We had planned on Mahon to refuel , but the weather wasn't so good , wind on the nose , so in an effort to fool the weather gods we went for PLAN B and headed back the way we came - I said Id never do that ! So we headed back to Cuitadella for fuel, it was Thursday , the Repsol fuel berth only closes one day a week - Thursday , guess what day it was ....A Bloody Thursday


So I drained and cleaned the water separator as it was a nasty shade of Brown from all the rocking and rolling at anchor , then I set about refuelling from the jerry cans on deck, I wasn't keen on spending any more money on marina fees thank you .

And so we set off again, we left around midday and were into our 2 hour watch system bright and early, as the previous nights rolly anchorage had left both of us desperate for a decent bit of sleep.

I was on the wheel when out of the corner of my eye I saw this small bird flying flat out, flapping as fast as his little wings could carry him , just behind him was the unmistakable shape of a Kestrel .... we were at least 5 miles offshore god knows how long these two had been playing this game, but the little bird took one look at me and must have thought his luck had changed , it went between my head and the mizzen mast which was a gap of about 3 feet at a speed well in excess of mach 1.

The kestrels flying skills were put to the test as it slammed on the brakes, clearly realising that to go between this gap at his size was beyond even the skills of the mighty Red Arrows, he pulled up and went a safe distance above the yacht circling.

The little fella sat on the guard wire and simply sniggered at the mighty Kestrel , Im sure it raised a wing and flipped him the BIRD (A one finger salute) he sat sun bathing and waited to regain his breath before heading back towards land .... one lucky little flocker !