2nd August 2005 – Lazing it still in Cala Saona - and onto Ibiza Town
Posted at 4:24 AM, Tuesday, August 2, 2005
Me, I sleep like a log. But Sue woke me to check things out at 0300 and I’ve decided to stay up for a while. When we went down below there was an electrical storm running across the horizon behind us whilst we sat on a tranquil sea. It was moving in a NE direction – coming from the SW – and the forcasted wind direction was from the SE. It was all very spectacular with flashing clouds all over the distant horizon. It looked even nicer as the storm moved over the mountains on
Anyway – when woken – I expected to learn we had swung round to the forecasted SE wind – but not so. It had simply piped up from the NNW and we, along with all others in the bay, were beginning to rock and roll as it freshened in gusts. Nothing to worry about from our own ground tackle – we knew that was well buried as we viewed it earlier when swimming – but I stayed up just in case others were not so well set and might possibly drift back onto us – and anyway - I do love a bit of seafaring drama.
But as I said - no worries - we are not going anywhere unless we choose to pull up the anchor ourselves.
After an initial burst of activity on all other boats as each woke up to the new motion – a few pulled out presumably as they were not holding or just not comfortable. The rest flashed lights around – lots directed at us as we are closest to the cliffs - which are now only 50 metres behind us.
It made me think this could have all been an adventure - if we had not swum back to the boat as exactly the right time early yestrday morning. As I got closer to our boat I saw two young German chappies down on the bottom tugging on something bright and shiny in the sand.
It only took a nanosecond or two for me to realise it was my anchor - and they appeared to be trying to remove it from the sand!
Despite the fact it should have taken 5 Swartzeneggers to lift it out - I dived down and indicated (a non-polite indication at that 8 metres depth) that they should kindly desist.
On surfacing - and releasing my grips - they explained they could not see any attached chain - or given any thought to the fact a boat may well have been attached to another end! Clearly slow learners and non boaters. Apologies all accepted, and off they jolly well went - rubbing their necks to get rid of the finger marks.
Spent the rest of the day on the road. Decided to join the biker mob, hired some wheels, and threw me bag on the back. Tries to rustle up some balck leathers - no go.
But it was small wheels.
A 50cc automatic scooter - Eu30 for the day.
I thought there was something wrong with it to start with, for each time I took a corner flat out at 60kph, it began to make a funny noise. I tilted my head and picked up this ‘sloooo dooon’ sound repeating itself and getting louder each time. Sue finally slapped the back of my helmet really hard to ensure the message got across.
Seems the cord to hold on my sun glasses was giving her a good thrashing. Nice to know something's on my side.
Drove the length and breadth of Formentera which saw my wobbly style turn into something almost graceful. In fact, we used half a tank as this place is so huge. Cost me Eu2.99 to refill it.
Found a restaurant with stunning views on the main road south and then east to the lighthouse at Pta Single Mal. Can’t recall its name but the south eastern headland is much higher than the lowland middle and northern bits. If you too hire a moped – you’ll pass it probably doing all of 10 kph (it's a v.steep hill) - look on your right as you climb the snaking windy road.
From the terrace one can see the whole island laid out below. I supported the Formanteran cuisine and had a local delicacy - fried egg and chips. Bueno.
Stopped of at Puerto Savina and main town of
But it is no wonder so many Spanish love this place it has a sort of hippy feel - but with some class. Those who may know
Would love to come back for longer sometime and really relaaaaaaaaaax.
Right.
The breeze has now died down, and the bay is again asleep. Guess I’ll go join them.
LATE UPDATE.
Slept in until 1100 - woke to overcast sky and F5 weather from the NE. Not bouncing around too much but boring - so we up-anchored and set off for Ibiza Town some 15 miles NE though the relatively narrow channels that devide Ibiza, Ahorcados, Espalmador and Formetera islands. Got a bit bucky with guts to 40 knots - just had headsail up and charged to windward fine. Who said a fractional rig won't go on just a headsail?
Made Ibiza Town by 1400. Lots of others here also at anchor inside the main harbour wall. There is possibly buckleys chance of getting a proper berth - plus it costs EU90+ if we did anyway - and parking Swagman side on in 30+ knot breeze is not nice - so that kind of settled where we'd spend the night.
Am located about 70 metres from the entry to Marina Botafoch - in fact their 'no anchoring' buoy is either alongside - or just behind us dependent on wind direction. Its about 7 metres deep - thick weed over sand - anchors set in fine - and God bless Mr Delta.
Cheers
JOHN