Olbia to Menorca – some pictures

 

 

Returning to Ione in Olbia in mid September we sailed to Bonifacio via La Maddalena, enjoying, as always, the view of the fortress from the harbour.

 

 

We spent a couple of nights in Castelsardo, taking the bus to the top of the town to visit the castle and cathedral. Also having a very good lunch in a little restaurant where we had eaten about three years ago.

 

 

The castle museum has some wonderful old siege engines.

 

 

We entered Stintino in gentle conditions after a swim in the nearby anchorage

 

 

It very soon started to blow a full gale, however the marina is very sheltered and we hid there for 3 days with spray and salt covering Ione.

 

 

A weather window did appear, so we then crossed over to Menorca where we anchored behind Isla Colom, sharing the anchorage with James Dyson’s boat Nahlin.

 

 

From Isla Colom we cala hopped to Cala en Porter then Cala Covas before a few days in Mahon at the Club where we arranged for a new mainsail through Viviane at Velas Fonduco and also serviced the engine.

 

 

Then Cala hopping again to our favourite Cala Talé via Son Saura.

 

 

Eating well as we went!

 

 

Overall the weather was mixed. We were in Ciutadella for a massive thunderstorm which led to flooding and a dozen deaths in NE Mallorca only some 50 miles south of us.

 

 

The passage to Fornells started gently, then the wind and sea state started to get up and we were pleased to see the leading lights at the harbour entrance.

 

 

Once the weather eased we headed back to spend a couple of nights in Cala Alguyrens.

 

 

Always one of our favourites, with goats

 

 

And Andouin gulls, also booted eagles and Egyptian vultures

 

 

And goats

 

 

And a mermaid by a lagoon!

 

 

Overall a delightful couple of days

 

 

Before returning to Ciutadella to be lifted at Astilleros Llompart.

 

 

However we did have a car, so were able to explore the island, visiting the park of S’Albufera near Es Grau

 

 

With a plethora of bird life including great crested grebes

 

 

And a final visit to Cala Talé to swim and laze on the beach watching the goats

 

 

Then, from 23 degree swimming in Talé, flying back to a cold UK on 23^rd October.