Ciudadela 39:59.95N 03:49.82E
Red Skies
David Alexander
Thu 13 May 2010 14:59
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We made a reasonably early start on Wednesday
morning, leaving Porto Cristo at 8.00 am and motoring the 38
miles (there was no wind) directly to Ciudadela, the old capital of
Menorca, which we reached at lunchtime. The last time we visited this
ancient city was 33 years ago and we were then accompanied by our young
sons and Alison's parents. On that occasion we were fortunate to witness the
displays of the Festival of Sant Juan, and in particular the wonderful
equestrian feats, riding horses through the narrow cobbled streets and even in
and out of houses. We wondered how we would find the city on our return
visit.
The answer, of course, was much has we had left it,
but with the addition of a few international brand names and mobile
telephone shops. This time we had a better opportunity to see the architecture,
without the hordes of people, and horses, that previously had been so evident.
It has a mixture of grand palaces, somewhat worn, narrow streets and arcaded
footways that are just delightful to mooch around. We were so pleased to have
made the return trip. Unexpectedly, we found a shop selling speciality goods and
managed to stock up on Bovril, HP sauce and Bisto.
Our mooring is right on the town quay, something
only possible to achieve by coming so early in the season. The river leading
into the town is controlled by a system of lights and when ferries enter or
depart other craft are forebidden to navigate the river. We soon saw the reason
for this.
 Red Skies on the town quay
 Ferry coming down the river into the
city
 Ferry turning round in front of Red
Skies
 An even bigger ferry!!
 Turning ferry taken from Red Skies'
cockpit
 Showing how little room is to spare
 The town hall and police station
 A pair of palaces
 Narrow streets with many twists and turns - said to
be designed to hinder invaders
 A colonaded walkway
 Some unusual post boxes
We thought the charges made for mooring in
Ciudadela were steep at 50 euros a night (excluding use of showers), but
that was put in perspective by the charge which increased to 95 euros on Ist
June and the charges for using a washing machine and dryer in the Club Nautico
clubhouse (which we declined) which were a massive 23 euros, more than three
times any previously noted extortionate rates.
We have continued to enjoy mostly sunshine, but
with the odd shower. However, there is still a cool breeze that picks up in the
afternoon. The forecast for the next few days includes some strong northerlies,
so we shall leave tomorrow and seek a sheltered cala on the South
coast.
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