Cala Portals is a beautiful bay with three smaller inlets off the main area. We anchored just to port as you enter in lovely flat water. Of course within half an hour the wind went easterly again and the swell set in. All the boats in the more exposed area were dancing madly at their anchors and we were getting uncomfortable. When this happens the circus starts as everyone tries to find the most sheltered spot. We all upped anchors and tried to squeeze into the far northern corner, fun and games as everyone tried to fit into too small a space but we all got comfortable in the end. The problem was that this was only a temporary solution as we knew the winds would go westerly overnight so we had to move again before dark. After our meal, the swell had dropped and we successfully re anchored after three attempts in a position that was safe for then but allowed us to swing to the west overnight (the anchor dragged and too close to another boat the first two occasions). Even so, Chris sat up until 02.00 hrs to check we were OK as there were rocks close to us if the wind had moved in a different direction – which it often does. We slept OK once the wind was in the west. Anchoring is an art, judging the winds, swell, sea floor and other boats to set up safely and sometimes you just have to sit and watch as the weather is not predictable.
On Wednesday the sun came back, it was a lovely day and the tourist boats were out and people on the beaches around us. We went ashore and walked around to the Phoenician tombs cut onto the cliffs, very impressive even though the rock is relatively soft the space carved out is large. We then dinghied to the other side of the bay and had a great lunch at a beachside restaurant ‘Mago’ (the one to starboard as you enter the bay) – bread, olives, moule mariniere as a starter and then salmon and chicken/goats cheese salads (and white wine). Very tasty and served looking out over a lovely view…………… well apart from the nudist beach in front of the restaurant, many would blend in well at a walrus convention!
We relaxed on board for a while and then did the washing and reset the immersion heater which was playing up. Dinner was bread and cheese on board that evening and we had a comfortable night in light winds.
Today (Thursday) will be another day at anchor here. We’ve already spent an hour getting the water-maker to work again with coaching from the agent in Denia, eventually a blow with a rubber hammer fixed it – don’t ask! Cruising sailing is often called fixing your boat in exotic places – too true. We are expecting the westerly winds to continue for a few days so will move on further round the left side of the Bay of Palma tomorrow to find another suitable anchorage.
In case you hadn’t realized, life at anchor is directed by winds and swell!!

Photo: The Phoenician rock tombs in the cliff at Cala Portals