Archiv
CW28 2001
08.07.2001 - 14.07.2001
Today is Sunday, July 8, and we're still on Menorca, in Cala Fornells. And
since it's a Sunday we might as well sleep in. So we're taking it easy today.
Since we had quite strong winds again two days ago, we dropped a second anchor,
so we've got to weigh two anchors today. It's taking us some time though,
because the anchor itself and the chain, or rather the rope of the second
anchor are covered with mud and silt. And we'd rather clean that up nicely
before we finally take off.
| We leave Fornells and while exiting the bay
we pass by a regatta. No ordinary regatta though, no, its an old-timer-regatta.
With really old sailing ships, with lots of wood and traditional canvas
sails, no high tech. Nowadays you don't get to see things like that while
travelling. Beautiful, to watch them sail along with ease. And how much
harsher the contrast between such an original ship and that fat motor
yacht seems. Only 15 n.m. away from Fornells lies Cala de Algayerens. And that's already our final destination for today. A beautiful broad bay with two sand beaches and this beautiful turquoise water. It's pretty busy here as we arrive, but usually that changes towards the evening, since a lot of boats return to a harbour, a Marina. |
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Even the beaches are empty in the evenings and you can have a whole beach
to yourself. Nice, isn't it? Of course we take that opportunity and row the
dinghy to the beach. And while we're here we take a look around and wander
through the bushes. Allegedly there's a lagoon with plenty of "nature" and
wildlife behind the beach. Yeah, plenty of wildlife! All we can see are two
sheep staring dumbly at us. Further off we spot two black cows - and that's
it.
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We climb a hill to get a better view and reach a door. Of
course we also have to check what there is to see here! But besides a
few old, rather deep wells, there is nothing to be seen. But to be heard.
Suddenly there's a rustling in the bushes. Oh oh, there are some black
animals. Small, yes, but with horns! And suddenly one of us can run very
quickly! That much nature-experience wouldn't have been necessary. Talking of nature … right here nature has created one of those pieces of art again. Looking at the sea you get an impression of someone looking at you. It's a rock that looks just like a face seen in profile. I have no idea if everyone sees it, but we definitely do. For today Monday a slightly longer, but still manageable leg is planned. Our destination is Mallorca. It's only 40 nm away, so we can easily make it in half a day. Just to mention it: we saw some again - some dolphins. |
Arriving in Mallorca we want to weigh anchor in the Cala Formentor, but
it is forbidden. They have mooring buoys here now, so we secure to a buoy.
We've only just aimed at a buoy when a rubber dinghy with 2 people aboard
comes to help us secure - and to collect the fees - and with DM 40,- more
in their pockets they leave again. Not, that there were anything special in
the bay, there's only a very well known and very expensive hotel and there's
the Isla de Formentor, obviously inhabited by hundreds of sea gulls, since
we hear them scream all night.
Since it's about time we stopped at a harbour again, we set course for Puerto
de Alcudia on Tuesday.
We head straight for the fuel station to finally get some Diesel and water
again. In the meantime I take off to find out weather they still have room
for us for one day - and they do!
That wasn't to be expected at this time of the year, after all, it's very
busy now everywhere.
First we figure out what they offer here, then we take care of the most important
things like getting the laundry done and getting rid of our waste.
While strolling along the harbour we discover Tom's dinner: 5 cow halves hanging
over an open fire, getting grilled. That stuff is called Asada Argentina and
is served at the restaurant Ipanema Brasil. Not bad!
It'll take some time though, until those ribs are done - and until then, we've
got work to do. We remove the salt crust from SILVER BLUE and we also need
to clean the main sail, since it suffered a little in the scirocco we got
into last week in Fornells.
In the evening we mingle with the crowds on Alcudias streets. It's crazy,
what's going on here - and all under English or German control. Oh well.
A crowd has gathered on the beach. What might have happened? Young people
made animals out of sand. There is a huge starfish, an octopus and a dolphin
made from sand. Decorated and lit with candles - a piece of art in a way.
On Wednesday morning we get a Süddeutsche Zeitung (German newspaper) and fresh
bread from a bakery for breakfast. Tom was up and about early.
After picking up the laundry we leave again at 11 am. Today we'll also do
a few more miles. On our 42 n.m. journey we also pass Cala Millor and Cala
Ratjada, fairly unknown holiday places. Using our binoculars we can see how
overcrowded the beaches are and how many closely built hotels there are. We'll
if one likes it that way …
On our way we start a small race with another Catamaran and then a Trimaran
joins us. But of course we both don't stand a chance against that one. Oh
well, we need to change our course anyway since we want to go to Puerto Christo
and drop anchor in front of the harbour entrance. That means: down with the
sails and off towards the harbour entrance. Unfortunately it's overcrowded.
No room for us. Apparently we can't stay here, but we can't stay in a bay
tonight either.
So we go to Puerto de Colom. It doesn't look much better here either, it's
all full, but we smuggle ourselves into the crowd somewhere and stay.
It's 9 p.m. as our anchor splashes to the ground. And since there really isn't
much room we bring out some fenders. After that we take off to explore our
surroundings, since we need to do some shopping tomorrow. There is nothing
nice to be seen in this town, actually it looks rather weird. But it has what
we need and that'll have to do. After all, we don't want to stay here, just
pick somebody up.
We're getting visitors today. It's Thursday and we're expecting Petra and
Martin from Hildesheim. The two of them will spend a long weekend with us
and accompany us till Sunday.
After a light breakfast we do a little shopping, weigh anchor and leave Puerto
Colom.
We chose a nice bay and are travelling towards it. Oh, and here also, totally
overcrowded. That can't be true, can it? And that's how it stays, bay after
bay. The Caleta Mondragó also looks like that, but we drop anchor anyway.
Finally we can jump into nice, clean water again, so off we go. The decision
to stay here was a good one - in the evening everybody leaves, one after another,
and we have the bay to ourselves.
We have a nice, cosy dinner on board and then, off we go to our bunks, since
we're all rather tired.
Friday the 13th! So what!
We weigh anchor and sail. Out of the bay - around the corner - and up with
the sails. As soon as we've set sail someone brings out a fishing rod.
Martin wants to catch a fish. Well, we'll see what happens.
The wind is great and we can sail nicely.
Now and again we set the genaker and make good way.
Even though the bait is "bathed" for hours, not one fish wants to bite. Thank
God for restaurants, so we can eat our fish there. And by the way, tomorrow
is another day.
After dropping anchor in front of Puerto de Campos we first go swimming and
snorkelling. It's really quite funny to see all the things that wiggle, run
and swim along at the bottom of the sea. We see a sole family, a starfish,
sea snails and a lot of Hermit crabs. Hermits are crabs that "move into" empty
shells and carry them along wherever they go. It's funny, how they run along
with their shells.
In the evening we go ashore, to San Jorge and eat "our" fish there. And to
assist our fishing luck we buy some new bait. Let's say, to replace the lost
super-duper bait.
Speaking about super bait, it's about time for our culinary excourse: a noodle
salad, if you want to call it that!
You need:
5 tomatoes
dice them, spice them with salt, pepper, chopped parsley, Italian herbs (or
any other kind of herbs, depending on your taste), olive oil and Balsamic
vinegar.
While you let that sit, dice 2-3 small packs of mozzarella. Then cook 400
gr. noodles al dente.
Add the mozzarella to the tomatoes and mix. Then add the hot, drained noodles.
When you mix everything the mozzarella will start to melt a little and you're
a nice, light snack is finished!
Enjoy!
Today is Saturday, July 14, and we're heading towards Mallorcas East coast.
That seems to make the most sense, if you look at the weather forecast. We've
been travelling for one hour before we can finally set sail - and Martin can
finally start fishing.
Success is with the persistent ones.
Passing El Arenal and Palma we can easily see that they change charters in
the harbours on Saturday.
One sailing boat after the other leaves the harbour of Palma. And we could
also see the cathedral of Palma, if only from far. Still, beautiful to look
at. A very impressive building!
Unfortunately it's not only sailing boats travelling, no, also the ever unloved
motor boats. Scary how some race through the bays or roar past the bay entrances.
And it's totally idiotic, if the pass your stern in such a way, that they
cut your fishing line. Thanks!
Weekend, charter change: that means no hopes for a change from the overcrowded
bays. So also today we wander from bay to bay before we finally find a place
where we can spend the night. And since the weather forecast speaks of strong
winds it would be wise to find a secure place.
Bahia de Paguera is where we find what we need and we immediately occupy our
(and plenty of) space. Petra and I secure the tail line and with a 70 m anchor
chain and 100 m tail line we feel safe and secure.
Right now there's another Catamaran here, a kind of party boat. They pick
up people from the beach here and go on a 2-hour round-trip, in which time
the guests are filled up with Sangria and all kinds of other stuff. But since
they come and go it should be a quiet place soon.
We go to Paguera for a night cap and that's it for today and this week.
To see what the next week has brought us...... see us here next week, same place same wave!
so long
Greetings
Diana + Tom
