Hi all,

Sailing is lovely with fair winds and calm seas.......but I always say that arrival is sweet.
Today it seems that are timing is good again as the Red Arrows gave a tremendous display here over this grand harbour in Mahon.
As you near Mahon from the sea, the entrance has strong fortifications, 300 year old walls and more recent WW2 gun turrets.
The harbour is steeped in British' history, with Lord Nelson who was in command of the Mediterranean fleet here in Oct 1799 and a long British occupation during the 18 th century.
The architecture has an English influence and the impressive fortifications at the harbour entrance are of the British occupation. In the centre of the large area of water sits the Island Isla del Rey. It seems the hospital on the island celebrated 300 years of history in 2012. The red arrow conducted an amazing display to celebrate.
Today is a further anniversary day and so we have seen helicopter displays landing on the Isla del Rey and a fantastic display of the Red Arrows team.

Yesterday we had temporarily anchored under the calm shore of the Isla del Rey.
Today we laughed that we were glad we had moved to the marina last night......Tioram could have been centre stage under the helicopter.....front row seats for the Red Arrows with the whole of Mahon watching us.

The spectacle of the Red Arrows diving, swerving and screaming past the rigs here was heart stoppingly good, they are just fab.
The photos tell the story of the skill and proximity,  I only wish we could post video clips on this blog to show the speed and close quarter flying, but sadly not. The heart shape with the arrow in red white and blue was a treat.  
As well as the pics of the display take a look a the fab photos of all the locals and on lookers watching from the shore behind Tioram and on the rampart walls.  I contemplated selling English tea and cakes from the stern ha ha.

Love to all
T and T x x x.