We awoke to glassy water and peaceful surroundings. After the usual muesli, yoghurt and fruit breakfast, we all snorkelled along the rocky shoreline, taking in the varieties of mostly small fish and the reedy caverns they dwell in. By the time we were ready to return to Trilogy, the day trippers were arriving and two very large catamarans stacked with sightseers roared into the bay from opposite directions. We quickly formed a huddle and hoped that we would not be run down in the water. Being low in the water is a definite hazard around pleasure craft!
It was time to test the boys running repairs! They had waited for the silicone glue to dry overnight before turning on the engine. Yeah, the impeller replacement was a success and the engine once more purred! The other test was whether there was a good amount of water exiting the exhaust outlet and bingo!, that was looking a lot better also. So, now we could raise all 40 metres of anchor chain using the electric motor and headed out of Cala Fermentor and crossed the Bahia de Alcudia in a south-easterly direction. The wind was favourable for a beam reach and with the engine silenced, we glided through the sea at a steady 7 knots on 14 knots of breeze. Sue had her first turn at helming Trilogy and slipped easily into sensing the wind shifts and guiding Trilogy on course, so much so that the skipper checked she hadn't switched back to auto-helm!
With the usual time constraints we experience in our cruising time-frame, we passed by many bays and pretty places in order to see and experience what we hoped were the best and most scenic. The steep rocky cliffs gave way to much a lower profile landscape as we rounded Cabo Farrutx, still with lighthouses visible on the promontories and ancient watch towers at regular intervals. With an ever watchful eye on Predict Wind, which certainly does not always get the predictions accurate, it is quite tricky to choose a night's anchorage until we test the conditions on arrival. Today was no exception, as the wind for a beam reach was not predicted. Around 15:00 we anchored in a Cala Mesquida about 3 NM from our way point, to prepare a simple lunch and test the bay's suitability for overnight. Unfortunately there was still water sloshing in the bilges from a different source and the need for professional assistance at a marina was now confirmed. We slipped into siesta mode after eating and around 17:30, decided to move on. The bay had a beach filled with holiday makers and new looking hotels lining the northern aspect. There was something quite jarring about this scene......there was nothing beautiful about the beach or the hotel development but the water was the most exquisitely beautiful clear aqua colour, reminiscent of Caribbean waters. Why does man get it so wrong....there is no excuse!
Rounding Cabo Delgado Freu and passing Point Agulla, Cala Guya looked more inviting for a night's anchorage, still with some swell running but offering pretty good protection from the promised shifts of wind. Peter and John opted to swim ashore, while Garth, Sue and Ros hopped in the tender to explore the restaurant options for dinner later on. Garth got the tender on the plane and the girls hung on, exhilarated by the bounce and speed across the swell. We entered a rocky cove that looked to have potential for stepping ashore from the tender, but it was filled with young people swimming and generally sitting around, listening to loud throbbing music. A dive boat occupied the centre of the small cove, so we decided this was not ideal at all and headed back out across the wave surge and hidden rocks. We rode the swell into shore and beached the tender away from the swimmers. By now it was 19:00 and the long beach was still full of people relaxing and swimming, with several beach shacks set up to sell all manner of alcoholic drinks. Peter and John joined us with GNTs in hand and then we all headed for a cafe to down some Sangrias as the sun set. The crowd slowly dissipated and before the light completely faded, we headed back to Trilogy to settle for the night.
The swell continued to rock and roll Trilogy part way through the night but by morning the sea was glassy smooth and the colour magical. We all enjoyed a long swim, some going all the way to shore for a walk as well. Breakfast over, we were on our way once more, motoring sans sail as the wind was negligible. We discussed that the sea has so many moods and that it was only a few days ago we had experienced such a different scene. The coastal areas were more populated than previously noted, with long stretches of urban development and some of the houses looking rather palatial. After 3 hours of pleasant motoring, we entered the Cap de Estoy river, which opens into a long and well-sheltered inlet.
Porto Cristo is the name of the township nestled on the first bend in the river which had instant appeal with a yellow sandy beach, beautiful yachts and houses aloft on the cliffs, and town centre right at the marina. The days are getting very hot and once we lost the sea breeze, we really felt the sweat pouring out. There are only three visitor berths at the Club Nautica Marina and we weren't lucky enough today, but opposite on the public wharf, we were given a berth, to our great relief. Once tied up and the usual flurry of marina tasks completed, we ate a late lunch in the cool of a dockside cafe. We're quite accustomed to going about our necessary tasks when we come into port, so off we went to do the laundry, shopping, Internet connectivity inquiries and cleaning of Trilogy. Just on that note, Trilogy becomes very dirty, very quickly in the Med and it takes daily commitment to keeping her looking her best. This is a labour of love by all on board as Trilogy has become a collective pride and joy.
To finish the day, we dined at Siroco Restaurant, which had a elevated position along from the marina. We enjoyed the balmy evening once the sun had set and relaxed together in this idyllic setting.