13th April Update

10th April, Club de Mar, Palma, Mallorca. (Updated from Mc Donalds, We weren't going to pay 18 euro for 2 days internet at the yacht club...)
So – a chance to update the blog again. We had a bit of a rush on to try and work the weather windows and make it to Mallorca in time to meet up with Pete (our youngest son). He was bringing some important mail that needed our attention and was only going to be in Palma Nova for 1 week. Carolyn’s Mum & Dad were also in Palma but they have 2 weeks over here (although at the opposite side to Palma Nova). The weather window was only available for a couple of days and we had to make the most of it - so it was a long day from Moraira to Ibiza and then a longer day from San Antonio to Mallorca. Kiara did not have the same rush to get over to Mallorca so rested up in Ibiza and will follow over when the weather improves and they have explored some of Ibiza. When we anchored at San Antonio, Nocturne were already there having crossed from Javea and Seawalk had already left to head over to Mallorca. Next day was an early start to ensure arriving in good time at Andraitx (about 65 miles away) and we made good speed; although as we left in the early morning the wind gusts off the land were up at 30+ knots so we headed further out to sea where the wind settled to 16 – 18 knots, good sailing although we had to have the motor on because once again the wind was a little tight on the nose. Waves and swell were OK until we cleared the protection of the island and then were quite steady on the starboard bow. Then the wind increased to a steady 20 – 23 knots so we took in a couple of rolls on the genoa and carried on while the swell increased and the direction became a little confused so producing the bonus of the occasional double wave ( from different directions ) that peak together and try to jump in the boat. To our surprise, Seawalk were already at anchor in the bay having left from the north east corner of Ibiza, we had thought they were heading directly to the Palma area but got an SMS from them just before we arrived.
We had hoped to go to the moorings administered by the local government (Junta) but there was no room so we went to the Club Vela moorings. Lesson number ?? Ask the price before going – we knew that the Junta run moorings were cheap and expected the Club ones to be dearer but 30 euros for 1 night for our wee boat was a bit heavy ( for winter rates) goodness only knows what it will be in the high season. Next night at anchor in Andraitx bay was very roly and not much sleep so we were up early and headed for Palma Nova to an anchorage there. The wind was to be 18 – 20 from behind so a reasonable sail. That’s how it started and as we headed along the coast it got less until we were only doing about 1 knot just before turning the corner to head roughly north – the wind was there waiting for us – up to 28 knots and Yep! On the nose. So we did a bit of tacking and only put the motor on for the last 3 miles. Seawalk had left later that day and we settled to anchor just outside the small marina at Palma Nova. The marineros are very helpful and there is no problem leaving the dinghy in the marina while we get shopping etc. We had a couple of days there, met up with Pete and Liam; and took a bus to meet with Carolyn’s Mum & Dad at Arenal about 6 Km east of Palma. We moved around the bay as the swell and wind dictated so that we were reasonably quiet at anchor – as you will be able to see from the pins on the route map and today we are now in the very beautiful Club de Mar for a few days so that we can leave the boat safely in the marina while we see a little of Palma and meet up again with C’s M & D before they go back home.
The weather has been changeable with some overcast days (even a little rain) [ no sympathy requested ] so it’s not all blue skies – although from what we hear it’s a good deal better than UK [ no sympathy implied ].