Cruising to Greece and back.

Judy, Peter and Woody sail Tobin Bronze in the Balaeric Islands, Sept 2011

Judy and I arrived back in Cartagena on Monday 29 August to find the boat in good condition and only needing provisioning before being ready to go. The supermarket was a fair walk away; so a few trips were required. Cheap beer is heavier than expensive beer because you invariabily buy more of it! We also took delivery of a very efficient esky ("ice-box" to you non-Aussies) which Bob and Tricia had generously donated to Tobin Bronze's equipment. In the hot weather to come, it was a God-send.

Woody arrived by train from Madrid after flying in from New Zealand on Thursday and relieved me of Command. I was regelated to Deckie for the rest of the trip.

On Friday 02 Sept, it rained in Cartagena for the first time (so the locals said) in six months. I can believe it as the countryside was very dusty and dry. The Italian cruise liner 'Aida' sailed from the port just after the storm had passed over. At 38,531 tons, she is only a small one.


First rain for 6 months.
Click here for an enlarged image in Photo Album To Ibiza and Mallorca.

The next leg of our voyage was to cross over from the Spanish mailand to Formenterra, the most southerly of the Balearic Islands, which was about 140 miles away. The forecast was good for a few days even though the odd thunderstorm was predicted for Ibiza.

We left the marina in Cartagena at 10:00hrs on Saturday 03 Sept in hot sunny conditions and no wind. By 13:15hrs, we were making our departure of the mainland with 114 nautical miles to go on a course of 056° Magnetic. At this time, the wind started to fill in from the south and developed into a fine sailing breeze. It increased to 12 to 16 kts apparent from astern and we were able to run all night with just the mainsail up. It was a great sail and we were bombing along at over 7 knots at times. The waves were 2 to 3 metres high from astern and this increased the noise and sense of speed. There was a nearly full moon and way ahead we could see a thunderstorm over Ibiza. It really was a cracking sail.

By 09:00hrs next morning, we were anchored in the bay south east of Pta Pedreras on Formenterra. We had sailed 141nM in 22.5hrs at an average speed of 6.27 knots - one of Tobin Bronze's fastest trips ever.

Later on in the afternoon, we motor sailed down the east coast of Formenterra to Cala Pujols and anchored in the very sheltered bay. Ashore it is very touristy but it was very peaceful in the anchorage.


Judy ashoe on Formenterra.
Click here for an enlarged image in Photo Album To Ibiza and Mallorca.


Enjoying the sun and calm sea.
Click here for an enlarged image in Photo Album To Ibiza and Mallorca.

Over the next four days we cruised along the west coast of Ibiza, across the Canal de Mallorca and ended up in the marina in San Antonio de la Playa which was very close to Palma airport. We visited Palma by taxi to have a wander around. Unfortunately due to time constraints, we had nowhere near long enough but we did enjoy going into the majestic cathedral.


Palma Cathedral.
Click here for an enlarged image in Photo Album To Ibiza and Mallorca.

Judy jumped ship on Friday 09 Sept and flew back to London. She and Sofie were then going to Boston to see Ben and to spend a few days in New York. Woody and I made our merry way anti-clockwise around Mallorca up to the north east corner before crossing to Menorca on Sunday 11 Sept. We approached Mahon in the late afternoon before anchoring with all the other cruising boats in Cala Taulera for the night.


Cala Taulera anchorage near Mahon, Menorca.
Click here for an enlarged image in Photo Album To Ibiza and Mallorca.

Next morning we moved the couple of miles into Mahon itself and tied up bow-to in the Marina Estrell where we paid an eye-watering 57.50Euros for one night. And that was one of the cheaper marinas. However it was in a great location with easy access to the town and a good place to meet Chris Stock who was joining us next day.


"We only had a couple of beers."
Click here for an enlarged image in Photo Album To Ibiza and Mallorca.

On Tues, Chris arrived around 10:15hrs. After topping up with water, we moved back to the anchorage at Cala Taulera in preparation for sailing to Sardinia the next day.

It was a shame that we did not have longer to fully explore the Balearics. We rushed past so many places where in reality a boat could spend the whole summer just cruising in these lovely islands. Perhaps on the way back from Greece with Tobin Bronze we will be able to spend longer in the area.


"Cartagena to Menorca to Sardinia."
Click here for an enlarged image in Photo Album To Ibiza and Mallorca.