Cala d'Hort
Altea
Wed 4 Sep 2013 14:04
3 and 4 September 2013
We sailed on past Isla Vedranell which according to a magazine article we had read, would be teaming with dolphins and turtles. Unfortunately it was not really possible to anchor in the wind that we had, but we had a great sail past the island and on to Cala Horts.
Much excitement as we caught a little blue fin tuna on the way. We all agreed it should go back in the water, and we will come back and catch it when it is a monster.
The cala had a very different feel. Red cliffs surrounding the bay; a sandy beach and lovely clear water.
J and I paddled in in the Eagle and booked a table for dinner. We all went back in the dinghy. Most of us had Paella - because you have to have it at least once. Tasty, but I think we would have preferred a steak.
There was a beautiful sunset view and a couple getting married on the beach, punctuated by their choreographed jump into the sea at the end. Very romantic...Although they looked a bit bedraggled walking back (separately) through the restaurant later.
I could not help overhearing two women in cowboy hats and with very odd shaped lips discussing the relative merits of their respective third and fourth husbands.
We watched Venus set through the evening. Starting high in the sky and then looking like an anchor light in the bay before it fell out of sight. The stars were dramatic as we paddled back to the boat. The milky way clearly visible. J and I went on deck with the ipad stars app to identify the stars and planets. The North star, small but unmistakable, and a red star called Antares.
Nomination whist to end the day.
The next day was very tranquil and we decided to stay. Next to us was a very strange vessel. A bimaran, that looked like a trimaran with a float missing. It had two unstayed masts, and we eventually worked out that it had two front ends so was intended only to be sailed on one tack. Instead of turning through the wind it must just stop and set off in the other direction, a bit like a snowboarder feathering down a slope. It was occupied by a bohemian group of all ages, who had set off on it at nightfall the previous day, but it was back at anchor in the morning.
J and C decided on an expedition back to the craggy island of Vedranell 1.5 nMs away by kayak. After a trial run around the small islet in the bay they set off, armed with portable vhf, hats T shirts, snorkels etc. J's radio check was very welcome, as they had gone out of sight of our binoculars, delivered in the style of a Black Adder military officer it was a hoot.
We were impressed with their spirit of adventure and their stamina, and pleased when they returned unscathed and unburned. There had been no turtles and dolphins - just jelly fish.
Spag Bol for tea, and nomination whist - a game at which I now appear to be completely incompetent.