GHOST

So after writing "Palma Sucks" we explored the town on our bikes, which was actually really good. There were lots of cycle paths and we cycled around the cathedral - for which Gaudi designed the frontage and the interior - and the moor fort which is now a museum of modern art. We finished the evening with a couple of beers on top of the walls of the fort overlooking the town, then hurried back to cook up some dinner (turkey satay - yum!). Despite being hit with a bill for 55Eur lighthouse tax (?) and a generally expensive marina bill, at least now we have something positive now to say about Palma!

I think I have now cooked more in the galley on GHOST than I've had time to do in the last year at Dupont Road. I have to admit there is definitely some appeal to the "simple life"! On the whole though it feels like it's been quite hard work, as we've hurried to get across the med to give ourselves lots of time on the way back when we have more visitors, hurried to get various repairs on the boat and generally rushed around. Also we've found it quite a struggle to adjust to not earning income as well as to not having a more "normal" way of life. Looking back we realise how wonderful our time was in London with all our friends and my family nearby and lots of things to do. We have however recently heard that our friends Jo (+bump) & Dunc have booked to come and visit us in Malta which has really lifted our spirits. Anyway I'll stop whingeing now!

After Palma we left for the overnight crossing to Sardinia - however we came up against 25 knots on the nose and rough sea state again so pulled into an anchorage for the night at Puerto de Cala Llonga, on the west coast of Mallorca. The "cala" was very full with boats all tied up to mooring buoys. We found one buoy free, albeit a bit close to some rocks and quickly moored up in a particularly efficient manoeuvre. After we'd tied up I walked up to Brad at the buoy and we noticed a note on it saying "8m maximum". So given we were 14m we were now very worried, and the sun had set 20 minutes ago so we didn't fancy sailing elsewhere. In addition the cala was very exposed to the SE swell and we realised we were in for a rough night.

After about 3 hours sleep (our worst night on a boat ever) we decided to get up early and head to Sardinia. By now the wind from yesterday had completely disappeared and we motor sailed the whole way. We were both pretty tired from no sleep the night before so stuck to 2 hour shifts, but given it was so calm kept awake by watching Lost on the laptop up on deck!