Palma Mallorca
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The island of de la Caleta off Las Illetas looks very much like the place we could stay for the rest of our lives. We anchor in 4 meters of turquoise water, and sand of course, and stay four days. We become locals and get invited home to dinner by Wolheim and Jo a Swiss - New Zealand marriage.They were swimming around the boat and one gets talking. Wolheim circumnavigated the world in a 75 footer, and Jo joined as crew in Sydney and married the owner. They now live in Palma with three children. They enjoy our yacht, moored off their local beach, and we enjoyed an excellent NZ lamb meal.We also catch up with Grant Calton, a friend of Caroline and Rachel Grant’s, and had diner at the must be seen in Puerto, ‘Portels Flanagans’. You can�t imagine this port - it is a must to visit. A marina full of super yachts, cruisers, restaurants, shops and bars. Day and night full of pretty people. Our boat would look pretty small here, and we don’t dare ask the fees.We also have in our bay a newly opened nightclub in a natural cave full of laser beams called ‘Virtual’. As we dined on as excellent meal, we watched the boat at anchor and then night clubbed the night away (still life in the old boy).The days are spent swimming , snorkelling Puerto, with Portels for lunch, and explore the islands by dinghy. We are now berthed in the King’s berth, right next to the Real Club Nautical (must have known we were coming).
Far too close to the bar, but fantastic Club, swimming pool, gym, etc etc. We are also only 200 metres from the old town and Cathedral.
Ian goes missing now and then, only to found at the rubbish dump. Super boats in there 100’s and super rubbish to be found, so glad we have only so much room. The hardest part is I have to look pleased with every find.
Home away from home, yacht, club, bar and of course the bar flies. It doesn’t take long for word to get around, and suddenly we are surrounded by Aussies who work here. ‘Gooch’ Peter Tabone, and Jim Bell both sailed with us on Starlight Express, and Jackie and Paul Hunt (Hunty).
Thanks to Sail-World, the yachting email newsletter which Di Pearson is the editor of, and publishes the ‘Treleavens Travels’, Jim Bell was able to track us down.
Peter is master on a 100 footer, married with wife expecting a baby. Jim owns a successful canvas business with his wife and 2 children. What a life all these guys have had starting out working on boats and now living here.
They made a snuffer for our spinnaker, designed by Vinnie, with super yachts in mind. The snuffer could take 50 knots and the spinnaker only 30 knots.
Spike told the tail of his 20-year Line 7 old PVC jacket. Many years ago he suddenly had to leave his dinner and sail out of port quickly. Not wanting to miss out on dinner, he put it all in his waterproof PVC pocket and ate it at sea.
Today we are out of the water to be anti fouled and to fit the 3 bladed feathering prop we brought from Sydney.
Tomorrow night we are back out in Palma Bay.