15th - 17th August 2005 - Ibiza and Overnight to Mallorca
Posted at 12:40 PM, Wednesday, August 17, 2005
We really enjoyed taking the guys out for a meal in Ibiza town. No-one had visited before (as an adult) so think they were all pleasantly surprised.......
Had a super meal up inside Ibiza Castle - would highly recommned La Torreta on the Plaza Dal Vila - tel 971 300 411 for a booking. They do fine mediterranean fare - and it's not tooooo expensive either. Restaurant does not open until after 2000 hours - best book if you want a table outside under the stars.
Rolled back down the town via backstreets packed with erotic shops and bars - Chris was particularly impressed! Sue Dave and self headed back to the boat at 0200 - we are the oldies - whilst Rob, Louise, Chris and Clair apparently stumbled back at 0600. Not clubbing - just bars.
The next morning Swagman was a little bit quiet - but when all finally arose midday we agreed to do a small food shop, replenish gin stocks, find a bay close by for the afternoon, and then maybe sail overnight up to Mallorca.
We chose an anchorage named Ensa de la Canal which is almost due south west of Ibiza harbour. The wind was F3 from the E - NE so the penisular leading down south to Pta Portas and the small islands strung twix Ibiza and Formentera would give us adequate protection. Bit of a swim, trip to bar ashore, Chris and Louise hired a beach catermaran to show us all how to fly a hull - and by 2000 hours we were eating pasta in the cockpit - and planning our night trip northward.
Not much to really plan for. Head south east for 3 miles to clear the reefs / islands then turn north east on the one starboard tack for Mallorca. Distance 70 miles - possibly 11+ hours at an average of 6.5 knots.
Was a good sail - most of it beating into a F3 - occassionally cracking sheets slightly if we got any more eastings. Only had to use the motor for a few periods when the winds went light and speed dropped below 6 knots. By 0300 it came in at F5 so to maintain level beds for the guys below - was able to show Rob how easy it is to reef this boat.
Well - would have been easy had we chosen the right lines.........
Enough to say we now keep a torch to hand at all times........
Arrived off Cala Camp de Mar as light broke through - having clocked four passenger liners passing in front of us. They seemed to be stacking up like aircraft to presumably land in Palma harbour at breakfast time.
Found a poor flying fish who did not have his eyes open last night. He was sunbathing on our starboard deck, was not 100 rigid so not sure if alive or dead. Flipped him back and lets hope he survived.
Forecast for today was E - N/E so this should be a good spot to swim and chill as our last week aboard begins to wind down.
Sods law has now as I type this, seen the wind begin to swing south....now why could we not have had that last night for a bolting spinnaker run?
It's not strong so no worries remaining where we are for the rest of the day.
We plan to go around the corner to party in Andraitz tonight, and head on to Palma tomorrow for Swagmans final winter berth.
Had not really thought about it before - but find myself actually looking forward to getting back to the grindstone in the UK - think we fly either Sunday or Monday. Either way - this time next week will be back at my desk and loving it.
Strange, eh?
JOHN