Ciudadela
Red Skies
David Alexander
Mon 26 May 2014 20:22
40:00.03N 3:49.47E Having decided to make the next step directly to Ciudadela in Menorca, we left at 7.00 am with a favourable breeze and no swell. The wind was fickle all the way up the West Mallorcan coast, with promising gusts dying away in minutes. Once we cleared Cap Formentor we had a good sail, making 7.5 knots.This only lasted an hour or so and when we were joined by a pod of dolphins they quickly lost interest as we were going too slowly for them. We watched the predicted storm clouds envelop Mallorca behind us and we hoped that we would outrun the storms to be in Ciudadela before they arrived; however this was not to be. With an hour to go the rain arrived and in moments the wind had wiped up to 25 knots and the rain was torrential. Visibility was significantly reduced and we made several loops in the open sea before conditions abated to enable a sensible entry into the river. By half past four we were tied up to the Ports IB pontoons and within an hour the sun was shining, the blue sky had returned and our wet weather gear was hung out to dry, a very rare event in the last five years. Wet weather gear drying on Red Skies in Ciudadela We chose the Ports IB pontoons this time because they are so much cheaper than the Club Nautic’s moorings which are right outside the restaurants on the quay. Previously the Port IB moorings did not exist because the large ferries terminal was located there and we have been moored opposite and had ferries turned in front of us with just a couple of feet to spare! However, a new terminal for the ferries has been built just outside the river so hence the opportunity for more moorings for Ports IB. Red Skies moored on the right as viewed We had a most pleasant stroll around this ancient capital of Menorca (prior to Mahon) and renewed our memories of the enchanting architecture which we first visted 38 years ago. |