Sunday 18 September 2011

Ibiza and Palma


Andrew had flown into Ibiza and caught the fast ferry across to Formentera. Having stocked up in the supermarket with hot freshly baked bread,  I picked Andrew up in the Rib and we skimmed back across the bay at full speed in the fading light in time for vodka and tonics on Juno watching the sunset.  The plan to sail to Mallorca had to be postponed due to unfavourable wind, so instead we had a leisurely morning swimming before setting off on the short sail to San Antonio, the clubbing capital of Ibiza where we dropped Andrew off for the flight back to Mallorca. Fatty and I then motored into a strong wind up the northern coast of Ibiza to Portimatx to give us a good starting point for the 50 mile journey to Mallorca.








The next morning we motor sailed across the Straights of Mallorca and into the huge Bay of Palma where the cathedral dominates the skyline, eventually squeezing into the marina where we had booked a berth. Palma is one of the largest concentrations of yachts in the med with several large marinas and the location for the Oyster Regatta. What had started as a casual suggestion by Barry Ashmore, the sales director of Oyster, that we should attend their regatta in Palma, had become our mission for the past six weeks and we had finally made it – with a week to spare. After a wash down of the boat, Andrew, Jeannette, Kit, Jess, Stevie and Greg joined us for drinks on board before we all went out for dinner in Palma old town at our favourite restaurant 13%.  

The next morning we packed up the boat and headed for the airport, to fly back to the UK for  a week of board meetings. Next time we are on board will be for the regatta and then we need to find a berth for the winter.