A second month on board – News & Photos

 

 

The last blog a month ago saw us in La Maddalena. Since then we have circuited Sardinia and returned to Menorca where we were lifted out today in Addaya in preparation for flying home tomorrow.

 

Leaving La Maddalena on Saturday 27^th May we anchored in Porto Palma on Caprera Island. We had not got a Maddalena permit as we had not planned to stay there but were unlucky enough to be stung for €40 by the park wardens. An expensive swim!

 

The next day the swimming was free, anchored in the Bay of Capriccioli near Cala di Volpe and next to John and Julia Parsons, CA, with whom we supped on Ocean Wind.

 

 

Thence a beat to Olbia with good views of the strange hunk of rock which is Isola Tavolara. Circulo Nautico of Olbia did not respond to telephone calls or VHF so we ended up rather more expensively in Marina Olbia at €55 per night. More luxurious than Circulo Nautico but rather further from the town centre. However the time was well spent with a major supermarket shop one day and a long bicycle ride into town on the next day.

 

The disadvantage of the east coat of Sardinia is that there are few decent anchorages, particularly with any east in the wind. We left Olbia early on Thursday, 1^st June, to head south for La Caletta, arriving just before midday and just before the wind picked up to 26 knots on the nose!

 

 

In La Caletta we were able to eat at a favourite restaurant and bicycle some 5 km to the delightful village of Posada. We also met Jorg and Maxi from the German Malo 36 ‘Bora Bora’ whom we last met 7 years ago in Povoa de Vazim.

 

 

The coast south of La Caletta and approaching Santa Maria de Navarrese

has some wonderful cliff scenery.

 

 

The Santa Maria de Navarrese marina was as welcoming as on our last visit a couple of years ago. Good facilities and only a short walk or bicycle ride into the little town.

 

 

We spent 5 nights in all enjoying Santa Maria whilst a blast of wind passed the south coast of Sardinia. This olive tree is over 1000 years old.

 

Leaving Santa Maria on Thursday 8^th June, we decided that Cagliari was a step too far and with no decent anchorages in between stopped for one night in the convenient but uninspiring port of Porto Corallo.

 

The next morning we awoke to the election result, pleased that May has failed, before setting sail for Cagliari, stopping en route for fuel in Villasimius.

 

 

In Cagliari we based ourselves in the relatively new marina of Portus Karalis which is very much in the centre of the town, so ideal for sightseeing.

 

 

A fascinating town to explore, but much hill climbing and the lifts which we had used on a previous visit were out of action!

 

Monday afternoon saw Iain and Susie Perring join us, so we stayed a further day in Cagliari to do a bit more tourism and eating.

 

Leaving on Wednesday 14^th there was negligible wind but we managed a lunchtime swim off the ruins of Pula before anchoring for the night near Malfitano and another dip.

 

The next day we did manage a brief sail after breakfast before the wind died again and we motored most of the way to Carloforte.

 

 

This was our third visit to Carloforte, the first being in 1999, and we have always enjoyed this town with its pastel painted houses.

 

 

The salines outside Carloforte are no longer being worked but are home to many birds.

 

 

Including flamingos, stilts, avocets, little egrets and great white egrets.

 

We left Carloforte at first light on Sunday 18^th June, having allowed the swell to reduce, for passage to Menorca. An uneventful passage of 37 hours, too much of which was under engine, to anchor on the south coast of Menorca in Cala Son Saura. With a SE swell there are few sheltered anchorages on this coast and we found ourselves packed into the sheltered half of the bay with about 20 other boats.

 

 

The next few days were spent cala hopping – Son Saura, Trebeluguer, Alguyrens, de la Olla, Es Grau, Teulera – with one day in port in Ciutadella.

 

 

Finally we arrived back in Club Maritimo in Mahon for a couple of nights where , on Saturday 24^th, our crew deserted us for the delights of UK.

 

Since then we spent a night again in Cala de la Olla, meeting David and Susie Baggaley who are the local OCC representatives, before coming round to our summer base here in Puerto Addaya where we have been made extremely welcome.

 

 

After a hard day yesterday – full engine service with new oil and fuel filters and 4 laundry loads – we were lifted out this morning and efficiently chocked off.

 

Tomorrow we fly home, returning here again on 6^th August.

 

Best wishes to all - Tony & Sarah

 

Ione – Addaya, Menorca

Tuesday 27^th June 2017