Monday 27 May 2019
Having risked all yesterday, using someone else's boat to go ashore, we repeated the trick this morning. Laurence and I walked up to the supermarket, leaving Tricia working on the boat preparations.
As we left Porto Cristo there was a nice breeze and for several hours we had a great sail. We were tacking into the wind but still making good progress. The weather was warmer than it has been for the last few days, and is gradually returning to what we expect from the Med at this time of year.
Over lunch time the wind died away, and although we were still moving, it was sufficiently slow that it would have resulted in a very long day. So the engine went on and over the next few hours, we alternated between sailing and motor sailing.
We were making our way to the north of the island. The scenery here seems very different to the south. The cliffs are higher and with more features. The towns are more remote and there are hills away into the distance. The south of the island had more uniform height cliffs, bigger, more developed towns and only a few inland hills. This feels like a very different place.
Our afternoon was enlivened by a Spanish Naval vessel. Both the AIS and, when we were able to see them, his day-shape signals indicated that he was a "vessel restricted in his ability to manoeuvre". Despite this, the AIS also showed that he was heading for Mahon and going at about 10 knots. The most alarming part was that every time we thought we were going to be clear in front of him, he altered course towards us, giving every indication that he was intent on intercepting us. His course seemed very erratic. We were not aware of having done anything wrong, so kept going. Eventually, we managed to pass in front of him, not too close, and he went on his way. We'll never know if it was a game, a trainee helmsman, or something else.
Finally we rounded a rocky headland and headed towards Port de Bonaire. We have anchored outside the marina, and are hoping that the wind will drop and change direction as the forecast predicted. It is a beautiful bay, with an interesting mix of traditional and ultramodern houses.
As we left Porto Cristo there was a nice breeze and for several hours we had a great sail. We were tacking into the wind but still making good progress. The weather was warmer than it has been for the last few days, and is gradually returning to what we expect from the Med at this time of year.
Over lunch time the wind died away, and although we were still moving, it was sufficiently slow that it would have resulted in a very long day. So the engine went on and over the next few hours, we alternated between sailing and motor sailing.
We were making our way to the north of the island. The scenery here seems very different to the south. The cliffs are higher and with more features. The towns are more remote and there are hills away into the distance. The south of the island had more uniform height cliffs, bigger, more developed towns and only a few inland hills. This feels like a very different place.
Our afternoon was enlivened by a Spanish Naval vessel. Both the AIS and, when we were able to see them, his day-shape signals indicated that he was a "vessel restricted in his ability to manoeuvre". Despite this, the AIS also showed that he was heading for Mahon and going at about 10 knots. The most alarming part was that every time we thought we were going to be clear in front of him, he altered course towards us, giving every indication that he was intent on intercepting us. His course seemed very erratic. We were not aware of having done anything wrong, so kept going. Eventually, we managed to pass in front of him, not too close, and he went on his way. We'll never know if it was a game, a trainee helmsman, or something else.
Finally we rounded a rocky headland and headed towards Port de Bonaire. We have anchored outside the marina, and are hoping that the wind will drop and change direction as the forecast predicted. It is a beautiful bay, with an interesting mix of traditional and ultramodern houses.
Distance covered today
|
40
|
nautical miles
|
Trip distance covered
|
664
|
nautical miles
|
Distance covered 2019
|
664
|
nautical miles
|
Steve (and Tricia)
|
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