Greetings from Corsica - News and Photos

Ione
Tue 5 May 2015 21:21

Greetings from Corsica – News and Photos

 

We have been very lazy in failing to compile any sort of record of the last 4 weeks or so. However we are staying an extra day in Bonifacio with strong easterlies, so an extra moment in time!

 

We returned to Ione in Mahon on 10th April to find all well apart from the cockpit cover where the rubber bands on the stern had given way. Apparently winds had reached 65 knots 10 days previously!

 

Daylight on the next day revealed a waterline clogged with weed. This must have happened since we left the boat just before Christmas. A couple of hours in the dinghy with brushes improved the situation but still left a garden below water.

 

The next day, Sunday, we decided to try to move to Ciutadella for the planned lift, clean, antifoul, polish etc at the excellent Llomparts yard. Full power under engine gave us no more than 4 knots, dragging our garden, however with the help of the wind we proceeded slowly around the south coast towards Ciutadella. Lunch came but then the wind died – on engine but no drive. Further investigation revealed that the linkage to the gearbox had failed. However a string lashing gave a temporary cure and we eventually made Ciutadella with some relief.

 

On Tuesday we limped around to the yard for a lift:

 

 

Not a pretty sight and declared by Jaume to be the worst he had seen in many years. However easily rectified  and, on inspecting the gear linkage, Bruno declared that this was a simple job of machining a new circlip.

With Ione now in safe hands we were able to take the bus to Mahon and spend three nights with Dennis & Dereka and the full tribe in residence before returning to UK for school.

 

By Friday 17th we were back in Ciutadella to watch a very different Ione being launched. New anodes, antifouled, gearbox repaired and hull sparkling with polish.

 

 

So on Saturday, a week after arrival, we were finally ready to do some sailing. The wind looked fair for two or three nights at anchor around the island.

 

 

Cala Alguyrens was beautiful as ever and completely deserted.

 

The next couple of days we planned to spend on the south coast calas. However this was not to be. Off the west coast the engine hiccupped a couple of times and then, off Cala Taller it died. Investigation revealed a blockage in the main outlet pipe to the engine. Cleared, we were underway again but undecided whether to put into Taller, with no phone connections, or to try to make Mahon. The latter prevailed and we returned to Marina Mahon feeling a bit down.

 

Opening the top of the fuel tank revealed considerable bug growth so we spent the day trying to find someone to resolve the problem. Finally Ulf, now semi-retired but the Volvo man with 30 years experience, came to our rescue.

 

The next three days were expensive. First the tank – with 180 litres of fuel – had to be drained then flushed with alcohol, and filters changed. Then we had to motor around the harbour with a minimum of fuel to burn off any nasty remnants, then refuel with 200 litres. However by Thursday 23rd all seemed well and the forecast for the next couple of days was benign.

 

Finally we were back in cruising mode and on Friday 24 April, once the early fog had cleared, we set off for Sardinia. We had a pretty uneventful crossing for the next 30 hours. Almost all under engine and little to see apart from as brief sighting of a couple of whales half a mile off.

 

 

On arrival in Sardinia we felt that we could not immediately face a marina so anchored off Porto Conte for the night before going into Alghero.

 

 

The entrance to Alghero is very attractive and we were met in the entrance by the Aquatica Marina RIB to guide us in. As we backed onto the quay we were met with much waving. Lo and behold there were Margot and Harry from No Agenda, wintering there, Griff and Jane from Cocobaru, visiting for the weekend, and Frank and Judy from Shalini, up for the weekend from Cagliari. Talk about coming home to friends!!

 

We spent a very enjoyable three days in Alghero, socialising with Harry & Margot and also Peter and Anne from the catamaran Wild Cat.

 

 

Our time in Alghero was topped off by a massive €40 11-course meal,            including endless wine for the 6 of us, in restaurant Mabrouk close to the marina.

 

Thursday 30th April saw us underway again, heading north towards the top of Sardinia. Spectacular scenery off Capo Caccia and the Argentiera coast. After passing through the narrow Fornelli passage with a dog leg in the middle, we anchored on sand in 5m off the Ancora yacht club. Deserted and perfect peace for the night!

 

Mayday gave us a mixture of motoring and sailing to Castelsardo. It being a public  holiday we had no help from the marineros and with the wind hard and just not straight onto the quay, mooring was not fun, however with the help of a Swede from a nearby boat we finally got sorted.

 

Last year we had only enough time to spend one night in Castelsardo and had not been able to visit the town perched high on the cliffs. Now was the time to rectify this.

 

 

The town in perched on top of the headland.

 

 

With wonderful narrow streets and a campanile overlooking the sea.

 

Last year the winds in the straits of Bonifacio had precluded a visit, however with a gentle breeze forecast we decided that we should try to get to Corsica. We had to motor for the first bit but finally did get a sail towards the impressive entrance to Bonifacio.

 

 

Entering though a small gap in the cliffs, one turns to starboard as a whole cala opens out with the citadel to starboard. In some ways reminiscent of Ciutadella but on a grander scale. We had no reply to our call on Ch 9 but were met by a RIB who guided us to a mooring – but no marineros ashore so SMB made the death leap with shore lines!

 

 

A walk up the steep path to the citadel gave fantastic views over the harbour.

 

And the old town was fascinating, despite the plethora of tourists and restaurants.

 

 

Doorways from the narrow streets lead to stairs up to six storeys. In olden times many doors had no stairs but only ladders to the first floors!

 

 

From the top one could see not only the harbour but the cliffs outside.

 

Today –Tuesday 5th May – has been very windy from the east – wrong for us, but now changing to the west. Our plan is to head towards La Maddalena harbour tomorrow. We were there last year but would like to explore in more detail. Thereafter we need to get to Santa Teresa di Gallura but with a gale due at the weekend we may have to move there on Friday. However we should be able to pick up some of the British Election results before we move.

 

Our plan now is to leave Ione in Santa Teresa di Gallura for a month. We will return to UK from Olbia on Tuesday 12 May for 3 weeks or so. Our general plan then is to circuit Corsica before returning to Menorca to lay up ashore in Addaya over the heat of August.  Thereafter who knows??!!

 

Tony & Sarah,

Bonifacio – 5 May 2015

Malo 37 – Ione – http://blog.mailasail.com/ione

 

 

 

Malo 37 - Ione

http://blog.mailasail.com/ione