Puerto Pollensa 39:54.35N 03:05.29E
Red Skies
David Alexander
Sun 30 May 2010 15:18
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Tuesday 25th May. With a calm weather forecast we
set off from Cala Morell at 8.30 am waving goodbye to the elephant rock as we
passed. But when we reached the open sea, there was a fair breeze and we had the
sails up by 9.00 am and had a cracking sail all the way to Puerto Pollensa on
the NE coast of Mallorca. We spotted a slow-moving fin that we thought was a
sunfish and a few jelly fish but alas no dolphins. We were fortunate to pick up
a mooring buoy in the bay, which we later discovered would be free for
a fortnight until its owner put his boat back in the water. On making enquiries
at the Club Nautico, we learnt that all the mooring buoys here were privately
owned but, if one could find one unoccupied, they were free.
 The bay at Puerto Pollensa
On the following day, Wednesday, there was the
weekly market in Puerto Pollensa, where we were pleased to stock up with fresh
produce, all of good quality but it seemed they were about similar prices
to the supermarkets. In the evening,
we did the renowned walk along the Pine Walk, which gives delightful views over
the bay.
 The Pine Walk along the Bay
On the next day we took the local bus to the old
walled town of Pollensa, which is about 6 km from the coast. We climbed the
alleged 365 steps up the Calvary Way to the chapel overlooking the town. We both
counted the steps and, although we didn't exactly agree the final number, we
made it well in excess of 400.
 Calvary steps before ascent
 Looking down the Calvary steps
 View of Pollensa from the top of Calvary
steps
We took a long and winding route back into town,
following the stations of the Cross and eventually came upon the Roman Pont Roma
(actually all the signposts seemed to lead one that way).
 Pont Roma
After that we rewarded ourselves with a late lunch
at one of the pavement cafes, enjoying a Menu del Dia (3 course meal plus
drinks) for 10 euros apiece, despite the touristy nature of the place. The
remainder of the day was spent exploring Pollensa and Puerto Pollensa and, in
particular, attempting to locate someone who sold refilled Camping Gas
cylinders. We came close, receiving detailed directions on where to find our
source, but alas when we got there they had stopped selling them a few years ago
due to lack of demand.
On Friday, having seen from the pilot book that
Camping Gas might be available at Puerto Alcudia, we broke the bikes out and
cycled the 8 km To Alcudia and then on to the Port, carrying our empty bottle
with us. Puerto Alcudia is very much more developed and we found a range of
good chandleries and Camping Gas. We celebrated our find with another Menu del
Dia lunch and then went to explore Alcudia town, which is another ancient walled
town but now given over to tourism.
 Street scene in Alcudia
 Bikes at the base of Alcudia's walls
 View from the walls
The weather while we have been in Puerto Pollensa
has been sunny and warm but with a cooling breeze that seems to set in from a
variety of directions through the afternoon. Sometimes the gusts have been quite
strong and we have been pleased to be on a mooring buoy, especially when one of
our anchored neighbours had to re-anchor twice yesterday due to a dragging
anchor. The downside of the developing warmth has been the emergence of biting
insects!
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