It’s just wonderful what a bit of retail therapy, an even keel, and some time out chillin, will do.

We both felt pretty jaded after the seemingly endless trip over here, but only 24 hours later, feel totally recovered. 

After getting in and anchoring securely, we were too tired to even consider a run ashore.  A light meal plus the obligatory vino only added to the need for sleep.  I popped down at 19.30 just to rest my head - and did not awake until sun-up the following day.

We spent that first full day in Mahon wandering the streets.  Nice place.  It’s Majorcan name is Mao (Mahon is Spanish) and I expected to find it full of Belgium pilgrims – it being the place where mayonnaise originated and all that.  Not one in sight.

It has the feel of a small provincial town, although it is the capital of the island.  Like so many places in the region, it’s had it’s fair share of conquerors, and that’s reflected in many of its buildings.    

We shopped. Sue found some cut-offs and a new top, I found yet another white T shirt with some fancy designer name inside that had a nice neckline. 

Returned to the boat late arvo.  Just in time to exchange a wave with the port police as they passed us in the so called ‘no anchoring area’. 

Felt good to know we don’t need to worry about being where we are – and it seems the message somehow got out to other yotties – for by early evening like moths to a lamp – we had another half dozen boats all parked up around us.

I think it’s the herd instinct.  If one can do it, others can also.  Had this to die for schooner park up 100 yards back.  It’s possibly my dream yacht – classy – good lines – and as a schooner, a rare rig to sail under.

Even a sleek  70 foot Sunseeker power boat, just arrived from France and unable to secure a berth jetty side, came past and asked if it was OK to drop anchor alongside us.  Not an issue.  Skipper William was obviously uncomfortable hanging to an anchor, and spent most of the evening walking his deck and looking worried.  Stopping by to assure him he was OK, we went on to explain they’d had a rough journey because of the weather.

Looking up at his high sides, deep comfortable fully protected seating, I glanced at Sue and believe we both thought - ‘and you’re telling us?’

Spent late arvo sorting the few things damaged from the trip over.  Sewing mostly.  Put a tear in the bimini by not folding it back carefully enough pre-gale, and lost a zipper also.  Also tore favourite Fatface shorts.  Blisters.

Sewing on our boat is down to me.  Sue’s not the top in that division.  Mrs Stapler is how the boys at Scouts knew her years back, when she was told off by Arkayla for using one to affix our boys credit badges.  It was not really the rust issue that raised his concerns, but when the badges all floated off in the wash, and Sue religiously stapled them back on, she often got the wrong badge on the wrong shirt. 

I was always sure Robert did earn his woodcraft credit, but seems Alex was hard done by.

Burbled ashore this evening but not to Mahon town, simply the jetty over the south side of the harbour.  Had a great meal in a small restaurant at water level.  Deep fried camembert with blackberry sauce as an entree, moules with fries for me, Galithian prawns (in Ozzie we’d call them scampi) for Sue.  All washed down with a nice Rjoca.  Sure beats bananas or pot noodles. No caravan talk at all.

But after staring at the largish villas set alongside this harbour – most with steps down to own jetties where owners boats are moored, Sue’s now suggesting one of those, plus a big RIB and a classic sailing day boat to idle away the days, might go on the wish list? 

One just can’t win.

We’re both enjoying this short period of slow pace in Mahon, and having been accepted by the wavy port police, stayed another day. 

Yesterday hired a car and drove across to the west and north ends of Mahon to see Cuitadella and Fornells respectively.  Cuitadella has a long narrow cala that forms its harbour – no room for big ferries there.  The buildings there a typically Spanish as opposed to the mixture seen in Mahon – lovely.

Fornells is the largest cala on Menorca, but despite that pretty crowded.  Seems limited anchorage there but lots of moorings one can pay for.  Seems to be the small dinghy yachting centre around here – the water was packed with sailing craft rocking along.  Real holiday atmosphere to the place – no wonder King Carlos rates it as his favourite holiday spot.

The interior of Menorca, as seen from the roadway, is pretty.  Lots of dry stone walls divide green paddocks and red clay fields.  It’s not as barren or mountainous as the other Baleric islands, and has lots of attractive sandy beaches.  

We’ve a problem with our clutch so have located a local gearbox spe******t based on Mallorca.  Plan is to contact him today – and dependent on when he can give us time – and where he can do that – may well sail onward to Alcudia on Mallorca today.

Cheers

JOHN