Palma to Cala Portals Vells

Altea
Fri 13 Sep 2013 09:23
39:28:41N 02:31:39E

13 September 2013

After sorting out life jackets and explaining where the fire extinguishers and life raft etc are, and once J and L have sorted the washing, we reverse out of the berth and head off towards Portals Vells, hoping to catch up with S and S. We have a very nice sail over, P and F taking turns at the helm.

The Cala, when we get there, is lovely, with clear water, craggy cliffs, caves, and a couple of nice beaches tucked into greenery and rocks. It is also very full. Boats anchored everywhere. As one of the few spots within easy reach of Palma, it is not surprising I suppose. We pick a spot near the mouth of the bay and put down a minimal scope of 20m in about 8m of water. We can't put out more as we will be on top of the boat behind.

To be on the safe side, J and I decide to stay with the boat and L, F and P kayak in for lunch.

We are able to drop another 10 m when the boat behind heads off, and just as we are going to venture in, the others are back. The crew in the kayak and S and S in the very smart Scanner. It is very efficiently brought alongside and the crew, including J this time, jump aboard to head off for a distant beach bar, a day's sail away, or 30 mins in the Scanner. I play the martyr and stay aboard to mind the ship.

After pottering about swimming, cleaning the water line a bit, diving to make sure the log turns freely, and generally passing the time as you can only do on a boat, the others eventually return at dusk having had a great time and a bit of an adventure on a shallow reef.

We decide to stay put, even though the anchorage is a bit exposed and rolly.

I make the mistake of putting out a fender to keep the kayak off the back of the boat. A mistake because in the morning it is gone. Must have been too near the water line and the up and down had worked the hitch loose.