Mahon to Cuitadella

Wednesday May 20th it's 25 kts through the harbour but we survived a noisy night. We tighten the lines and head of to town for coffee and a stroll.
At 12.00 we cast off and are soon doing 9.5 kts under just a tiny reefed genny in 25kts with Corey at the helm. White caps everywhere but we are confident that passage weather is predicting wins to drop on the west of the island and we will be in the lee of the south coast when we round the corner. Blue sky and 7 kts we reach along on a small headsail. Spindrift and white caps but thankfully no big waves. We hug the coast for 5 hours then just as the wind drops to a pleasant 15 kts we head north under engine to Cuitadella.
Forecast better for tomorrow and ok for the following crossing to Barcelona. Mahon continues to be battered by the Tramantana gale just 35 miles away.
Good call today although didn't see another boat sailing.

Mahon to Cala en Porter and back

Tuesday May 19th. The new crew wander into Mahon town and revitualise the boat followed  by coffee over looking the harbour.
The wind is 15-20 kts NE today but gale force tonight so we plan to return to a safe harbour tonight. It's Gray and Corey's first time on a yacht so we reach along the south coast with a couple of reefs in 20kts to Cala en Porter where we attempt to anchor for lunch a few meters of the beautiful white sandy beach. Unfortunately there is no shelter and the breeze keeps dragging the anchor so we take a slow cruise back to Mahon under the cliffs.
We go stern too on the town quay again this time our neighbours are a 100ft J class with 43m mast  (6 spreaders) here for the regatta next week. The delivery crew include a pregnant girl and 12 year old plus a few salty yachties.
Forecast overnight gales maybe dropping slightly lunchtime tomorrow.
The crew make the most of a late start and compare and contrast playlists with the help of various alcoholic beverages.

Mahon and the new team

Monday 18th May. Great sail into Mahon the harbour lined with evidence of the Spanish civil war and more historic military history. One of the deepest harbours in the world and 5 miles long we take a lazy line between 2 sunseekers for €23 euros!
We meet up with Paul and Jane for tapas and beer then say farewell to Colin Daren and Terry shortly followed by arrival of Dom Corey and Gray. The new crew are keen to celebrate a safe landing with Ryanair so several beers later we welcome them aboard.
Forecast breezy tomorrow!

Majorca to Menorca Blast

Sunday May 17 - Forecast 20kts northerly decreasing late pm. 40 mile hop N/E to Menorca. Perfect windward beat? Beautiful blue all day. Depart 11 am wind on the nose (obviously) builds to 30kts and 2-3m swell. Many breakfasts re-visited. Finally made a safe anchorage in Cala Galdana at 6pm showered and relax (or sleep for those with more sensitive stomachs)  Mahon tomorrow and last day for some.

Kev Does His Laundry

Creative knickers!

Storm bound in Porto Christo

Saturday 16th May - Two great coastal walks today care of Fasey Scary Tours. We skirted sheer cliff edges, extreme Spanish jungle and discovered hidden bays, cormorant ledges and lots of jeopardy.  And Colin descovered the elusive common spotted orchid. But there was always a sandy beach bar at the end. The gale roared above our heads but the blue sky and sunshine gave a false security until you looked  out to sea at the white water.
Maybe tomorrow.
We settled for a steak dinner and prepared for an early departure to get to Menorca in time to meet the plane.

Porto Petro to Porto Christo

Friday May 15th - After our adventure walking the coast with Fasey Fasey Stay Cheery Tours we have ice cream and say farewell to Russ who has cut short his trip to get back for an interview, apparently to do with something called "work".
Probably our best sail so far (sorry Russ) 16-18 kts broad reach parallel to the coast. We soon cover the 18 mile hop to Porto Christo and entered the winding habour entrance. This time there is a spot on the town quay. €23 compared to €85 on a club Nautico pontoon and much nearer the action. All fairly quiet the season not properly underway. We explore the town and river, cheap supermarket and inexpensive restaurants along the harbour wall.
The forecast is for gales in Menorca tomorrow so this is a nice place for a lay day.

Cala Mondrago and Porto Petro

Had an extremely long debrief after supper on Cabrera stretching into the early hours. None of us were unanimous on the search for the perfect digestif by the time (3.30am) all bottles are empty.
So to clear the head we marched up to the castle one last time before sailing off the mooring in a pleasant 15 kts S/E heading for a lunchtime swim in a lovely bay 18 miles up the coast at Cala Mondrago an old haunt from Colin's distant past. It did not disappoint. A turquoise bay with choice of 2 sandy beaches surrounded by sculpted rocks with caves to swim through and of course the beach bar.
After a couple of hours and a good swim it's time to head up the coast to Porto Petro. Another pleasant downwind leg and we take a stern to lazy line on the quayside of Club Nautico. It's a quiet fishing town very pretty. We eat paella  at a great restaurant by the boat the friendly owner telling us how much had changed since he worked with his father 40 years ago.
No partying tonight. We are all knackered.
Next morning we walk in the sunshine  round the dramatic coast back to Cala Mondrago. Beautiful!

Palma to Illa de Cabrera.

Wednesday May 13th. We motor out of Palma feeling like we must be the smallest ship in the bay. Millions of £££ of super yachts mostly not being used.
The coastline is layered rock the eroded sandstone forming deep thin caves.
We beat to windward in 11 kts until the wind died then motor sailed the remainder of the 28 miles to Ille de Cabrera an island and nature reserve off the southwest tip of Mallorca.  Mooring is free with no anchoring but permits must be arranged in advance. A castle dominates the enclosed bay which was a strategic defence for Palma and still maintained a military presence.
GnTs and bbqs as the sun sets. Tough life. In the morning we take the dinghy ashore and walk up the hill for the view from the castle before sailing off the mooring and heading north.

A stroll around Palma

Can't leave without exploring the old town so we stroll along the marina front just avoiding getting run down by the 100s of bikes on the cycle track then head inland through a shady plaza by the fort with swans nesting in the moat. Wandering aimlessly through the old town the narrow streets of 5 story buildings offer welcome shade. We stop for coffee and to listen to a couple of buskers, take a bearing and head to a leafy park leading to the cathedral. Nice to see the impressive building with unusual buttresses fully restored. Well worth a visit.

Ibiza to Mallorca and the Paps of Palma

Following the evening debrief and Spotify debate we retired at 2am and awoke early. Motor sailed the 48 miles to Mallorca in the 8kt Easterly breeze. The Paps of Palma visible 40 miles away. Found a berth on the town quay at Andraitx for €25. Found barbed hooks and awesome Italian pasta.
Monday morning was time to service the winches in the windless blue. Springs and bearings everywhere but we had a plan. Lots of photos and it all went back together smoothly. Our team of engineers sorted the electric winch too.
The 420s practiced in the harbour as the 10kt breeze slowly built. Time to go sailing. We cast of and headed East to Camp de Mar a lovely turquoise bay for lunch and a spot of fishing then enjoyed an 18 mile sail to Palma under full sail in 10kts, GnTs on the pontoon then off to town. Terry getting taxi to Magaluf.

Ibiza to Cala de Portinax

After a welcome lie in and a healthy breakfast Daren Colin and Andy head off to explore the mediaeval citadel and cathedral whilst Kev and Russ revitualise the boat and Terry had lie in.
The hours walk up to the cathedral through cobbled winding streets covered with mediaeval bunting was tastefully done with colourful street markets. Stunning views over the fortress canons of the southern islands from the summit.
A quick lunch then we slip the lazy line and head north up the coast. Leaving the busy cosmopolitan town of Ibiza behind the true beauty if the island is revealed. Idyllic hamlets between rocky headlands hide occasional white beaches. We shake out the sails and enjoy the peace of 6kts without the engine. Rounding the northeast corner of Ibiza we drop the sails and motor into the enclosed bay of Cala de Portinax. We manage to bag the perfect anchorage in a turquoise sandy 4m patch within swimming distance of the beautiful sandy beach and soon we are all enjoying a beer after a refreshing swim ashore.
The bbq is lit and the lasgoustines fight for space with Colin's freshly caught fish  followed by sausage and steak hashe.
The arms race of after dinner playlists is mellowed by the Havana Club.
Tomorrow Mallorca.