One of the other points in Alcudia’s favour is that it has good bus links to Palma, so after coffee the next day we upped anchor and returned to the anchorage outside the port there. We were even able to sail half of the distance in light winds and our big genneker was spread for the occasion. We were only making around 4 knots but there was no time pressure and it was a nice sail, apart from the cargo ship that insisted on driving straight at us despite the large expanse of bay around, time to demonstrate that turning onto a beam reach moves Splice much more quickly... out of the way though in the wrong direction. We clearly had the right of way under the international regulations and he could have turned easily a few degrees to avoid our path, probably by just pushing a button!... don’t get Chris started on the inconsiderate ways some people behave under engine… especially motorboats and ferries that roar through anchorages at top speed.
That night we went ashore at our normal bar, enjoyed a beer there and then wandered around to an Italian restaurant that Carolyn’s research had identified - Sa Roqueta, carrer Marisc 10. It didn’t look much, in a side street and with a very average frontage but the welcome and the food were very good. We shared a plate of meats and cheeses with another of battered cod and tuna ‘bites’ as a starter. Both were excellent and the fried fish was light and very fresh. We all had fish dishes as main courses served with fresh vegetables which were excellent. The fish was clearly fresh and the cooking was superb, the best fish we have had this year. The menu there is limited so choice is restricted but the quality and value were first class. We chatted to the Italian couple who own and run the place, they had been there about two years and chose Mallorca as the season is much longer than Sardinia - a very nice place – recommended.
The next morning the wind was strong and we had a very heavy gust around 09.00hrs. The instruments weren’t switched on but Chris thought it was over 25 knots and it was clear we had dragged our anchor about 20 metres. Since we bought the Rocnor anchor in England, that is the first time we have dragged once set and stable (dragging during anchoring is a fairly frequent experience) and we were surprised as the bottom is heavy sand and shells. We waited until the winds dropped then re-anchored with much more chain out - 45meters in 3.5m of water compared to the previous 30m. We have been OK since but have seen a couple of other boats drag in stronger gusts (including a French boat that could well have hit us if we hadn’t pointed out the movement to her crew) so the holding is not that great here.
Mitch and Ben were dropped ashore after coffee to catch their bus to Palma for the flight and we subsequently got the texts to say they had made it on time and then were back in the real world of the UK. It was fun having them on board and whilst they did eat all the food they only drank most of the beer - Try harder next time guys!
Since they left, we have been tidying up the boat and re-stocking the fridge and cupboards via a visit to Carolyn’s favorite store. We also spent a morning with the washing machine out working through the backlog of grubby clothes, at least they dry quickly here. The weather has been changeable in the last day or so with a lot of wind and grey skies about. The barometer dropped from around 1025 to 1010 and has only just started a more upward journey.
We are waiting for a weather window to allow us to cross the channel around 33 miles to Menorca, at present we think that will be possible tomorrow (Friday) and will decide later when we see the forecast tonight. If the wind is light this evening Chris might even venture ashore to watch England’s next match against Wales, he’s not sure if he can take the stress though!

Photo: ‘The Tree’ revisited!