After the Burt's left us on Saturday, Marco, Phil and I left San Remo last Tuesday and hoisted the French flag on our way to Antibes, France, where David and Catherine Meloy and Duncan finally joined us. We spent 3 lovely days in Antibes, also exploring St. Tropez by car, then prepared for the 30 hr transit to the Balearic Islands, first Menorca then Mallorca. A tough decision, as we had mixed readings on the direction and timing of a new system from the Mistral wind that sweeps from the Gulf of Lyon down through the entire region we needed to pass in order to reach Menorca. Friday morning Marco got an early update that we could get ahead of the system if we left right away, and so we did, leaving mid morning Friday and reaching Menorca by 7:00 pm Saturday. All went smoothly - no interference at all from the Mistral. The evening skies were filled with stars through the night, so each watch team enjoyed a bit of the starry delight. Duncan did his first watch in good form - his college freshman year of all-nighter studying prepared him well!

Menorca is beautiful, quiet and open; we're in a beautiful harbor of very deep clear water, enjoying some well deserved sun. The news is for 20 kts across our beam tomorrow for our 50 mile trip to Mallorca, so we are hoping to enjoy a full day of sailing. Ready to move on - next, Palma de Mallorca.
Buenas noches!