28th to 30th Aug; Sardinia to Mallorca:
Well, we have our longest passage yet ahead of us! Two days, two nights and one morning! We’re all a little bit excited / scared / apprehensive ~ and also a little bit looking forward to the challenge! Rob and Pete have the toughest task of sharing the overnighters!
28th Aug, day one:
Our 5.25 alarm woke us up, and, at 5.30, Rob and I were up and about. Most of the washing up was put away last night, so not much to do now. I helped Rob clear the decks and switch all the navigation lights on! The decks are VERY wet with the dew and it’s a bit chilly. I had to dig our fleeces out! Pete surfaced and we upped the anchor at 6.15 (Jack is still fast asleep in his cabin). It’s now just after 7am and we are having breakfast underway. Not a bad way to start the day! At 12.30, there is just a little swell with 6knts of wind. A little birdie (wren?) has joined us in the cockpit and is resting on our guard rails. We kept very still so we didn’t disturb her before she flew away. Jack joined us a few times in the cockpit and the mood is quite light hearted. At 5pm, we switched the engine off (yay!) But, at 6pm, it was back on again! (Boo!) But its only on tick over, though, AND we are doing 5.7knots 🙂 It is now 7.30pm and we’ve no swell and 8knots of wind, so it is very calm. Rob heated up the spag bol he had prepared last night for tea, for 8pm and, at sunset, we all looked for the green flash – but no joy this time. Soon after it was dark. No moon tonight, but it is a bright and magical starry night 🙂 We even confused the rising of Jupiter behind us with a vessel for a few moments! I see a lot of bioluminescence (wonderful – but I couldn’t get a photo of it). I turned in at around 11pm, leaving Jack, Pete and Rob on night watch. They saw lots of shooting stars and the Milky-Way was just unbelievable! As night sails go, this one was Simply The Best!
29th Aug, day two:
I slept right through until 7am. I made my way to the cockpit to be told the following information: Jack had turned in at around 2am and Rob and Pete took it in turns to catnap in the cockpit. It was a good nights sail apparently. Currently it’s 8am and the wind, at 9knts, has moved from the beam to the stern, and we have a current speed of 5knts. Pete went to his bunk for some sleep. At 8.45, we saw a turtle swim past! Unfortunately Pete missed it. But, at 9.15 both Pete and I spotted a mum and a calf pilot whale!!! Whoop whoop. They. Were. Amazing! All four of us were on the deck! We were over the moon to see them! We were so lucky. Rob and Pete both went for some shut eye soon after. Rob spoke to Fynbos, via the radio, at 4.30pm and he was told that they are 12 hours behind us. Hopefully they are having a good crossing. We made plans to meet up with them at Cala Figuera Marina! We are all very pleased and we look forward to seeing them again. At 5.30pm, we swapped our Italian and Sardinian courtesy flags for Spanish and Mallorca! How exciting! Soon after, we all started to receive a signal as all of our phones started bleeping! The signal is weak, but we didn’t speak to each other for a while, as we caught up with the world hahha! At dinner time, the wind picked up – as did the sea swell. Not good. Both of which got stronger, until poor Rob was cooking in 15knt gusts and a 1.5 mtr swell. Makes cooking more dangerous than interesting! Luckily he didn’t get burnt! But Rob did a lovely dinner – and still no green flash at sunset. Another time maybe. I turned in at 9pm, leaving Rob and Pete on watch, and Jack in his cabin.
30th Aug, day three:
Oh my life! Not a good night for any of us! It was a very, very rolly sea. My alarm woke me up at 5.30am(!) so I crawled to the cockpit. All three male Agers were in the cockpit. All was good, so I crawled back to bed! I woke up again at 7.30am. I discovered that it is light and that Rob and Pete were on watch. Rob reported that he had got some shut eye while Pete stayed up,and that Jack had turned in at around 6am. Both had said that it was an awful night. Currently, the swell is quite bad at 1.5 to 2 mtrs – and it’s going straight into our planned marina! Not good. There are more comfy anchorages around the next point, but they are an extra 3 hours away! Sigh. We had planned on meeting Fynbos in the marina, but we don’t know if they’ve actually managed to book a berth or not. We can’t book a berth for today anyway (PortsIB rule on same-day bookings) so the earliest we can book for is for tomorrow! We’ve no choice but to continue on around the point, to anchor out there. Pete went to his bunk to catch up on some much needed sleep. He did really well! At 9.30am, we are following the gorgeous Mallorcan coastline. Rob and I saw a comerent with a fish! He looked very pleased with himself! Not long after, at 10.45, we dropped the hook in a beautiful, calm bay! The sea is as warm as bath water! After a quick swim, a looong siesta was had by all! Rob made us all an easy lunch, after which we found out that Fynbos had anchored in Cala D’or. This is too far from us to meet up, unfortunately, by land or by sea. Hopefully we will meet up in Santa Eulalia, Ibiza. Fynbos confirmed that they hadn’t managed to book a night in Fertilia Marina, which was a good thing, as they had actually closed their gates, because of the strong winds! Wow! All the boys were back in the sea shortly after (not me, though, as I had a date with my kindle) Jack was diving in after one of our bowls hahhaha! They disturbed a flat fish, poor thing.
So, we left Sardinia at 6am on the 28th and we arrived here, Mallorca, on the 30th, at 10.45am. This equals a total of 52hrs and 45 mins of travel ! A big round of applause to Pete and Rob for covering the night sails – and an even bigger round of applause to Rob, for looking after us crew (cooking ALL meals and making ALL the teas and coffees!) and for keeping us safe! Top Banana!!
31st August; Platja des Carbo, Mallorca:
A very good nights sleep was had by all 🙂 We had had such a lovely afternoon yesterday, after the last few days! But this morning we woke to rain!!! Fortunately, it had stopped after breakfast, though, and the sun has started to come out.
We plan to move on to Santa Eulalia, Ibiza, tomorrow and Fynbos are now going to Alcudia – in the opposite direction. They plan to wait out the nasty weather due there, before heading over to Barcelona. So, meeting up is not going to happen now 🙁 So disappointing. Again.
Later, all the male Agers were back in the lovely warm sea. Something about a “bucket experiment” ! They were all attempting to make their own diving bell. Such fun! It’s a very balmy day. Lovely and just what the doctor ordered!
Late afternoon, Rob and Pete took the dinghy to town for supplies (via a cafe for a beer, of course) while Jack and I stayed aboard. It was a bit choppy, so the guys had interesting journeys to and from Hoopla hahahaha! Jack and I had an interesting time too, watching a couple of charter boats trying to set their anchors. Several times! They succeeded in the end! 🙂
1st Sept: Mallorca to Ibiza (!)
We have another loonng journey ahead of us today 🙁 But, no way near as long as our last one (which was only 2 days ago!) but its long enough at 14 hours! We only have a short weather window before more strong winds arrive, otherwise we would stay here for a few more days and rest. We need to be snug in Santa Eulalia Marina before the the weather changes.
My alarm was set for 5.30am and, whilst having breakfast, Rob said no to us leaving in the dark, he now wants to wait until dawn. I could have had an extra hour in bed! Hmmf!
So, at first light (6.45) Pete lifted up our anchor and I steered us out of the bay.
There wasn’t any wind, unfortunately, and a bit of a one mtr swell. It’s OK, just a little uncomfortable. The morning passed uneventfully, with Rob, Pete and I in the cockpit and Jack popping up once or twice, to join us.
We couldn’t believe it, but at 2.30, we saw a whale! We all saw it’s tail close to Hoopla as it dived. How amazing is that! Rob decided it was time to swap our Mallorca courtesy flag for the Ibiza one at 3.15. The winds have finally increased to 12 knts, which means we can switch the engine off – and we’re sailing at 6knots! It’s so lovely and peaceful. We all sat back to enjoy the sail – letting Tilly (our auto-helm) do her thang while we have a cuppa in the cockpit.
It’s now 4.30 and the winds have increased to 18kn but we’ve slowed to 4.5knts in speed. Hmm Rob reefed in the main sail but kept our Genoa sail out. The engine is back on, and now we have a speed of 5.5knts (we try to keep to a minimum speed of 5knts). We also have a yukky, choppy sea and an ETA of 8.30pm. 4 more hours to go. Sigh.
We could finally see Ibiza in the distance at 5pm. She was a faint smudge against the sky. Aww, a dolphin has popped alongside Hoopla! Just for for a minute or two, but gorgeous!
At 6.30pm, we have a wind speed of 11knts and we’re doing 5.5 knots. Our ETA is still 8.30pm and the sea has calmed down, but only a bit.
It was 8.30pm on the dot when we arrived hahaha! Rob contacted the Marina by radio and we were told that we were on pontoon G7. But we couldn’t find it! We eventually found G7 by dropping Jack off on a pontoon, so he can run and find the number (the marineros had finished for the day). Pete & I were on bow lines duty, while Rob took us in, nice and gently. Jack took our lines and Rob secured the slime lines to Hoopla without any problems. What a good crew we all are! Then the most important task of finding somewhere to eat was started!
One 14 hour journey completed! We went to a cafe that we liked last year – and they didn’t let us down! The place had two ABBA tribute lady singers – and they were very, very good!! Pete & Rob had beers, Jack a water and I had my Sangria 🙂 what an excellent end to a long, and not very nice, crossing! After a fabulous evening, we made our way back to Hoopla and fell into bed at around at 12.30am. A long day, but we are all very pleased to have made it to Ibiza. We can now relax and enjoy the next few days.
2nd to 6th Sept; Santa Eulalia Marina, Ibiza:
Well, we all had a very nice stay here in Santa Eulalia. We all slept so well! Rob & I loved showing Pete the town with all its shops, cafe’s, restaurants and the two chandleries! I think he liked it too We’re also quite close to the shower blocks, which are spotlessly clean. These are very useful as it’s so damn hot and having a cool shower is great!
Rob and Pete have been very busy while we’ve been here! First, they began fixing the pin for the keel, as it wouldn’t go all the way back in. Later, Rob fitted two more poppers for our windscoop, so it now has a better fit around Jack’s hatch. Meanwhile, Pete repaired our trolly, as its wheels keep turning in. Pete also sewed up one of our cushions. It had got torn somehow, and was shedding its stuffing everywhere. Thanks Pete! Rob also replaced a leaky valve (sea water inlet!) on our loo – and it’s all fixed now! Well done guys!
It wasn’t all work, work, work! Rob took Pete scuba diving one morning. It was such a shame, though, that the conditions weren’t brilliant. The recent winds had stirred up the sea – which had stirred up the sand – which had made the visibility a little poor. Such a shame but it does mean that Pete will have to go again next season 🙂 It’s true that swimming is much nicer in an anchorage, around Hoopla. But this didn’t stop Rob and Pete going for another swim in the sea, before finding a cafe for a beer a few times! I also went for a swim too – I even took my snorkel this time! The sea was lovely and warm, if a little cloudy still. I met Rob and Pete after in the English cafe for lunch. It was a cream tea for the boys – but chips and a piña colada for me 😀
I leave here tomorrow to visit England, to run a half marathon(!) in Kew. It has been postponed twice because of Covid, so 3rd time lucky. Its on the 11th Sept so wish me luck – I will definitely need it. Rob prepared an excellent meal for my last night. Delish! I set my alarm for 6am(!) as I have a choice of two early buses to catch tomorrow, either 7.05 or 7.20!
Oh. My. Life! My alarm didn’t go off, so I have missed my bus! AND the one after that!! I woke up at 7.15! Rob and I quickly left Hoopla (I didn’t even get time to say goodbye to Pete and Jack!) and we made our way to the taxi rank by the marina. The one taxi that was there was minus its driver(!) and there was already a family waiting for it! So Rob and I started walking quickly towards the bus station, not really knowing what to do and trying not to panic! Then we saw another taxi rank – FULL of taxis! Yay! So now I’m currently at Ibiza airport, having a breakfast of-sorts. Phew! I can now start to relax!
Later, Rob, Pete & Jack caught the bus to Ibiza Town and had a lovely afternoon exploring the area (ie: cafe to cafe to cafe) before catching the bus back. A very nice way to spend Petes last day aboard Hoopla! Its been lovely having him stay and his help was so much appreciated for our crossing from Sardinia to Mallorca! We wish him a good, safe, homeward journey.
7th to 10th Sept; Ibiza & UK:
Ibiza:
Pete managed to catch his bus to Ibiza airport without any problems (unlike me!) at 8.30am. Rob walked with him to the bus stop and they had time for a coffee before it arrived. Back on board, Rob and Jack prepared Hoopla to leave the marina.
Rob and Jack slipped their lines at just after 12.30, and made their way to Cala Llonga. This bay is just around the corner, only 40 mins away. Between the two of them, they dropped and set the anchor good, and then promptly jumped in the sea!
It was first day of Boat School on the 9th, and all went well! The afternoons were spent snorkeling around the bay! I’ve had reports of a beautiful, warm and very clear sea!
Pete made it through his front door without any delays or problems! I bet he is loving all the space and the convenience that living in a house brings!
For Rob and Jack unfortunately, as the days went on, the bay started to get more and more rolly. So by the 10th, they had both agreed to move to Santa Eulalia Bay the following morning, which is just outside the marina.
UK:
I had a good flight yesterday (6th) and I collected the hire car without any problems. Its a hybrid Fiat 500 and very nice to drive. There was quite a bit of traffic, but eventually I was knocking on Tina’s door 🙂 It is so lovely to see her again! We saw Beauty and the Beast in London, which was absolutely fantastic! It was really sad to hear that Queen Elizabeth II had died this afternoon (8th Sept).
I had a lovely couple of days at Mum and Dad’s in Hayling Island, before driving to Matt and Lizz’s place in Hook, to celebrate Matts birthday! Again, it was wonderful to see them! He had a lovely day and we also met up with his friends in Staines, for a meal. A great evening! Unfortunately, my half marathon has been cancelled. Shame! Can you feel my disappointment? The race goes through two royal parks and these are being used by people to leave flowers for The Queen. I wait to hear from the race organisers re new dates.
11th Sept: Ibiza & UK:
Ibiza:
After a not very pleasant night and a not very nice morning, both Rob & Jack pulled up the anchor and left the area at just before lunchtime, heading for Santa Eulalia Bay. They arrived and it was much, much nicer! The sea was acting a bit odd, so Rob put out a stern anchor so that they were bows-to to the swell. This made them a bit more comfy. Comfy enough for Boat School. Rob said that Jack is doing very well 🙂
UK:
I’m enjoying my stay at Matt and Lizz’s. Cousin Martin drove over from Kingston, to have a look at Matts bike. The oil leak doesn’t look very serious (good news) but it does need to be checked out in a garage. It was so kind of him to come out all this way! Later, Matt, Lizz and I went for a walk in the local woods. They are so lucky to have this on their doorstep, we all enjoyed it. Matt managed to book his bike into a garage near his works and so I am staying here for a few more days than planned, as he is now without transport. ‘Mum’s taxi’ ended up taking him here, there and everywhere! I was very happy to help, of course, and it was very good timing on his part!
12th Sept; Ibiza & UK:
Ibiza:
After a lovely afternoon and evening yesterday, Rob and Jack woke up and started Boat School after breakfast. We’re not sure if it’s the ferries or the wind direction, but they soon discovered that this bay was quite rolly. It made it quite uncomfortable in the cabin, so it wasn’t a hard decision to make to go into the marina that afternoon!
So, just after midday, Rob began lifting out the stern anchor – only to find that it had set a little too well! Rob ended up diving in, in the end, to release it. Hoopla then naturally swung sideways onto the roll – which made being onboard Hoopla even more uncomfortable. This confirmed that they had definitely made a good decision. They arrived in the marina around 2pm and Rob was told to go into the same berth as before, G7. At least, this time, they knew exactly where to go! Again, no marinero to help with the lines, but they both moored and slimed up without any problems. They were both very happy to be finally settled in a marina!
UK:
Matts car is booked in for its MOT retest this morning and he also managed to book his bike into a garage, near his works, for the 13th! Well done Matt. I followed him to the local garage and then we went onto his works. Lizz couldn’t take him as she starts work at 7am. I Met Tina for lunch in Ashford and we had a lovely afternoon, putting the world to rights! I collected Matt from his work later in the evening, and took him back home. Lizz was already home and I couldn’t have asked for a better last day and evening in the UK!
13th Sept; Ibiza & UK:
Ibiza:
Rob and Jack had a relaxing day, after the previous couple of days. Rob says it’s “bloody hot” but he still managed to do the shopping (which obviously included a cafe stop!) and to also give Hoopla a bit of a tidy up!
UK:
I followed Matt on his bike up the M3, to the garage near his works. It was booked in for today but they said they are now too busy and can’t fit it in!?! They didn’t even have the space for Matt to leave the bike with them. They’ve re-booked it for Thursday and so Matt has no choice but to continue onto work on the bike! I decided to head straight to Stansted Airport, via some services for a nice lunch. Again, absolutely no problems when returning the hire car. What a great little car it was too, and so useful!!
The flight back to Ibiza was delayed by 1.5 hrs (but I didn’t even notice as I was reading a good book hahaaha,thanks Lizz!) and I took a taxi to Santa Eulalia Marina, where I met Rob. I was finally on board at midnight! Hot chocolates all round before turning in!
Apologies for the recent lack of photos – both Rob and I have had a busy couple of days!
There was not enough time for me to see everyone I wanted to in the UK, but I had a wonderful few days. Rob and Jack had a good time too, snorkeling for hours over the posidonia and rocks after Boat School. It’s lovely to be home, though, and the journeys there and back went like clockwork. No rest for the wicked, though, as we are leaving tomorrow! Only a 5 hour journey! Our next stop: Formentera!