Cala de Santa Ponsa, Mallorca (Windy City)

Pyxis
Karen & Richard
Fri 15 Aug 2008 19:34

Friday 15th August – Cala de Santa Ponsa, Mallorca (Windy City)

39:30.867N 2:28.181E

 

Last night we watched a DVD until late, given the conditions this morning we should have got an early night in…

 

This morning we were expecting the wind to pick up from the NW and there was the threat of some showers or thunderstorms on the forecast.  As dawn approached, there was a short burst of rain to wake us up and then the wind really got up, far more than forecast.  Earlier, when Richard first went on deck he could see lightning flashes in the clouds in the far distance (but away to the east of us and past, so we were spared that).

 

The local forecast said NW4-5 occasionally 6 around Dragonera reducing for the afternoon to 3-4.  We were therefore delighted to have 6-7 gusting 8.  With the wind from a different direction to that we have had here so far, our comfortable anchorage turned into an ugly lee shore (we were being blown onto the shore rather than away from it) L 

 

During one of the strongest blows (~35 knots) a small unmanned yacht dragged its anchor and nearly hit the yacht behind it before carrying on towards the shore.  With the conditions as they were at the time there was little anyone could do other than look to their own boats.  Fortunately the owner quickly appeared on the shore and was able to get aboard; ironically more easily than yesterday when he had swam out to check it’s anchor as he could just step off the rock it was pinned to.  He somehow managed to get the boat away from the shore and re-anchor  J 

 

The boat it had almost hit decided it was too close to the shore and in danger of dragging and so moved across to the other side of the bay, as did several others during the course of the morning.

 

With our anchor appearing to hold (having been buried in the sand for two weeks, maybe) and the wind due to drop around lunchtime and then swing back south this evening we decided to sit it out along with some other boats nearby.  Each boat had somebody on anchor watch and took the precaution of having their engine on tick-over just in case (as a result we now have full water tanks from taking the opportunity to run the water maker).

 

The chop from the wind in the bay got quite large at times, building up in the 1.5 miles or so across the bay from Paguera.  Fortunately we were held nose to wind so it remained comfortable.  The large headland stopped the big NW swell offshore heading in.

 

During the morning we saw various lilos, cushions and rubber rings blow past on the water.  Then mid morning we saw a lifeboat tow in a yacht and take it into the marina – for some reason it took two attempts before it went in, possibly due to the narrow entrance or because someone was already sheltering on the fuel pontoon.

 

After the initial rain the sky cleared very quickly and we have had clear skies and sun all day, just too much wind.  It certainly wasn’t a day to leave the boat and go ashore.  Instead it has been a book day.

 

This evening the wind has dropped away and the bay is calm again.  The upside of the weather today was that virtually no motor boats came in for lunch and consequently we have peace this evening J

 

 

Santa Ponsa:  Morning; Dusk

 

© Pyxis 2008