Mainland Spain

Left Ibiza at 6 am heading for Denia in spain. Nice broad reach most of the way with a smooth sea. 7 miles from spain the depth alarm went of the depth had gone from 700m to only 2.4m (and the boat draws 2m) Checked the charts, checked the computer ??? this went on for about half an hour with us reducing sail and speed. Then the reason became clear,, a Huge Fin whale was under the boat (probably trying to make friends with our boat) it headed south. Saw another sunfish then gale force 6 as we made land. A bit to much exitement for one day....

Ibiza

Sailed from andratx to Ibiza, two nights at anchor then into Ibiza town (lovely) saw dolphins, and a sunfish on the way over. Sailed to ESplamor island, deserted and very nice. Sailed to San Antonio (YUK) through thunder and lightning.

Hi, since the last post we sailed to Cabera up to Minorca,back to palma to pick up aunty Karen & Robert then had a gentle cruise to Andratx.

Portal Vells

We anchored at portal Vells outside the ancient tombes. After a lunch we took a torch and explored inside. Nicola was OK until a bat screached next to her!
Nicola had a nice swim and we had dinner here.

The wind picked up later so we headed around to Magaluf beach to spend the night. (something Johnys probably done before!)

Dolphins

we left santa ponca to have dolphins swimming under the boat, a very nice moment

First night at anchor

After cocktails at sunset we had our first night at anchor. It wasnt the best nights sleep we had had as we kept waking to look out of the windows to see that we hadnt moved. When we woke up and went on deck it was like a mill pond and as we looked under the boat we could see dozens of fish. Alex correctly identified the Barracuda (from finding nemo) along with lots of white bream. We had also swung around and were directly above our anchor that was well set in. We were of Santa Ponca beach and william with the binoculars found the McDonalds!

Dinner!

The starter for this evening was line caught saddle bream pan fried with Mallorcan butter with a cold beer in a deserted cove in glorious sunshine. Not really rubbing it in!

We tried the new Rocna anchor today our old anchor would not dig in on the hard sandy seabed here in the med but the new one performed very well.
the sea temperature is still a bit low but that didnt stop the boys playing on the beach and in the water. Alex swam with me from the boat and william swam on my back.
Yesterday it was our last day with the hire car so we did some sightseeing and on to Magluf that was very English and to Nicky and Williams delight we saw a KFC just past the lap dancing bar. Very tastefull. The beach was good and the boys spent a couple of hours digging holes and filling the with sea water. More photos on the picasa site

First Med Moor

This is our fifth visit to Leisha and now Being cleared by Our insurance company required work done Was That All Could she leave her berth and head to sea. Our thinking Was That she should be the same as Our Last boat .. only bigger! But in the Med to Maximise the number of Vessels to dock Metre of squash are all Vessels in Touching on Both Sides. With 50 foot of boat and 45 foot of aisle But all tight It Was Passed Without incident. We sailed out of Andratx around to one of the nearby coves That was very tight so nice But on to the next. We planned to anchor in 5m of water with crystal clear visability But 12m 2 and it seems like we stopped for a break under anchor. A quick motor back, fill up the fuel tanks, empty the tank and a smooth Other return to Our berth. (Exept the boys getting under Nicky feet)

The Rope and The Propellor

When we had our boat in Torquay i asked at the marina office if i could dive under our boat to check something on the propellor. No you need two professional divers and a third person on the quay ready to dive just in case. Well when we bought Leisha the propellor had a rope caught around it being slightly aprehensive i asked at the spanish marina office...No problem you dive! It seems thankfully risk assesments and health and safety nanny state has not reached Mallorca. Pic, fat man in a wet suit!

Bus To Palma

The forecast for friday so we overcast Was Decided That was to be the day we took the bendy bus to Palma, we need some flares (Which Keeps Apparently no one locally as the locals like to use them at football matches) We went to the cathederal , saw the street entertainers, one of the museums and lunch at Nicola Wishing to get Into The Spanish theme ... Fish & Chips!

At the airport

2.00 am finish yesterday getting the house ready and another six hours today so we were finally ready to go. The cases were packed to within a gramme of the maximum weight, until nicola adds some extras! The boys are exited and a bit tired we both feel drained. Mum and dad drove us to bristol and we had a well needed little nap on the way
the adventure begins


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Only 20 kilos !!

Busy packing


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Williams last day at school

Will had a great last day at nursery, he will miss his lovely teachers. He didn't leave without giving each one a big hug.



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House photos

The photos went live today with the letting agent, nicola worked her magic with the duster






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Paperwork

Fire risk, health and safety gas electric access statements what I nice day I have had

The last supper

The girls at bickley mill



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Getting the house ready

We have been busy getting the ducks by the pond the horses at the bottom of the garden the house tidied all ready for the photos for holiday letting


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testing the flares

(note the happy face)

Captain James

Alex & The nail gun, thank god its gone back to Jason!

Snow at Hillandale

William, Eliza and Alex

Not long left to go now before our big departure, house nearly finished, boat nearly ready!