Cabrera
Off again
Mark+Barbara
Fri 12 Jun 2009 10:01
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039:09.3N 002:55.6E
Managed to sail most of the way to Cabrera and
arrived just shortly after 2pm averaging about 7knts which was not bad as the
wind speed was only 10knts.
On approaching Cabrera there is a castle on the
hill which is in quite good condition considering it dates back to the 14th
century.
Puerto Cabrera is a large sheltered natural harbour
which is safe to enter under most conditions.Although it is described as a port
there are very few facilities as there is no provisioning ashore,so one has to
be adequately stocked.
The area is quite charming with again crystal clear
waters, it is a national park reserve and hence the need to obtain a permit to
enter.
After attaching ourselves to a mooring buoy we
decided to walk up to the castle,it is one of the few walks that people visiting
can do without a Park Ranger!
Despite the hot dusty walk to the top it was well
worth the spectacular view from the top.
Apparently around 9000 French prisoners of war
where interned on this island and a monument has been erected in their
honour.
Strolling back down into the harbour we stopped
into the local bar,the only one, to have a cool glass of beer,so
tranquil!
After visiting the information point we found that
you can walk to the lighthouse once a permit from the ranger has been
obtained,this we duly requested and will head off for the Lighthouse
tomorrow!
Another bright morning saw us walking up to the
lighthouse.The walk takes about 1-1 and1\2 hours to reach the lighthouse, great
views along the way make it all worth while.The climb is quite steep in places
and Samantha would love it for a training exercise! We had a picnic at the top
and rested until we were fit enough to make the return journey.Unfortunately
when you reach the top there is no access inside the lighthouse as it is all
boarded up,which is a pity.The lighthouse was last manned in 1953 to be replaced
by solar panels.
The only thing we had not as yet been able to visit
were the Blue Caves, after speaking with the warden we asked if it was possible
to spend an extra night in order for us to see them ,we were put on a
waiting list but he seemed to think that we should not have any problem staying
as it was midweek.
The next day we walked to a small museum which was
quite informative and found out that the best time to visit the Blue Caves were
in the late afternoon to early evening,they can only be reached by sea and so a
trip in the dinghy is necessary.
Again we were not disappointed,although the trip is
a bit worrying if the weather should turn as it is about one mile and half away
around the point in the next bay and one is prohibited to anchor a yacht in
the area.The caves were spectacular beautiful azure blue and crystal clear
waters well worth the extra nights stay.
Enjoyed our stay immensely in Cabrera.
Have now decided to sail mainly around The
Balearics to get in some proper sailing and not be too governed in the direction
we need to take,trying not to get ourselves tied down to schedules etc.as they
prove our undoing and lead to a lot of unnecessary stress.
Now sailing up the East coast and will pick up a
mooring buoy in Porto Petro
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