Costa del sail

22/06/2023

It’s been a while since I posted. We are back in the Balearics again. It’s been busy getting ready for summer. we have a few visitors coming to stay this summer and I’m hoping to spear some fish.

06/04/2023

It’s Mallorca time ⛵️☀️🎉🥂🏝️

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07/08/2022

Awesome two days anchoring at Cala Varques on the east coast of Mallorca.
…it’s my most challenging video so far… unfortunately the audio and video got out of sync, but as you can see we had a lot of fun

29/07/2022

Andratx to Porto Colom.
Friday, the 22nd of July: we arrived at the marina in Andrex late on Friday night. We were going to leave early and head to Santa Ponça to anchor. However we found a nice restaurant and a swimming pool at the marina so we decided to make the most of it and head to centre Ponça later that afternoon. The next day Sunday we set off very short distance to An anchorage called Cala Malgrats just outside of Ponça. Laura and Max got the Lilos out and Bobed around in the bay. Paul and Austin went off in the dinghy to explore the islands. Early afternoon we set off to cross the bay of Parma to Arenal marina where we would stay for two nights. On Tuesday we set off from Arenal to the island of Cabrera. The journey started out very calm but soon as we rounded a headland into the wind, the waves grew to about 1.2 m and the wind was gusting up to 27 kn. Annoyingly the wind and waves were pretty much on our nose, So we decided to put some big tacks and motor sail across the Cabrera. What should’ve taken 2 1/2 hours took the best part of six hours. Because we were sailing close to the wind and trying to make the most use of the wind we were well-heeled over all of the crossing from the mainland to the island, about 2 1/2 hours. Once we arrive to Cabrera we were very pleased that we made the crossing. For the Mediterranean I expect Cabrera is quite a unique place. The usual fish that you see were all there however they were for five time the size, and because it’s a nature reserve they practically followed you around. In the evening everyone goes to the one and only snack bar on the island until it closes at 10 pm and then it’s a dinghy ride back to your boat and time to enjoy the night sky. The amount of stars you can see is awesome. Even the Milky Way is visible with the naked eye! Unfortunately there were a few purple jellyfish! However diving with a buddy you can point them out to each other and avoid an unfortunate collision. On Thursday we left Cabrera and headed to an anchorage next to Es Trenc. And we paid a couple of visits to one of our favourite hotels, El Coto. Today is Friday and it’s our last night, tomorrow we will set off for Porto Colom, Where we will leave Robelle until the next weekend.

14/07/2022

Sunday 10th July. We spent the rest of the day and night at anchor in Camp de Mar. After lunch at the restaurant on the little island we went back to Robelle to lay around in the sun, drink a few beers and cool off occasionally in the sea, which was clear and warm. We chilled until the sun went down and then we made our way back to shore to find a bar. Of course, we sat ourselves next to a stag party of Kiwis, Aussies and Americans, so that livened things up! Especially as they had been on it for a while 🤪. When it was too late for food we decided it was time to eat 😅… as you do 🙄. So we went back to Robelle and raided the fridge. Judging by the cockpit in the morning we ate well 😆. We had a good night at anchor. In the morning we went ashore looking for a good breakfast, unfortunately Camp de Mar is not a breakfast place and we ended up getting an early lunch at a restaurant by the beach, which was a bit disappointing compared to how well we had eaten since arriving. I guess you can’t win them all 😏.
Any how! We set off for Andratx all of 4.8 miles away. The wind was on our nose so we motored all the way. Made a good landing in Andratx considering it was the crew (Steve’s) first attempt at a marina landing. We did very little for a few hours other than social media with beer in the sun. But, as is the way on arrival, paperwork is required. So off we went for paperwork pain… As well as restocking the wine cellar for the next weekend 😜… which is another necessary evil when you have to carry it all back from the supermarket… defo a first world problem! 😅. We explored a bit looking at menus for our last meal in the sun. I had a place that did good nachos, but I wanted to look around. We found a place called Tim’s and gave it a try. What a find! The food was very good 🤤. Soon after that it was time to put Robelle to bed and head for home, parenting responsibilities and work! An unfortunate fire in the air traffic control tower at Liverpool (I’ve heard all the excuses now 🙄😝) gave us a half hour delay and we landed home at 3:30 am and I was up for 7am for work 😬.
All in all it was a successful and fun trip. Well done Steve and good luck buying your own yacht, I’m sure Janet and the girls will love it 👍

10/07/2022

Saturday 9th July. Around midday we were dighying back from breakfast to the boat and saying that we’re probably not going to get the sails up because there is zero wind.
I tied the dinghy to the back of the boat with a clove hitch and we dropped the lines on the mooring boy decided to perhaps there was just enough wind so we hoisted the sails. As we move towards the channel between Dragonera and Saint Elm the wind came funnelling through. It was a solid 20Kts and unexpected. However it was quite calm and it was fun to see how Robelle handled in a stiff wind with full sails. Taking through the wind we learned that if you don’t go fast enough and the boat heels over too much then you loose steering because the heel of the boat turns the rudder into more of the flap on aeroplanes wing and you’re stuck! We finished playing and set the sails and a course to head towards Camp de Mar with 15kts of apparent wind and we were cruising along at 6 kn. All was good and we started to relax. Then Steve said look at that dinghy over there I don’t think there’s anybody on it? To which I replied f**k! That’s our dinghy 😂. What followed could’ve been described two ways, one would be amateur hour and the other would be educating yourselves on how difficult it would be to pick up a man overboard with full sails up and 20Kts wind 💨 🤪. After several failed attempts we drop the sails picked up the dinghy tied it on with a more appropriate knot than a clove hitch! put two reefs in the main! And had a very pleasant Sail to Camp de Mar. We circled the anchorage for a bit looking for a good patch of sand and Steve did a great job of Anchoring. We had a swim to check the anchor and went ashore for a late lunch.

08/07/2022

Friday 8th July, We arrived in Saint Elm at 1:30 pm the total journey time was 17 hours and the distance was 104 nautical miles. Last night we had the sea against the starboard quarter and the wind off our beam. Maximum wind was about 20 kn but it didn’t last long and it was mostly around 16 to 17 kn. When the wind got up we put the second reef in before we started settling down and we wound the Genoa in. We decided on a strategy of 1 1/2 hour sleeps from midnight so that would give us each two watches. However that went out the window because Steve didn’t think he could get to sleep with the rolling that we were getting from the wind and wave direction. It was quite Rolly so I took advantage of Steve’s extended watch and had lots of small sleeps set an alarm for every 30 minutes. When the Sun started to come up at 6 am Steve managed to get some sleep on and off for about six hours so not the strategy we anticipated but it seems to have worked okay.
We arrived in Sant Elm and got a bouy only to be told that the Marinero does not take cards, there is no cash machine in town and Spanish will not do cash back 🙄. So we need to get a taxi to the next town where there is a cash machine… Dios Mio as they say in Spain. Still, we should be back by 5 and the sea is crystal clear and warm. Looking forward to some snorkelling and checking the boat out underwater 😅.

07/07/2022

Thursday 7th July, So! Here we are again! You know what that say - ‘‘tis the season to be jolly!… 🤔 well, that may be true but I think Suns out, funs out is more appropriate ☀️⛵️🎉🥂🏝.
Today me and a new crew member Steve are setting off for Ginesta to move Robelle to Mallorca for the summer. Steve is a dingy sailor so I’m expecting some fast tacking and getting Robelle over on her ears 🌬⛵️☀️
We planed is to set off Thursday evening and head for Soller, however, the tramontana is blowing so we changed our plans to head slightly south to arrive at Sant Elm and pick up a bouy.
This summers plan is to do a lap of Mallorca, we have weekends and weeks with the boys and weeks and weekends on our own(me and Laura Michelle).
We set off at 8:30 after a very hard days work. At one point we had four people working on the boat and it looks like a building site. The hard work paid off just, and we managed to get on the way before dark. It’s 10 o’clock now we’ve made about 7 miles the wind is blowing at about 12 kn 60° to starboard. We’ve got one reef in the main the sea is about 50 cm and we’re expecting the wind and waves to pick up at midnight but it will be a following sea and following wind so if all goes to plan will arrive in Sant Elm sooner than expected. If you want to follow us you can follow us here

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18/04/2022

Saturday 16th April, 10pm, 41° 15’.477N 001° 55’.395E. It was a nice sunny day with the wind mainly useable and from 30-120° port, mainly light between 6 and 12kts. There was an hour or so of stronger wind off the land around Reus and a couple of hours of wind swinging round to my nose that made the Genoa flap. Largely uneventful. I heard from a friend that there were some strong winds around Port Ginesta but by the time I arrived at 10pm they had dropped and I had a smooth landing. My friend Mally was there to welcome me back with a large G&T and a Diavola pizza 😋… the thought of that pizza kept me focused throughout the day on getting into Ginesta before the restaurant closed. In total the journey was 36 hours and 240nm. The sleep strategy worked well and I was even able to go out for a few glasses of wine Saturday night and not nod off at the table, which those who know me would tell you I have done occasionally 🥱 after a normal amount of sleep. I did however sleep very well that night.

16/04/2022

Saturday 16th April, 10am, 40°04’.999N 001°08’.900E. 10-14kts of wind at 40° port all night. Lovely and sunny morning, sea like glass. Last night went to plan I set my course and sails at 8pm and didn’t touch them all night. Started my 20 minute sleeps at 10pm and went through to 7:30am. It was a like the never ending snooze button. I was a bit worried that I would incorporate the alarm into a dream and sleep through it 😬. Or that I would forget to reset the timer. Fortunately none of those happened but I did wake up a few times before the alarm to check it was set 😆. As soon as the alarm went off I’d wake instantly, reset the alarm and scan the horizon for boats then cover back up and close my eyes.
I’m crossing about 35nm out to sea to take the straight line, use the wind and avoid fishing boats, nets and farms. So I was expecting a quiet night… which didn’t happen. There were ships and ferry’s out there and I was not happy to sleep until I was sure we would pass safely, so my sleep window was missed a few times. I stayed on deck all night sleeping in the cockpit so that I could react fast if needed. Around 9am I had a dolphin visit. They didn’t stay this time and they were jumping out of the water. Just after 10am the useable breeze swung round to my nose and now I’m just on engine, and as I’m too far from shore for a mobile signal I can’t check the weather to see what’s predicted this afternoon. I’ll just have to take it as it comes.

16/04/2022

Hi All, Just checking in. We have no mobile coverage, everything is OK. Find us here: https://share.garmin.com/Robelle Please do not reply to this message.

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15/04/2022

Friday 15th April. I’m on my own for this last leg of the journey. I arrived back at Santa Pola marina at 21:30 and went for a walk about and had a couple of beers. I couldn’t do a “crack of sparrows” departure as I needed to shop and pay the marina. Got underway at 10:30 and was expecting 1.3m waves on my nose and light to no wind until Benidorm around 30nm away. What I actually had was a flat calm sea and no wind, not ideal for sailing but at least I didn’t have the constant slamming of the bow going over the waves… well that lasted all of an hour and the forecast exceeded expectations 🤢. 1.3m and no wind became 2m+ and 20kts. Which knocked my speed down to 4-5 Kts 😣. So I decided to turn 40° to port and use the wind, plus try closer to shore hoping the headlands would offer some reduction in wave height… it’s now 19:30 and it’s been a scrappy day. The wind hardly stayed consistent for 20 minutes. I’ve been tacking like mad to try to keep the wind in the sails and improve my average, which is an all time low of 5.6kts 😤. The sun is setting and in the last half hour the wind and waves have fallen off a cliff. It’s now a very pleasant evening and right now I’m planning to push on through the night. I’m going to tack now and hope to not alter my heading until I arrive in Ginesta… let’s see 🤞

11/04/2022

Sunday 10th April 12:00 38°11’.371N 0°33’.786W. Arrived in Club Nautico Santa Pola (Alicanti) where we will leave Robelle for a few days and return home. The journey from Adra was lovely ☀️⛵️🍷, the sea flattened more than expected and the wind dropped more than expected… all we had left to do was relax and enjoy the day, so as soon as the sun was over the yard arm we opened the bar, cooked an amazing paella 🥘 and sunbathed until the sun set.
Around 10am I saw a brown figure swimming just below the surface following us. I watched it for a while waiting to see what it was but it didn’t come up for air 🤔. It was to dark to be a dolphin and was not behaving like one. 20 minutes later I saw it again and thought it has to be a dolphin 🐬 and called Laura to come see it. Then we spotted more, all the same size as a dolphin and then one went along side and a saw a row of golden yellow jagged spines along its back and realised we were being followed by a school of large yellow fin tuna. They stayed with us for more than an hour seeming to enjoy the prop wash. We took a lot of photos and videos but not one of them shows the tuna 😤. The best video shows some fast moving shadows if you look hard enough. We motored on through the night doing 2.5h shifts and the night went without any problems 👍. The journey was 175Nm and 28 hours at sea. Well done Laura on your first night sail ⛵️ 🌔.
The next part of the journey back to Port Ginesta will be over the next weekend. I’m looking for experienced crew, if your interested PM me 👍.

09/04/2022

Saturday 9th April. 09:00. 36°44’.000N 003°00800W. Yesterday started off fine, but by early afternoon things took a turn from the forecast 😬. The waves went from 0.7m forecast to 1.5 - 2 and the wind went from the max gust of 25k to 30+. At first it was ok, we were flying along at 9+ Kts , and I was thinking about how we were going to get ahead of the plan 👍. The conditions were frisky let’s say, but nothing to be alarmed about. However, after an hour things started to get uncomfortable and we put the first reef in the sail (made the sails smaller). In hindsight it should have been the second reef because things turned from frisky to gnarly. I saw 12kts boat speed as we surfed down a huge wave but due to the strong wind and big sea turning to face it to put the next reef in was a less attractive option to sitting it out… probably not the right response to the situation? The swell on our stern was relentless and we decided to make for a marina for the night to get some sleep. We held off cooking, hoping the conditions would settle and we could cook something nice 😋… unfortunately all we could do was put an unidentifiable meat cannelloni in the oven and hold tight while we ate it 🌬🌊. We got in to Adra around 23:00, there were no marineros around so we just found a spot and moored up. Our 8am start was scuppered by a marinero wanting papers and payment. We set off at 9am and are expecting 24° and sunny all day with light wind off our beam and a sea decreasing from 0.7m to 0.4m… that would be nice , we will let you know how that goes 😆😬

08/04/2022

Friday 8th April. 09:00. Crew: Laura and Paul. Wind expected throughout the day should be 10 - 25kts at 120° and the sea should be 0.3-0.7m at 180°… so we are expecting to make good progress once the wind gets up.
Follow our progress here -
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We left Puerto Banus on our journey back to Port Ginesta where we will stay for 3 month to catch up with our friends there, make some improvements to Robelle… adding another solar panel to give us 300w, finish fitting the heating and finish fitting the radar. Although by the time the heating is finished it will be time for air conditioning lol. After the 3 months we will summer in the Balearics again and visiting our favorite places
The six month in Puerto Banus flew by, I think the funniest moment was when I figured out the secret behind all the guys my age and their 20 year old chicks in the bars, which we entered from the (front) marina side. If you go one road back there is a “club” and back entrances to the bars… so, go to the “club” get a take away and you look like you must be something special 😆🕺.
It was great catching up with our friends in the south. We had a great time and hope to see you all again after the summer 🛬⛵️🎉🤪☀️.