Heading South - Follow the bear

We took the dinghy this morning for the normal chores and see a little of the harbour.

The diesel prices here were over a third more expensive than we have seen anywhere else in the Balearics and the two small supermarkets were definitely charging a holiday location premium on every item.

We decided therefore to consult the bus timetable and go to the nearby market town of Es Mercadel for our supplies. It is always great to get out on the buses as you get to sample some of the interior of the islands. Es Mercadel itself reminded us of Romsey in its size.

Later in the afternoon, we were given the display of the locals racing their boats in the harbour. The island has a range of boats named after it (Menorquins) and we can see why. The design is so popular here - a wave breaking bow for the swell, the boats leave little wash which allows them to tow a fishing a net. They have fold out biminis, which stretch the length of the vessel to allow the fisherman and their precious catch to always be able to be protected.

The speciality in Fornells is lobster which is normally served as a stew 'Calderata de Llogasta' - King Juan Carlos is reported to sail here from Palma just for this dish. The fisherman we believe are probably fairly wealthy!

As I write this, the wind has picked up quite dramatically this morning. Over the last couple of weeks I have been reading 'East & West Med's Best' by Sarah Edwards, given to me by Margaret of Freya of Lerwick in Sant Carles, in which the authoress talks about the Tramontana (North wind) which can be particularly strong as it comes down from the French coast the Gulf de Lyon (Bay of the lion) and when the lion roars it means it.

She said in her book, if you find no dew on the deck in the morning wait until ten o'clock before making your decision to leave and sure enough today there was no dew and by 10.15 there are thirty knot gusts. Sometimes it pays to be a bookworm.