As I've done for the last three days I got up early this morning to varnish. It was going to be the last coat and I was so looking forward to completing the job and having a nice shiny, varnished "eyebrow" highlighting the sleek racing lines of our beige battleship.

No sooner had I got it on than I noticed that unlike every other morning for the last month there was no big shiny orb in the sky.

Shortly thereafter the rain started. Outrageous. In Majorca. At the start of tourist season and it's tipping down.....on my new varnish. Life can be so stressful you know!

So, have abandoned chores for the day and having an Americana in the cafe at the head of the beach in Santa Ponca while the rain comes off and on much to the glee of the cafe owners who are welcoming the hordes in off the beaches.

As planned, we made for Soller where, instead of a restful few days or even weeks as planned we rocked and rolled every night in one of most uncomfortable anchorages since we left Almerimar. Last time we were here it was a mill pond. This time around, a big swell from the north came into and bounced around the harbour from all directions. Even the boats that paid the €60 for a gut in the marina were jumping about, jerking at their warps.

Anyway, we timed our visit to coincide with the annual re-enactment of the 1561 attempted invasion of Majorca by the Moors. Thousands of folk and a cast of hundreds fired off rockets, bangers and shotguns into the early hours. All while consuming vast quantities of booze. By 10 pm the streets were littered with empty beer cans and sangria bottles. By 8am next day, it was all gone. Good work by the cleansing department!

So, after the highlights of Soller and driven by the lack of sleep we headed back to Santa Ponca, where tomorrow, we get measured up for a new mainsail. Once done and once we get our outboard or it's replacement back from the dealers we will mosey slowly back to Ibiza, maybe Formentera and then Valencia.