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Cruising donkeys

Cruising donkeys

traveled in 12 countries Read more🇬🇬Guernsey
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    Greek theatre
    Roman AmpitheatrePasta options, not sure about chocolate pasta?Ear of DionysisCaves at top of greek theatre1Fruit salad using fruit bought in the market

    Syracuse ruins

    June 10, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    We visited the ruins of the Greek theatre, the Roman amphitheatre, the Ear of Dionysus and quarry, Sanctuary of Madonna and a museum dedicated to the works of Archimedes and Leonardo. The Greek Theatre is from 5th century BC and could accommodate 15,000. It is used during May and June for the production of Greek tragedies when they cover a lot of it with wood so it can used without destroying the ruins. Amphitheater the arena is one of largest of its kind built 2nd century AD unlike Greek one this was for entertainment not elevation of men’s minds. The Ear is part of the quarries that served as prisons for defeated Athenians but acoustics are incredible you can whisper at back of the Ear and its easily heard outside. The Sanctuary is a very modern church built in the 1960s of concrete, it is a ribbed cone of 2levels, the crypt which looks to me much like a church with the usual little chapels or are they called naves around the edge, and the main church very modern and open we had to scurry out quickly as a service started as we were wandering round. In the photos you will see one of very pretty pasta options and a plate of fruit. Anyone one recognise the blackberry looking things, they were lovely but weren’t blackberrys.Read more

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    Duomo
    Church of St LucyVermexio Palace (town hall)Archimedes fountainOpps forgottenArchimedes statue

    Syracuse/Ortigia

    June 9, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Lovely anchorage in Syracuse bay looking at the old town of Ortigia, far enough away for the music to be pleasant background only, but close enough to get there by dinghy. Ortigia is an island accessed via 2bridges from the mainland. It has lots of old buildings but also lots of open piazzas and we spent a great day wandering around the streets, always on the shaded side! Temperature 30c between 12and 5.Read more

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    Porto Palo

    June 8, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Hello again, well talk about famous last words I think I wrote something about getting a good nights sleep in my last post well I had settled for the night but the wind was picking up from the N.E. which meant sea would get much worse. Unfortunately it is now dark but we decide we can’t stay so discuss options, further up coast to marina and try to moor unaided in the dark not my first choice, or return a few miles to Porto Palo and anchor. This is more sensible we can follow our day time route on the plotter and use harbour light so find the port and then anchor. Well its OK we made it and the night once we were thee was settled and quiet. In the end we spent three nights here before going to Syracuse. While in Porto Palo we explored an old, well we think it was a fish farm or factory, wierd place. But we are now in Syracuse we arrived on Friday after, in my opinion, a horrendous trip from Porto Palo i admit it was lumpy but I think perhaps I had sun stroke because it wasn’t really as bad as the way my body reacted. I spent most of either leaning over side or lying on the floor!Read more

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    Butterfly
    Old olive tree trunkNesting pigeonCactus that appear to be growing on a shed roofSouthern most point of Sicily

    Isola de Capo Passero

    June 5, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    Long day today, we anchored last night off the beach from Scoglitti very peaceful but by 5 am there was a fair amount of swell and we rolling around a lot. Suddenly John leaps out of bed announcing ‘that’s it I have had enough of being dive bombed by mosquitoes and rolling around we’re off’ ummm OK then. So engine on anchor up and off we go along the south coast and then little ways up the East coast to our current location, I slept a lot of journey as because of mozzies the last few nights and the wedding parties before that when we were at San Leone I haven’t had much sleep but now John has finally put up the mozzy net so should be OK as long as the swell stays light. Some random photos today.Read more

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    Temple of Zeus
    Meeting place Grrek Theatre at museum siteStatue at Temple of ZeusTemple of ConcordiaStatue from Zeus temple now in museumTemple of Hera/Juno

    Valley of the Temples

    June 3, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    So we made an early start to catch the 8:30 bus which arrived at 8:45 never mind. Then a short walk to one of the ticket offices and we were in. It was a bit confusing at first as they had no maps, well no free maps anyway so we were a bit aimless initially and ended up walking one route three times, which it was a bit warm for really. Anyway we saw most things in the end, the most impressive was the Temple of Concordia mostly because this was the one that has been the most reconstructed so less imagination required, the Temple of Zeus would have been the biggest and this is where the giant statues were found, we didn’t go to the gardens as were told that it was really the wrong time of year? From the Temples we walked to the Museum to see some of the hundreds of artefacts recovered at the temple sites, the museum was at the site of the Greek theatre or meeting place. Then after waiting 40 mins for a bus back to boat we gave up and walked up to the old town of Agrigento before catching ‘a ticky tacky tour’ bus from the station to the marina, this bus went everywhere before it took us home!Read more

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    Sciacca port looking sw
    Ceramic cockerel a bit odd so decided a photo was requiredBasilica in SciaccaReally friendly looking bush hanging over pavement waiting to catch the unwaryScenery between Sciacca and San LeoneScenery between Sciacca And San Leone this might be the town Realmont but plotter not specific

    Marina San Leone near Agrigento

    June 1, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    We are now here in San Leone near the site of the old town known as Akragas, once Sicily’s richest city, tomorrow we are headed to the Valle dei Templi, so expect photos of ruined Greek temples and stones. For now I attach photos from Sciacca where we spent last night, it’s a bit dusty and tired as most cities here on Sicily appear to be, but was once a thriving spa town with thermal baths and famous for its ceramics. We were surprised at the number of trawlers as, like I mentioned we had spent the previous night at Mazara de Vello, which was per our guide book the largest trawler port in Sicily but it had very few boats though a thriving ship building and destroying business.Read more

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    Duomo in Mazara
    Insid3 Duomo in MazaraCeiling inside DuomoStreet art in Mazara KasbahTemple at SelinunteTemple at Selinunte

    Mazara de Vello

    May 30, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    So after leaving the Egadi Islands, only because our permit expired, we headed back Sicily, we debated whether to go back Marsala or a little further to Mazara. There was very little wind so we decided to go to Mazara but, and I think this was just because I had enjoyed a week of light winds and very short trips, the wind picked up and we ended up coming into the port in force7-8 hilarious! Thankfully there were Marineros to assist us and we were between two other yachts the owners of which were not around so we could use them as fenders to ease ourselves in. Mazara is apparently biggest trawler port on Sicily and it was definitely very commercial but not very many trawlers in the water. The main site in the town was the 11th century Duomo (church) with its baroque makeover from 17century and second the moorish Kasbah with its narrow streets marked with tiles and street art, there were of course lots of other churches. John decided to do an oil change here as there was somewhere to get rid of the waste oil and we were told by a local somewhere to buy some more. We ended up buying the new oil from a family company called L’Armanavi they were brilliant, they didn’t have enough so phoned around, bot the oil delivered to them and then drove us and the oil back to the marina. Can’t fault their customer service! From here we headed along coast and passed Selinunte we had hoped to be able to anchor and go up to the ruins but there was still far too much swell so only photos which means we need to go to Agrigento for ruins there.street art in MazaraRead more

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    Beach bar at Cala Rotunda
    Cala RotundaView west from top of passView east from top of passCastella CataloniaQuarry pit

    Egadi Islands

    May 26, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    So far we have spent 5nights just cruising around and anchoring it was been so relaxing I am almost beginning to enjoy ‘sailing’ again. Well actually on one day we stayed on board as it was windy but only a little choppy, but from a more exposed direction and that might have been bad but I dozed and also went for a swim which was lovely. We have also been for a bit of an extreme cycle, it started well on tarmac then became gravel and then bedrock before we arrived somewhere a bit like Perelle shingle bank where we walked, then great gravel then tarmac to the lighthouse. But we were currently on the west side of the island and wanted to go to the east side, to town for food before completing the circuit. Now I admit we could have gone the easy route on the main road and past the boat but hey this is us so we decided we would go up and over, there was a track marked on the map so should be OK well No. The first section would have been OK if we had mountain bikes it wasn’t very steep but it was very loose and our road tyres could get no traction, then after a strategic zigzag the gradient increased to about 40-45degrees and was still loose underfoot, would have been fairly horrible without the bikes but with them and the beautiful blazing sun it was not fun. I would have thrown my rattle if I had had one. But the views were good. Sadly we couldn’t ride down the other side initially but had to continue to walk though it was a lot easier down than up and path was wider and more stable. Once we reached the first house we could ride again and headed to town for food and more importantly a drink, we had expected to find cafes or kiosks during the morning but we only saw one that was open and that was only just after starting. After lunch we headed off around the other half of the island and loads of quarry pits both on land and on the coast and on the beach the rock is very soft and it looked like people had bought a plot of land and then quarried there own stones to build the houses, so most gardens had pits in them. There was also a couple of commercial sites and historic sites on the coast and the beaches. This half of ride was mostly on grit paths so was fine. We stopped for an orange juice at a mobile lemon. They used to have one at Beaulieu car museum. A globe on wheels those top half flipped open, ours was a lemon but there was an orange as well and they both served orange juice or lemon granita. The remaining part of the ride was easy enough but we had been out in the sun for while by now. Today we cruised to Levanzo island and had a look around only one small town a couple of isolated houses and not much else as the island has very little flat land, it’s Saturday today and there are quite @ few other boats in the anchorage but we are only Brits.Read more

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    Cala Longa anchorage Favagnana
    Anchorage looking southPit where we think they quarry local stone which is softTuna net anchors with factory in background

    Isole Egadi (West of Sicily)

    May 22, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    As I am now thoroughly fed up of long trips and forecast looks fairly settled with only very light winds I persuaded John that we should go to these islands and anchor up at various bays for a few days. Our first stop is Favignana which seems nicer than the mainland probably because it is more touristy so cleaner. The Sicilians not seem to see all the rubbish on their streets and hard shoulders. These Islands used to have thriving tuna industries so there are some old canning factories but they were also defensive positions with forts on the hilltops. While walking through the town we kept seeing pits like the one photographed which we have concluded is where each family quarried for the stone to build there properties, the stone is soft. We also saw this old wooden boat and thought of Dave and Jane our friends from Almerimar though this is probably a project too far even for them. Now if the sun could come out tomorrow things would be great is has been drizzling all afternoon which puts a dampener on things and means the photos really don’t do the place justice.Read more

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    Church in Marsala
    Fountain in MarsalaCouncil building marsalaGuernsey donkey! Marsala

    Marsala in Sicily

    May 21, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    After leaving Tunisia on Sunday morning and this was delayed because we managed to fuel up much faster than expected so we were ready before 12 which was the time we had told the various authorities when we arrived and they weren’t all there so had to drive back to the port! Odd system.
    The trip was uneventful, it took 20hours and yet again wasn’t the beautiful flat trip I had hoped for. The one odd experience we had was early on, we were motoring along with foresail up to steady us, when we saw a yacht on the horizon but it kept changing direction it was like watching a North Atlantic convoy, was we got closer we concluded they kept going in circles and were fishing but still weird! We encountered very little other traffic until it got dark when we appeared to be crossing the main shipping channel with radar blobs in all directions but at least the shift passed quicker. We arrived in Sicily a port called Marsala, yes where the fortified wine is made, at 7:30am I awoke when we came through pier heads and John slowed the boat so no preparation and there were 3 small marinas didn’t know VHF channels which were big enough or anything. Luckily a marinara was already at work repairing pontoons and saw us milling and directed us in and helped with mooring up, he then suggested we breakfast as office wasn’t open yet.
    We did as suggested and after checkin* in went to get our Costituto as we had arrived from non EU country I don’t think anyone else does this as took ages to find papers and complete, we also did more shopping then rested before walking into town and being surprised how pleasant it was as the marina area was a bit grim. On our walk home we found a link to our own island a donkey.    Read more

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    Tunis Bardo Museum

    May 19, 2018 in Tunisia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Hello a bit of catching up to do, so like I said the plan was Carthage and Sidi Bou Siad but in the end we were convinced by our taxi driver to go to the Bardo museum in Tunis, this did mean we got to see a bit of the capital and I am pleased we went the museum is apparently the second largest in Africa after Cairo and the mosaics were impressive though we couldn’t find an answer to the question that was puzzling us which is how on earth did they lift and move them? Anyway here are just 6 photos of the many I took at the museum of the mosaics and also the rooms themselves as if I remember correctly the museum is housed in a palace.Read more

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    Roman Amphitheatre
    Cathedral and old Carthage townSt Antoines BathsRoman villaReservoir one of 15 in this locationSurface of reservoirs

    Carthage

    May 19, 2018 in Tunisia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    OK so we saw lots of different archeological sites in Carthage the first and least impressive was the Roman amphitheater mostly because it was very much a ruin so difficult to imagine the true scale. From there we went to the Carthage Basra museum and grounds ,the museum was actually closed for refurbishment but that was OK as the write ups said it wasn’t very good anyway but in the grounds were Punic ruins of the old town early second century BC and the Old Cathedral. Next the St. Antonine Roman baths third largest in Roman world, they were impressive then the Roman villas where for those of us with little imagination they have rebuilt one. We also saw the Punic harbour and the Trophet (children’s cemetery sort off, but only for the first born of each family and they were apparently cremated after their throats were cut). Nearly done so off we went to the Roman theatre, which wasn’t very historic only a few old bits still exist but it has been rebuilt and is used for music festivals in the summer, and finally the cisterns/reservoirs, we didn’t have any info on them but they were impressive and must have stored a lot of water that was brought down from somewhere whose name starts with Z by aquaduct.Read more

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    Marina Gammarth
    Marina GammarthOld fashion ceramic fishing pots? Not sure what they would catchTake Five looking a bit small in a 40m mooringArrival and departure form TunisiaArrival form Tunisia

    Tunisia Marina Gammarth

    May 18, 2018 in Tunisia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    We have added another country to the list and both bought cheap fuel and left the EU, something a non EU flagged boat has to do every 18months. We had thought we might stop in Albania on our way to Greece but no need now and fuel is a third of EU prices almost on a par with Gib but not quite. We travelled 145Nm to get here, during the day it was flat calm but very boring the highlight was 10 mins with 3dolphins playing on the bow as we went along. During darkness there was more chop and swell and also a lot more traffic, during daylight hours we saw maybe 5 boats but overnight there seemed to be loads and they seemed intent on travelling straight at us we kept having to change the autopilot course. At the end of Johns first shift he stopped the boat I leapt out of bed, no crisis but a trawler was now affectively alongside after it kept zig zagging across our bows. The Marina is modern and isn’t very local but it is secure with 24hour security and the staff are very helpful most people seem to speak French as second language so we are getting on OK must just stop saying Si instead of Oui. That said clearance procedures took 2hours each department wanting copies of the same documents and us filling in 3 separate but very similar forms and saying where we are going including any other places in Tunisia so they can all be listed and both what day and time we are leaving the country, after that we needed a nap. Tomorrow we are taking a taxi to Carthage for some more ruins, not the best in the country but the closest and also visiting is the town of Sidi Bou Said but it’s Ramadan so not sure if cafes will be open hopefully there are enough tourists around to make staying open worthwhile.Read more

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    Southern coast Cabo Spartivento
    Southern coast Cabo SpartiventoAnchorage at Pula and old churchRoman ruins at NoraRoman theatre at NoraMosaics at Nora from Roman merchants home

    Pula and ancient Nora

    May 16, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    From Porto Malfatano we hugged the coast to Pula and the ancient city of Nora. The coastline started harsh and beautiful and became wide open turquoise beaches lovely but developed. Things didn’t look too bad though because the trees hid the second row of houses etc. The beach just to the east of Cabo di Pula was where we anchored we got there early because we wanted to get some shopping done and weren’t sure if the supermarket would be closed 1-5 it wasn’t but we got to it in time anyway but it was a bit of a hike, the 40 mins on the way there was nice enough the trolley and bags were empty and the sky overcast, the walk back seemed to take a lot longer with full sunshine so we had a well earned ice cream before reboarding. The Italian family using the dinghy as a wind break and clothesline were most put out when we returned to claim it and take our shopping aboard. Later that day I went for a tour around the Roman ruins of Nora the town dated from Phoenician times but the Romans had built on top and recycled the stone so no real evidence in the ruins of the previous occupants just from the ceramics that had been excavated.Read more

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    Mooring near Port Teulada just in military zone
    Military transporter we woke up near heli's landing craft etcLooking back at the Teulada marina and Budello towerLatte Machiatto in TeuladaCliffs between Sant'Antioco and Teulada

    Porto Malfatano

    May 15, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    So after leaving Jess and Chris to catch the ferry back to the mainland, they were headed north we were going south or we would have given them a lift, we left port and headed across to Sant’Antioco and then down the coast and then to the mainland proper. We went around some of the military restricted area but not all of it as it extended offshore a long way and we could see other yachts and fishing boats in the excluded zone. We saw some yachts anchored in bays in the exclusion zone and debated joining them but our chart said the bay contained unexplored ordinance and anchoring was prohibited so we moved on! In the end we settled for a bay just inside the exclusion zone by about 500m but no bombs. It was beautiful, small quiet, clear water and lovely sunshine. I had a lovely swim and John even managed a circuit of the boat, I could hear him all the way. Just a things were darkening we noticed some odd lights coming our way in the morning we found out a military transporter was nearby. The following night we went to the Port Teulada marina as higher winds forecast and yes they did arrive but we were snug in the marina we rode into town but as it was Sunday we could only get a coffee but it was a good one. Next day a short hop to where we are now, it was rougher than forecast and a little overcast we wandered ashore walked to tower with no door only a window you needed a ladder to reach and to the beach cafe, more coffee. Today we decided to do a bit of kayaking it was good but the paddle back was harder than anticipated as wind had come up while we were round the corner. Tomorrow’s plan is Pula will let you know how it goes.Read more

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    Anchorage south of San Pietro
    View on San PietroCarloforte townCarloforte townCarloforte townStowaways Jess and Chris

    Calasetta and Isola San Pietro

    May 11, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    So on Liberation Day we met two fellow Guerns, Jess and Chris on Sant’Antioco and had a lovely Italian lunch before they headed off to their campsite and we wondered around Calasetta town. We were lucky enough to be given two huge tuna steaks by a Brit who had caught the fish on his way over from Menorca, we BBQ’d them but ended up eating one that night and saving the other for Tuna Nicoise. The following evening we returned to San Pietro and went for a walk to get a coffee and a gelato (ice Cream) only to be sadly disappointed, nothing was open. To make up for this on our return to the boat we finished off our mint choc chip ice-cream!
    On Saturday we headed to the marina at Carloforte still on San Pietro and met Jess and Chris again they had taken the ferry across so a day of sightseeing, well wondering around the town and having that missed gelato. After an evening of gossiping we will be saying goodbye tomorrow and heading south to mainland Sardinia.    Read more

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    Harbour front Mahon
    Last Spanish coffeeCruise ship on the harbour front MahonMenorca as we leftAnchorage on Isola de San Pietro, sardiniaSardinia in background on first night

    Punta delle Colonne Isola di San Pietro

    May 8, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    Sardinia! we made it in just under 34hours 198 Nmiles and it started beautifully. But first just to let you know what else we’ve been up to. On Friday it rained all day the only thing constructive we did we take the boat into Mahón to fuel up and while John was doing that I did a supermarket run up the hill. Saturday was a lot more pleasant and we took the dinghy into Mahón for a stroll through the streets along with the cruise ship passengers that had just disgorged, photo 4. Here we had our last Spanish coffee, photo 3, not so sure the Italian version will be smooth enough for us, fingers crossed and a lovely meal. On Sunday we had an aborted first try for the crossing to Sardinia but although the wind had died away the sea was too rough for me so we headed back and went to Binibecca one of the Calas on the southern coast that we had visited on our way to Mahón but that had been exposed at the time, on Sunday though it was beautiful although there were a few sunbathers it was a calm quiet sunny memory of Menorca. We left Binibecca and Spain in wonderful calm conditions, the sun came out and the autopilot went on. We watched turtles as we went along saw as many as 25 over the space of 5 hours and around teatime a large pod of dolphins feeding off the bows but as the night progressed the wind grew not alarmingly but enough that come the morning it was a lot less pleasant but with sea bands Bach flower remedy and Stugeron I beat it and here we are. Photo 5 is our anchorage photo 6 is of headland with Sardinia behind us.Read more

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    Cala Macarella with caves
    Cala Covas west sideCala Porte restaurant and cafe in the prehistoric cavesPlaya Santo TomasCala Covas east sideCala Alcaufa wish we could have stayed here idylic

    Cala Taulera near Mahon Menorca

    May 3, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Yesterday we walked around the headland to Cala Macarella and had a coffee at the cafe there before visiting the previously inhabited caves. From the look of the floor the main residents now are goats, had a lovely swim around the bay on our return to the boat and saw 4rays (fish).
    We spent today cruising along the south coast of Menorca, we had hoped to anchor up in Cala Covas, said to be one of the most stunning anchorages in the Balearic Islands, but a bit to much swell. We popped into lots of other Calas on the way round, definitely worth a mention is Cala Alcaufa a little built up but still lovely however ended up here Cala Taulera near the capital which is OK as we need to do a bit of shopping, and look for some parts. For those who are interested we think we need a new gypsy wheel for anchor winch as the chain is slipping and jumping, but only sometimes. There are two other boats here, one is fine the other when we arrived appeared to be drifting onto the rocks, once anchored we could see someone apparently pushing it off so rowed over to see if we could assist. We ended up re-laying 2of the anchors, the engine and rudder are broken and owner can’t move the boat. However looking at it now it looks like anchors didn’t hold but as the owner has gone and doesn’t appear bothered we have decided we won’t be either.    Read more

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    Sunset over Mallorca
    Cala Son Saura looking eastFlowers on the walk back to boatOdd fibrous balls on beachCala Turqueta taken on footCala Turqueta

    Cala turqueta, Menorca

    May 1, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Hello all, we are as the post suggests in Menorca. We left Mallorca on Monday afternoon after walking the Port Soller sights church, viewpoint, tower and forest. The tower took a bit of finding there were very few signposts, well only one official one and that was when you were in sight of the tower itself. We waited hoping that the sea would have calmed a bit more after Sunday’s blow, it had but not as much as I would have liked, so a lumpy start back up the coast past Tuent and Colabra then yet more stunning coast line. I really would like to be able to stay and do a proper walking holiday perhaps on the way back.
    Our initial plan was to head for the South coast of Menorca and find a sheltered Cala ready for the forecast NE winds due the arrive on Tuesday. The sea calmed more as we cleared the Mallorca headland, Formenter, I think it was called, so crossing the Menorca Channel seemed to be going well but around 9pm, when we were a little over half way across the wind started from the East OK plan B a Cala on west coast head into wind OK getting rougher, then about 10:30 the wind shifted again, this was not forecast we had checked on the way across, now from the South so beam on and dark nasty. It was over of John I concentrated on not being ill as he over us northeast so we could find somewhere on the north coast, we found Cala Algaiarens dropped anchor and to bed it was 1am.
    We awake to rain! Lots of it checked forecast the NE was expected around 2pm so we showered. It had been a while since a full shower, then breakie but the swell was already building so off we went. We had hoped to be able to look at the coast that we had passed in the dark but no it was still raining and to avoid some of the roll we had to steer north west, then south west to clear the point. But the north west corner of the island was really barren and flat there were some housing developments on the headlands near the second largest town but they looked perched there.
    The southern coast is lower and gently undulating from what we have seen so far, with beautiful inlets, Calas. We originally anchored in Cala son Sakura an open bay as some in the pilot book looked a bit narrow. As I had ti get solid ground under my feet we went ashore for a walk, there was nothing near so decided the follow the GR 223 around the coast when we reached the second inlet we decided to head back by a more direct route and bring the boat around Cala Turqueta is absolutely lovely and as importantly has less swell, so here we are fed and watered.    Read more

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    Headland north of Port Soller
    Calobra looking northishCalobra looking southishTake Five in CalobraCala TuentRock formations landside of Calobra

    Cala de Calobra and Cala Tuent

    April 29, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Saturday we decided to take a short trip up the coast to 2 idyllic but fair weather anchorages, as you can see from the photos Cala Calobra is stunning and we managed to arrive before anyone else so got some great pictures. Still can’t get over how beautiful the north west coast of Mallorca is, there are some great walks and amazing cycle rides (but hilly). It looks like there might be some companies that organise cycle rides and hotels etc which might be worth another look perhaps for on our way back again. Due to the high winds expected Saturday night and through Sunday we returned to Port Soller to hide away, it is a very sheltered bay. After a noisy night we went for a walk towards Deia but only as far a chapelle camposte, just past there was a beautiful big French farmhouse style house split into units one of which sold drinks and delicious pastries with 2gluten free options. From there we walked to the Refuge de Mulate, next to the lighthouse to the west of Port Soller it was a stunning walk would definitely recommend it. Today we went to the local Torre took a bit of finding as not well signposted, but after a couple of false turns we found it! Today we are hoping for a long trip past the north of Mallorca and on to Menorca about 10hours.Read more

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    Fort near Cala Basset Mallorca
    North west coast of MallorcaPort SollerTram on its way between Port and SollerShop in SollerSoller cathedral

    Port Soller

    April 27, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    So up fairly early today as wanted to arrived at lunchtime in Porto Soller to be able to go on vintage electric tram ride to Soller town. Trip started at 9 which is good for us and sea was beautifully flat. We saw some nice but developed anchorages as we travelled Northwest towards Isla Dragonera but once we turned the corner and were travelling North Eastwards there were very few buildings and cliffs were dramatic we also found enough wind to use the foresail, with the engine obviously and reached 7.3knots. The anchorage is sheltered and not very developed very pretty and the tram ride through the orange and lemon groves was fun. Soller town has a lovely cathedral and some cute shops as well as lots of cafes.Read more

  • Cruising donkeysCruising Donkeys to GreeceCruising donkeys
    Palma Cathedral
    Park of the SeaChandelier in cathedral GoudiUnknown buildingGrand HotelTheatre

    Palma, Mallorca

    April 25, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Today we left the boat at anchor and took the coastal bus to Palma, we passed through Magaluf which was definitely close enough. Saw signs says ‘1stamp 8clubs’ that sounded like 8 too many and even though it was only 11am the stag parties were already taking hair of the dog.
    Palma, in the old town, was OK lots of old buildings and churches as well as the cathedral, photos attached. Sadly it looks like we will miss the Palma Boat Show 2018 by 2days! But if the forecast changes we might be here longer and able to go along not that we can afford anything from the looks of what was being set up. Talking about expensive apparently some well off people visit or live in Palma as we found Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Rialto Living, Lacoste and Mallorca Sotheby’s, likely there was also H&M and more McDonalds and Burger Kings per square foot than I have seen anywhere else in world so Kev Shaz and little Courtney were fine😉 We also visited the Juan March Fundacion museum of abstract art but photos to go on face book.    Read more

  • Cruising donkeysCruising Donkeys to GreeceCruising donkeys
    Cala Binirras
    North end of Isla BosqueIsla Margaritas west coast IbizaLighthouse at Punta MoscarteSanta Ponsa on MallorcaWest coast Ibiza

    Mallorca, Santa Posa

    April 23, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Hello sorry no update yesterday, Sunday, but we left our anchorage to the south west of Ibiza and headed first west along the bottom of the island. I should point out that we did part of this trip under sail alone but our best speed was only 2.5 knots, average probably just under 2. But once we pass Isla Verda we were becalmed so packed the sails and motored north. We had hoped to anchor up at least for lunch at Cala Badella but it was buoyed in the shallower water and we would have had to anchor in 39ft of water too much, so we motored on stopping just to the east of Cala Tarida where I went for a swim and John rowed around the bay it was small but water very clear. Once back at the boat I noticed rope around the prop, took about 10 mins to unwind and remove it. After checking the forecast and seeing a settled day Monday we decided to carry on up the west coast of the island through the channel between Isla Conjera and Isla Bosque with 5foot under keel then up past San Antonio port and on to Cala Binirras to anchor for the night. There was only 1other boat but loads of people on the beach and drummers and fire jugglers pretty good luckily it stopped around 10, we were concerned it would last all night! Then today well we set off at 9am continued up the coast of Ibiza and then continuing north east for 54miles and we are now in Santa Ponsa in Mallorca. John says we have travelled 359 miles since we left Almerimar last Sunday must some sort of record for us! This anchorage is a beautiful big shallow sheltered bay. Have found out I can caption the photos that will make it easier to know where they are.Read more

  • Cruising donkeysCruising Donkeys to GreeceCruising donkeys

    Ibiza Nr Cala de Port Roig

    April 21, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Yes we made it, not a crossing experience that I would choose to repeat, it was less windy and therefore choppy than during the day but during my 2 hour watch stints I had to remain outside to keep the ‘mal de mer’ 🤢 at bay by watching stars that were on our track. The autopilot was on so I was only trying to fool my stomach.😉Unfortunately said stars were a little too high in the sky so as well as being very cold I kept getting neck ache. But we arrived safely and have had a relaxing day. The morning was especially relaxing for John who, once we were anchored and had eaten went to bed, I did some reading about Ibiza, checked the grab bags prepared the washing and I am sure there was something else. I woke him to let me know I was going swimming, not sure if it’s the northern latitudes but the sea seems to be getting colder❄️, took a while to warm back up. After lunch we put the job rails back on so we can use the forward sail again, then rowed to the beach bar. Now I admit it did look a bit swanky but anyway John ordered a G&T I had a rose wine and we shared a water, the G&T cost 9.50!! Had a little wander but no where to go without transport so John rowed around the bay a bit, looked at the fisherman’s huts, photos tomorrow and will try to get better ones of the anchorage as well, just taken those and it’s 8:30 in the evening so not looking great. We are heading clockwise round the island but only little hops as current forecast means we won’t be headed to Mallorca till Friday.
    Hope everyone is well and enjoying the updates, we are so pleased to be on the move.    Read more

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