If we wanted to spend a winter at anchor, it was essential to replace our anchor chain. After 11 seasons of use, the old chain was noticeably deteriorating. This blog looks at our choices and the swapping over process

Having left the Rio Guadiana, but still undecided as to where to spend the winter, we waited at Culatra for west winds to settle. There we could enjoy the uniqueness of the sand island, its tractors and its amazing nature

We spent a few weeks enjoying the Rio Guadiana, revisiting old haunts and making new friends. But time was ticking on and we still had to get to the boatyard….

We first visited the Rio Guadiana on our way east into the Med, back in 2014. It quickly found a place in our hearts and we vowed to return on our way back west. That time was now upon us.

It was a few days of reality beating expectation. A 50nm passage from Bolonia to Puerto Sherry / Bay of Cadiz followed by exploring the delightful town of El Puerto de Santa Maria

Ready to continue on west, but first we have to get past the “dragons”!

One reason to travel is to experience and enjoy different cultures of which, food plays a large part. Sailing around the Mediterranean has amply fulfilled this desire, however, an occasional reminder of home is welcome. For the wandering Brit, Gibraltar provides a little taste of home from home.

Leaving the Med was not as easy as it originally looked on paper. With fickle forecasts, we bit off chunks as best we could

Time had caught us unawares and it was time to make plans to head south and west. With a distance of 550nm to Gibraltar, we were keen to break the journey into small legs. For that we needed the cooperation of the weather. Did it play ball?

We spent almost two weeks in Menorca, visiting a variety of anchorages. Softer than it’s big sister, but no less beautiful – the jagged coastline softened by idyllic sandy beaches and calas.

We’d left the west coast of Mallorca to visit the large bay of Pollenca, an all weather anchorage. Being on constant alert for changes in the weather can be exhausting! It was a safe place to catch up with some boat jobs, to explore the area and restock.

A weather window provided opportunity to leave Soller and visit two stunning calas on west Mallorca. Cala Tuent and Cala Sa Calobra, famed for the majestic Torrent de Pareis, a river cut passage between two tall cliffs. After two great days we continued north, with fickle winds.

Third time lucky! We took a chance to visit the anchorage of Soller on Mallorca’s west coast, having been thwarted twice before. It’s a beautiful horseshoe bay, surrounded by the towering mountains of the Tramuntana mountain range.

A wind free day had us motoring from Santa Ponca to Cala Deia on Mallorca’s west coast. It was a beautiful day for enjoying the scenery. The cala is very pretty, backed by the Tramuntana mountains. And amazingly, we had the place all to ourselves overnight!

Whilst sailing from Ibiza to Mallorca, the wind died and we had to motor. Just after switching on, the engine stuttered and died. Diesel bug had blocked one half of our fuel system. Read on for how we dealt with this.