Blog update 10^th July.

We can definitely recommend the Balearics for a cruising destination. Yes, the islands are very crowded but we have always managed to get space to anchor, even if other boats do come and anchor dangerously close to us sometimes. The other night we were up watching a boat drift onto us when the wind dropped, as it does most nights, and when we shouted to the crew to warn them they just left the anchor where it was and used their bow thruster to move sideways away from us!! Luckily they left the anchorage early the next morning. Today we’ve watched a large motorboat drag right through the bay of Soller on the north coast of Mallorca, just missing several boats. The maritime police watched its progress to the beach but luckily the owner, who was ashore at the time, was contacted and he got back just in time!!

We reached Mallorca at the beginning of July and spent time in the southwest, in Puerto de Santa Ponsa and Andraitx area, sailing around and exploring that coast with son Brian who was out on holiday, having flown into Palma airport. We had a great time swimming, snorkelling, fishing (without any luck) and sampling the local cuisine and vino in very upmarket Puerto Portals. Bri’s holiday went all too quickly and we were sorry to see him off to the airport after a very rolly night at Las Illetas in Palma Bay.

The north coast of Mallorca has very dramatic scenery and we have been doing some sightseeing inland. The town of Soller is very picturesque with narrow, shady streets and magnificent old buildings. Transport is very cheap so we may take the bus across the mountains before sailing off again to the eastern side of Mallorca.