On Tuesday we had a good couple of hours sail through the passage between Formentera and the mainland in a SW force 3-4. We arrived at Port Roig around 14.00 hrs and anchored in a gap between the many privately laid mooring bouys. Despite the name this is simply a bay with good shelter on three sides and only the south exposed to the wind and swell. As the current wind was south west there was in initially a bit of swell making its way in but when the promised change to easterly airstream came in a few hours later we were very comfortable. There is nothing in the bay other than a few fishermen’s huts which are everywhere around here and some villas overlooking from the high surrounding cliffs. It was very peaceful; we ate aboard and had a quiet night with only one other Dutch boat for company.
Wednesday was a much nicer day as the sun shone most of the time and things were a lot warmer as a result. It’s been rather gray the last few days. Quite a few other boats made their way into what was now a very protected anchorage (including the French Lifeboat but unfortunately for Carolyn it seems he only has one shower a week!) Chris put the final coat on the outboard cowling which is now a smart blue colour and also went for a swim to check the lay of the anchor and spend some time scrubbing weed off the hull. Hard work and the water was cold so this only lasted 20 minutes or so, a small % of the hull unfortunately! Carolyn made some bread and we relaxed until 18.30hrs when Jane and John from the yacht ‘Penelope’ came on board. They had anchored next to us and we invited them for pre-dinner drinks. They were based in Portsmouth and know many of the places we do and some of the people – Steve Jupp, you were name-checked! Another comfortable night but now with other 9 yachts in the Cala.
‘Penelope’ amongst others recommended a visit to the anchorage on the island of Espalmador only 10 miles to the south, part of the Formentera chain and we had already set this as our next destination. On Thursday we had a really good sail in 12 - 15 knots of easterly wind, Splice was close hauled (sailing as close to the wind direction as you can) and making 6 knots. If the sun had been out it would have been wonderful but it was a bit cold, jumpers and hats time! The bay at Espalmador would be lovely but as we write it is grey and the rain is coming down, what’s this! If we wanted rain we could have stayed in England but we now hear the weathers better there! Hopefully it will be better later or tomorrow, for now its reading or doing puzzles inside with shorts substituted for long trousers!

Photo: Carolyn’s favorite French Lifeboat