Fai Tira in Menorca with the Thrifts. 

04^th - 06^th August 2011

We arrived in Mahon Harbour at about 6.30am and after a quick cruise around to check out the anchorages we opted for a spot where there were several other yachts were anchored.

This is the lovely Mahon Harbour with its numerous gin palaces.   We chose an anchorage and after we had dropped anchor, sorted FT out. We were about to get a couple of hours shut eye, when the harbour patrol came over to us and told us we couldn’t stay where we were, as it was a no anchoring area.  We thought this strange as we were in the midst of other anchored yachts.  He was very polite and helpful and gave us a harbour plan in FRENCH!  Fai Tira of course.  We decided to up anchor and passed through the Canal to the correct anchoring zone.

We passed along the narrow and shallow canal after checking the depth with the harbour patrol,  to the anchorage which was quite busy, hence there was a rule that you could only stay 3 nights  maximum.

So we dropped the hook and settled down to a couple of hours sleep.  We woke and had brunch before launching the dinghy and got ready to head into town.

The town was quite deserted with only a few bars and restaurants open.  We had forgot Spain shuts between 1 and 5pm for siesta. There was a Thompson cruise ship in but even these passengers didn’t seem to be about. There was only one thing to do, find a cafe and have a beer and a snack.  We sat next to a great bread shop which was still open so we topped up our supplies.

At 5pm we headed off in search of a Vodafone shop to get a new sim for my internet dongle.  This proved to be quite a walk but it did take us past the bus station where Simon departed from the next day.  Mission accomplished we returned to FT  for a BBQ.  We were visited by Alberto who asked us if were needed supplies and gave us lists of items to tick off.  He would deliver first thing tomorrow, very efficient.

The next morning we woke to hot croissants and bread left in the cockpit. Later he returned with the rest of goodies.  We then headed back into town to say goodbye to Simon and put him on the bus to the airport.  I reckon the Mermaid was modelled on Maisie.    A rather large French  Brig had docked in the harbour and looked great in this setting.

The anchorage with Ed and Maisie getting to grips with canoe handling.

The next day we set off along the spectacular north coast to a fantastic anchorage know as Cala Pregonda. 

We swam, canoed and snorkelled here it was great.  The next day we left for Mallorca.

More later.

Pete and most of the Thrifts.