Italy To Spain

A month in Menorca and Mallorca

Click here for a map of the journey.

As we neared Menorca in the early hours of August 3 with the wind picking up from the north and rough seas, we decided to go into Puerto de Mao(Mahon) even though it was pitch dark. The natural harbour is huge and the channels well-lit and with Cass arriving later the same day we went as near to the main town as we could, dropped the anchor, and took to our bed for a few hours, glad to be in sheltered waters. Mid-morning we hailed the port authorities to ask about a berth: there were none available and moreover they arrived in their rib and told us we had to move as it was a prohibited anchorage.(ten days later we were to come past the same place and find it full of anchored yachts!) But for the time being we had to move - or try to, for when the anchor appeared it was fouled on heavy ropes. Of course Jim skilfully freed us from these, climbing like a monkey off the bow! We found a pleasant spot a little further from the town and Cass went into a hotel for the night. Next day, after we badgered the port authorities again, they gave us a berth at a free-floating pontoon called Isla Clementina and we used the dinghy from there the short distance to the town to pick up Cass. The next five days were spent in anchorages on the NE side of the island. From these we were able to go swimming and take various walks through the countryside. We were the last to leave one sandy beach and were amused to watch a stoat emerge to rifle through the litter; on the way back to the boat we startled many partridges from the undergrowth. Only too soon we were back in Mao harbour trying to anchor; this time it took us six attempts (twice the anchor brought up plastic rubbish, then a log) before Jim decided to put a second anchor on the chain: at the seventh attempt we were firmly held in the fine mud. Our final location in Mao was on a buoy near to the town, from where we were able to watch the amazing variety of vessels passing by, a testament to the continuing importance of this port. We also made several excursions into town to explore, including one on Rosie's birthday for daughter-assisted shopping and to sample the local cuisine. After Cass's departure we visited the Club Maritimo to get our washing done: we misheard the price and on collection were staggered to be told it was 5 euros per kilo. This was the most expensive launderette we had ever encountered in our 7 years cruising! Next day we filled our water tanks at the water pontoon and headed for an anchorage by Isla del Aire on the SE corner of Menorca. When we arrived we were one of four yachts: boats of all sorts were coming and going all day with a maximum at one time of forty-four - this was definitely peak season! We swam over to the island and took a walk to the lighthouse, marvelling at the large number of black lizards which are unique to the island.

Our passage to Mallorca was to be one of the few occasions when we had the right wind for sailing - over 6 hours without using the engine, this had to be a record for the Mediterranean! We came into Cala Guya on the NE corner of the island, a beautiful bay with clear water and golden sand, with forested mountains around - a contrast to the flatness of Menorca. And so to Porto Colom, where we spent a few very enjoyable days meeting up again with Henry on "Chyka" (before saying a fond farewell as he headed west towards Gibraltar) and also the previous owners of "Avalon", Alan and Linda Walker, who came for a visit. A little further west Playa des Carbo provided a secure anchorage during strong winds over the next couple of days and we had some lovely swimming there as well as a walk along the long beach. Friday August 24 dawned, we unwound the anchor from a few rocks, and we were on the way to Santa Ponsa where we had boarded "Avalon" June 1 2000. There was a brisk NE wind, and "Avalon" surely knew she was on the home straight as we came into the bay with 2 reefs in the main, sailing at over 7knots. And so we anchored at almost the same spot we had anchored over 7 years previously with Barnaby and friend Tom Hammond as crew. Our circumnavigation was complete. We were pleased to meet up again with Alan and Linda, this time at their home and hear about "Avalon"s early years. We had a lovely meal, were given a bag of books, and particularly appreciated their offer of using their washing-machine! The next week gave us time to reflect on how the 7 years 2 months 22 days had been spent, the people we had met, the places we had visited, the experiences enjoyed (or not). Were we glad we had done it? Of course! Would we do it again? No, not at this stage of our lives, we think we have done it just in time! What next? Well, you'll just have to wait and see!