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
Timeline
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
Sailing to Culatra – the Island of Sand
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....
Rio Guadiana – Should We Stay?
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.
Rio Guadiana – A Welcome Return
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
Everything’s Fino in Puerto Sherry
Ready to continue on west, but first we have to get past the "dragons"!
Leaving the Med – Here Be Dragons
Why do we travel? One reason 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 very welcome. And for the wandering Brit in the Med, Gibraltar provides a little taste of home from home.
Sailing to Gibraltar: A Taste of 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
Leaving The Med – It Won’t Let Us Go
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 had some great moments - encounters with local legends, live music, old friends and a chance meeting with a sister boat.
Time to Leave the Med
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.
Sailing Magical Menorca
We'd left the west coast of Mallorca to visit the large bay of Pollenca, known for being an all weather anchorage. The all round shelter was very appealing. 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 have some fun exploring the area and restock the stores.
Playtime in Pollença Bay
A weather window gave us a chance to move on from Soller and visit two stunning calas on west Mallorca's coast - Cala Tuent and Cala Sa Calobra, famed for the stunning Torrent de Pareis - a river that has cut a narrow passage between two tall cliffs.
After two great days we continued north, with winds that couldn't decide what they wanted to do.