The Balearics – Summer 2013

The beginning of 2013 was not a good start for Seaclusion, having had a major issue with her teak decks that required them to be removed and replaced. Getting jobs like this, even under warrantee with a French company, in Spain was always going to be an uphill task… however despite it taking 4 months we did get to enjoy her once again in early July.

So off we sailed in to the fabulous sunsets of the Balearics, taking each island by turn, encountering good weather and bad, even adorning our wet weather gear in August on one occasion. We met a number of interesting people along the way including one  couple, a Englishman and French lady also called David & Chantal, believe it or not!

We also learnt that no matter what is said on the tin, airfloor dinghies are really not designed to be towed, having flipped it rendering it a stern anchor! Whilst we did manage to save it a little worse for wear, we didnt tow it again! It is now up for sale, with us opting for a RIB instead.

Here’s a few pictures of the trip.

Chilling in the smallest bays we can find in Ibiza, surrounded by fisherman huts and often drunken singing, if you can call it that, by Spanish fishermen.

 Andraix & Port Soller in Mallorca, beautiful although you wouldn’t believe the island is Spanish, we heard  more German than anything else. Rumour has it the Germans tried to buy the island a few years back.. to no avail, there is no way the Spanish would sell such a gem of a place!

Cuidadella in Menorca, where they speak menorquian, nothing like the Spanish I know! We had met up with some friends beforehand, on the north of Mallorca, who had hired a 45ft Beneteau, so we made the crossing and continued round the south side of Menorca in convoy, with a  little bit of racing, and dining out and all the conviviality that goes with it!

Having left our friends on the SE tip of Menorca, we found the cheapest mooring in the Balearics, funnily enough in Mahon, where we sheltered from some bad weather and again met some interesting people, one of whom owned an X-Yacht called Xpletive!  The owner kindly leant us a paddle board to try.. ooh what a hoot!.

Final stop in Menorca was at Fornells, a beautiful huge natural harbour.

Thereafter we started to head southwards.. mooring in a bay alongside Cuidadella, tying the stern to the rocks, then back to Soller in Mallorca and then we finally ventured into Ibiza town. We had avoided it in July as the rates for 280€ per night plus rates and electricity…. who pays that! In September they were back to normal! The old town is a must for architecture and people watching.

Overall a wonderful trip, the Balearics are beautiful, well worth it, with so many diversities between secluded and lively, decadence & normality!

We will be back!