Sep. 15, 2007 - Accross the Calas

11 September 2007

Awoke at 08.30 and once again the statutory re-fuelling (oh Nige is very stringent on his duty now!), topping up water tank and supply shop and prepared for our leg to Majorca.  I had a slight headache courtesy of extremely large gins last night but the journey was kind and not too rough.  WOFN still so motor-sailed and decided to go into Puerto Adriano rather than La Repita and it meant we could crack on and have a sail before our arrival at 21.00 hrs.  It was a huge walk around the perimeter of the marina so, after showering, we went straight to eat at a local Italian restaurant, accompanied by wet hair and plastic carrier bags holding our shower gear (not such a good example of suave, British sailors, that we like to portray!) but it was late, dark and we all felt pretty knackered.  We were also surrounded by Sunseekers of magnificent proportions, mainly German, and felt distinctly outnumbered as one of only two yachts in the marina.  Tummies replete, we made our way back along the marina wall keeping a beady eye out for cockroaches.  Norm had the company of one in the loo earlier (needless to say it beat a hasty retreat when Norm got his tackle out!!)  Nige saw one scuttling across the path on our way back to the boat – eeek!

12 September 2007

Up 0600 for early start to Puerto Llonga.  Strong winds whistled around the headland as we left the harbour and, for the first time in days, Nige smiled like a Cheshire cat!  Oh yes! 25-27 knots on the beam, initially and a brilliant sail for the first leg of the journey but, as we rounded the headland, to head up to Puerto Llonga you guessed it wind OTFN! leading to a monotonous motor up the coast,  spray-hood up, rough and wet, eventually arriving at 19.15 hours.|  Very pretty marina with a palm-tree lined road and fairy lights – aah!  Showered and had probably one of the best meals so far.

A welcome bed by midnight.

Stonking sail to Puerto Llonga

13 September 2007

Awoke to the sound of thunder, lightening and rain at 05.30.  We had intended to leave early but waited until most of the lightening abated.  Eventually getting off  by 07.30 for our last leg with Norm aboard to Menorca.  Cloudy sky and lumpy sea was not pleasant sailing but by 13.15 we had full sails up and Nige once again beaming as Atlantico reached 7.5 knots.  He challenged Norm to match his record speed which Norm duly achieved – you can imagine the male testosterone banter – boys will be boys!!  Saw some jumping fish which Norm reckoned could have been tuna and a gaggle of rafts with palm tree fronds acting as sails floating down wind – surreal!  We had Menorca in our sights at 17.00 but as the wind again swang hard onto our nose we had to motor-sail up to Mahon Harbour which we entered eventually at 21.00.  Finally secured to a floating pontoon for the night Nige and Norm inflated the tender and we made for the quayside and a quick Tex-mex meal.  Back on board by midnight we crashed, no showers, feeling like the wreck of the Hespirus!!

Good meal at Puerto Llonga.