39:09.35N 2:56.24E 

We slipped our mooring lines at 4.35pm on Monday and sailed out of Mahon to begin our 7 day trip to Gibraltar, where we will meet up with the rest of the rally. It was a lovely afternoon, the sun was shining and the wind was in the right direction for the next 48 hours, so we set the sails and happily sailed along at 7 knots. A perfect start!

As night drew in we started out watches. It was a clear night and the sky was a mass of stars. When I was little I would stand on the door step with my Dad and he would point out all the different stars, most of them I have forgotten. The only ones I can remember are - the milky way, the big dipper and the plough. We have a book on board called simply stargazing, a gift from Jack, so I have 20 months to learn all about the stars I have forgotten and new ones. I will keep you up dated with my newly acquired knowledge!

The night was quiet, the only other traffic was a cruise ship lit up like a Christmas tree heading for Marseille. Then towards the end of my watch I had a dolphin for company, jumping right out of the water. He stayed a few seconds and then disappeared in to the night (what’s he doing playing at 3am!!!). We’ve had lots of dolphins swimming along with us in the past and I’m sure we’ll have lots more. I don’t think I will ever tire of seeing them!

Our first stop was Isla de Cabrera, where we picked up a buoy at 7am. As a national park Cabrera is a restricted zone of national interest due to its wildlife and rare species of flora, fauna and bird life, unique to the archipelago. Unfortunately we didn't stay long enough to do the island justice.

We left Isla de Cabrera at midday. The promised winds have not materialised so we are motoring towards Saint Eulalia, Ibiza.

That's all for now!

Paul & Derry