessing blowing between west and east and anything from over 20 knots to zero. We ended up anchored off Espalmador, across the bay from Formentera. We sat on the foredeck (or rather I sat and Lucinda lay) and ate on board.

15th May

The hull is like an echo chamber. Wind noise is magnified and every creak of a rope reverberates through the boat. Neither of us slept much last night. It blew fairly hard but it sounded like a tornado down below and every slight movement was mirrored by the tensing and relaxing of the lines. Thinking something dreadful was going on I would go on deck only to find Imagine secure and fairly peaceful in her berth. In the morning we set off with a purpose on the bus to Ibiza town. We had a 14k walk mapped out, round the harbour, along the shore to S'Estanyol, and back. Thankfully it was a lot cooler than yesterday. After a couple of hours we got to the beach at S'Estanyol. There was a bar with tables and chairs arranged on the terrace. I was desperate for a drink. Sadly it was closed. So it was back up to the top of the mountain and the direct inland route back to Ibiza town. After lunch we had a quick walk through the old town before it was back on the bus.

After recuperation I got to work while Lucinda walked to the supermarket. I have now finally, I hope, fixed the toilet. I also had to rebuild the shower drain and pump which also seems to be working. All three of our fresh water hoses began leaking so they have all been ditched and we have a new reinforced 25m hose. I can't think of any more outstanding task. Something will occur no doubt. It's time for a shower and then out to eat.

14th May

I had a restless night thinking the wind would get up and concerned the anchor would drag. My fears were unfounded and despite regularly getting up to check, the wind died away and the boat remained peacefully at anchor. Just before noon the wind suddenly increased. We had a challenging time berthing in the fuel bay before making our way to the pontoon in the marina. All afternoon the charter boats came into the berths opposite us. They must have been summoned back to base. Apart from when they threatened to prang us it provided some amusement watching the attempts to come in and park with a strong cross wind complicating the whole business. I spent the afternoon investigating the gas alarm and cleaning out toilet hoses. Later Gavin and Lica came aboard for beers. They have been heading round the world from New Zealand and are heading to Scandinavia and then London in time for the rugby World Cup.ag

13th May

We had a peaceful night secured to the rock face. In the morning the atmosphere was damp and there were low clouds over the hills. Beyond our cosy cove white horses were riding the surface of the sea. Outside our shelter the wind was blowing 20 knts but in the perfect direction to blow us north at 7 knts under reacher alone. We've retreated to the harbour of San Antonio. The bottom is mainly weed. We had 5 goes at anchoring as we kept on dragging. Fingers crossed we won't drift tonight. The wind is predicted to be strong tomorrow so we've booked into the marina for two nights from tomorrow. That will give us the opportunity to water up and to take a bus to see Ibiza town. Maybe we'll meet Ed Miliband. He's meant to be here.

12th May

The weather still remains benign, at least in this side of the island. We retraced our steps eastward beyond Sant Antonio to a small bay, Cala Badella. This is a rocky sided inlet with limited room to swing at anchor. Lucinda loves these places as we drop anchor, reverse towards the cliff wall, and then she has to row ashore with a long line to tie around a suitable rock. If this works, and it usually does, the anchor stretches out into the middle of the bay and we have two lines holding us back to the shore. We are now at a bar on the beach enjoying a sundowner. Let's hope everything remains secure overnight.

11h May

We got up early for a long walk up to the lighthouse and beyond. We had instructions from the tourist office but still got lost in the woods. Happily we eventually found our way back to discover Imagine was the only boat in the bay. Sadly the toilet macerate is not working. This is the device that chews up paper and bodily wastes and without it we are at risk of catastrophic and smelly toilet failure. Googled the manufacturers website but could not find any instructions. An online forum said they were crap toilets - inevitably. Never mind. We've been joined by one German and two British boats.

10th May

This morning we walked along the cliff to an old lookout tower overlooking the sea. After lunch we sailed 4 miles up the coast to Portinax. This is another bay sheltered from every direction except the North. It has a handful of restaurants, a few shops, a couple of hotels and buses to other parts of the island. We were here last year. The forecast for Thursday night is for strong winds so we thought a night in a marina might be sensible. One of the marinas in Ibiza town quoted 173 euros per night without power or water. No thanks. We'll probably go back to Sant Antonio. We will see. We took the dinghy ashore to eat. We're on a waterside balcony, a man is quietly playing the Spanish guitar and the sun is setting over the bay. Imagine is peacefully at anchor with 4 other boats.

9th May

The winds were from the east so we headed up the west coast. On the way the winds off the cliffs were 25 knots or more but we made steady progress in fairly smooth waters. By noon we were anchored in Port Miguel, a sheltered inlet with a beach, several restaurants, a Spar and a couple of hotels; perfect. One of the hotels was a grand tiered edifice which I thought was rather grand. Lucinda thought it was ghastly. We went ashore for drinks, tapas and a wander before eating onboard.

8th May

We got up early and went for an 8 mile walk. It took us out of San Antonio and along the coast until we turned inland and headed back. While we were out our MP, Simon Hughes, had been ousted. Cameron was back as PM, and Miliband, Farage and Clegg had all resigned. As forecast the wind increased in the afternoon and its direction reversed several times so that the view out of the window swung from shore to sea as we swung at the end of the anchor. I have a headache from the incessant bass beat coming from the shore. After all this is Ibiza's party capital. We'll go ashore later to eat.

7th May

Sadly our postal ballot forms arrived in Spain a day after we left the marina. We have no responsibility for the next government elected in today's general election. We had a peaceful night at anchor although in the morning we were facing the opposite direction from when we dropped the hook. We've been ashore and had a wander round. Soon we will take the dinghy ashore for a wander and a drink. The wind is getting up tomorrow so we will stay another day.

6th May

We're now in Ibiza. The winds were favourable and we sailed the total 58 miles to San Antonio. We anchored in the harbour and hope it holds. The toilet blocked again. My task for this evening involves rubber gloves and a bucket.

5th May

This morning we went to visit the castle. We could see how the town has expanded and changed over the last century. It is a fishing and recreational harbour as well as a gateway to the Balearics. In the evening we had Tapas in town

4th May

We're now in Denia, the most expensive marina on the coast as the lady in the office gleefully told me. We had to motor the whole way in windless conditions. Today's problem was the blocked toilet. I knew what to do as this happened last year. I am now smelly and wet and we don't have electricity or a laundrette.


Sent from my iPhone

3rd May

The forecast suggested it would have been a tedious grind to get to Denia so we stayed another day. Off to the zoo the by tram and train. What a brilliant place. Only African animals in naturalistic surroundings and a fabulous live show. By early afternoon it was stiflingly hot and we crawled back to the refuge of the boat to chill out. As it cools we'll go for a wander and get ready for departure tomorrow.

2nd May

It looks like something is wrapped round my port propeller. I spent the morning investigating. I should just jump in the water and gave a look. I finally concluded that, probably, it's ok. Let's hope so. We went into Valencia old town for lunch and did touristy things. Then off to ride the big wheel by the harbour and supper by the beach.

1st May

The sun hung low behind the cranes as we left this morning. The first couple of hours were windless. Then the wind picked up blowing strongly directly from Valencia. We spent several hours making slow progress tacking up the coast. As we neared our destination the seas became smoother and we motored the last 10 miles into the marina.

30th April

Time to leave Sant Carles. We set off early heading south down the Spanish coast. The wind was light and we motored most of the way to Castellon, a commercial harbour with a fishing port and marina attached. We walked ashore but there was not much to see, and then ate aboard.