By
Wendy
Catlin
The
format for this journal entry is going to be a bit different.
The hard drive on my computer has broken.
This means that I lost all the format for the website as well as all my
photos. However, I do not want this
journal to fall too far behind so I will bring it up to date.
My computer is being fixed and I will be able to reload all my programs
to it...but from now on I am going to transfer my photos to a CD!
The
winter months seemed to pass very quickly for us....
We
departed SARDINIA on 26 September 2001, leaving in the early evening. We had a
temporary north westerly wind, but motored most of the way.
As we approached MENORCA the most eastern island of the BALEARIC ISLANDS,
we were hit with a strong wind on the nose but soon found ourselves safely and
comfortably anchored in the BAY OF FORNELLS in the early morning of 28
September.
It
was not long before we heard a knock on the hull...it was our good friends
Jeffery and Janine who we met in Italy! We
had a good chin wag talking about our adventures since we last saw eachother.
Rob
and I enjoyed this large, scenic calm bay.
We explored the village, took walks along the cliffs enjoying the
scenery. At the top of the steep
cliffs overlooking the sea, we came across several gun implacements left over
from the Spanish civil war.
After
a few days we sailed to ADDYA HARBOUR which is mainly a housing development
area. But the long, narrow, very
hidden bay was quite lovely. Here
we met two other yachts from Australia!! Three of us in one spot!
Very unusual. There were
several other yachts anchored as well, a very fun group of people.
What else,? Of course we had a BBQ on the beach!
We also met Helen and Graham, who we
saw much of throughout the winter.
Two
days later, we sailed to Isla Colon
and Cala Tamarells. Rob went
windsurfing in almost perfect conditions. We also took a walk up wind sculpted
rocks to an old tower. Had a nice
swim before returning the the boat.
We
then sailed to the capital city of MAHON. This
lovely old city is located up a long, narrow deep water inlet.
As
we entered the inlet, old forts lined the way then farther up the well protected
city came into view.
We
found a mooring just across from the city.
During our time here we walked the narrow streets of the old city many of
which were decorated for a fiesta. We
took a country bike ride to an estuary for birdwatching and a bus ride to
Fornells to see the island country side.
Menorca
is not heavily populated. The island has lots of pine trees and some small
mountains, but manily rolling hills. The
main product here is cheese, so there are many dairy farms.The north of the
island is steep cliffs into the sea, whereas the south is a bit more pasotral.
Menorca
prides itself on its natural state. The
communities are very environmentally aware. The locals know that the nature of
the island will bring tourists...so this is one place that is taking care of
itself.
We
left the city and went to anchor near the entrance to the inlet.
After a quiet night at anchor, we went around the south of the town of
Ciudadela. This small port was very
crowded. There was a huge swell
coming in and we could not find a comfortable place to tie up. So we decided to
continue on overnight to sail to MALLORCA.
MALLORCA
We
anchored in Fomentera Bay for one night, then moved into the Bay of Puerto de
Pollensa. This is a lovely bay with
steep high mountains to the north, a large bay to the south and the town to the
west. It is a popular area for
British tourists. The shore is lined with pretty beaches, many hotels and
restaurants. There is a good town and community here as well...and a great
market for fresh fruits and vegies every Wednesday morning!
There
were a few other boats moored here as well, one of which were our friends
Richard and Mary of Moon Cloud.
We
bought a car...an old Renault in good condition.
It was a deal we could not refuse and we wanted a car to explore inland
Spain.
Our
friend Ruth came from the States to spend some time with us.
The weather was perfect and we took a trip along the northern coast of
the island. Cape Formentera was
spectacular with high steep cliffs coming straight down into the sea.
We anchored along the coast for lunch and for Ruth to have a swim.
We admired magnificent coastal villas as we cruised on
to Sollier and Deia and then back to Pollensa.
It was a great three/four day sail.
After
Ruth departed, Rob and I were planning on leaving for Ibiza and the mainland.
But the weather report was not good and very strange.
The predictions were for 75 – 85 knot winds(about 100 mph)..what!!!!!
We decided to go into the marina as we were not sure of the holding of
the mooring in that strength of wind. It
was a good decision...
A
few days later the wind hit and it hit hard...up to 170 knots per hour...we are
talking hurricane strenth here. Many
of the other boats did not come into the marina and broke moorings.
Two made it into the marina okay but not without drama, two were beached
and destroyed and three made it okay but went through hell the whole time of the
storm. It lasted three days.
Mooring
lines chafe in this kind of weather...Rob had chained us to the port mooring
chain so we would not come loose. But
the boats next to us in the marina all broke loose and were leaning on us.
We were up all night continuing on to
the next day in the pouring rain and wind trying to protect Sea Fever from
extensive damage from the monster boat leaning on us.
There
was no rest, there was little we could do...the wind was relentless, totally
relentless, never letting up, even when the daylight came it was the same.
We
did sustain damage, but nothing compared to many other people.
So many yachts were lost. The
beautiful beaches were covered with sea weed, the hotel windows were blown out,
the beach was now on the road and hundreds of trees blown over.
After
the storm, all of us yachties had become good friends.
We had been in touch with each other during the storm on the VHF radio,
giving support and information.
As
Christmas was approaching, I noticed that many of the (English) women were
baking Christmas Cakes. Well, I
decided I had to make one too. I
collected recipes, got advice and made my first fruit cake!
Rob was like an expectant father while it was baking. The cake turned out
to be quite delicious. ( I know you Americans will not be impressed.)
We
had Christmas Dinner on board Sea Fever for eight people which was really lovely
and fun. New Years came and went.
We had been trying to get Sea Fever fixed, but everyone was too busy and
could not take us till Spring! No
thanks...So we departed Pollensa after four months
(we planned two weeks).
We
sailed around the north side of the island
to PALMA, the capital city of Mallorca.
We settled into a marina near the town center.
We are hoping to repair the boat as all the resources we need are here.
Rob
got estimates and they fit within the budget from our insurance settlement, so
arrangements were made for the repairs.
PALMA
is a really wonderful small city. I
really enjoyed it there. We were
very close to everything and I could ride my bike to the market, the city center
or through the narrow streets of the old town.
We
enjoyed cultural events, some very exciting local fiestas with lots of music,
food and fireworks.
Our
friend Roger came to visit us for a few days and we had a good time sight seeing
with him. He and Rob did some
extensive walks in the forest hills and high mountains (Mallorca has great
trails for walking). The three of
us went out for a day sail and practiced Man OverBoard recovery under sail.
It was really good.
To
make a long story short...Sea Fever got repaired very nicely as well as other
jobs which were needed.
When
everything was ready...we sailed to mainland Spain on16 March 2002.
We are headed for Valencia to see the famous Fiesta de las Fallas.
It
is now Spring, the Winter went by so quickly!!!!!
I
will write about our trip to Mainland Spain soon.........I finish this part of
my journal on13 April 2002.