After being marina bound for 5 months we finally cast off the lines and headed for the Balearic Islands. Grandma Caroline helped crew for the overnight crossing from Barcelona before heading back to the states.
Jeff and Carrie from LA met us for a few days on the Island of Mallorca. We anchored in the wide comfortable Puerto Ponsa bay for some swimming and a BBQ. The next day we sailed up the coast to Puerto Andraitx where RC had his first dinghy ride on the way to dinner ashore.
After spending two weeks in Ponsa Bay we set
off for Isla Formentara where we took shelter for a short gale as well met some
of the boats from Barcelona. For the next two weeks we bounced down the Costa
del Sol & Blanca stopping at various ports and anchorages but moving fairly
fast so we could arrive in Gib by the 24th.
Gibraltar aka 'The Rock' lies ahead with heavy ship traffic and wind gusts up to 30 knots.
The school of dolphins at the bow led the way past the rock. An amazing Indian
cuisine feast our first night here was a
good omen.
RC is doing well and growing every day. He has lost much of his newborn baby hair, so we keep looking for new sprouts to determine what the real color will be. Lately he's discovered that that thing with five fingers is his and he can control it, within limits of course.
Itinerary
July 24th through late August we'll be here in Gibraltar having some boat work done and doing a little land sight seeing on the Rock and by car into Portugal.
End of August we'll be making the passage south to the Canary Islands. Rob's dad Bob will be joining us as it will take 5 to 6 days to cover the 750 miles. There is an international airport in Gib if anyone wants to come along for the ride and see the Canaries on the other end.
September through November we'll be based in Spain's Canary Islands in the Atlantic about 70 miles off of the coast of Morroco. The 7 islands that make up the group have an incredibly wide variety of features from a 12 thousand foot high volcanic cone to deserts and nature biosphere reserve. The climate is mild averaging about 82 degrees. There are flights to the main island of Tenerife from Spain and other European cities and we have a spare stateroom if anyone wants to visit.
Late November to early December is our target date for crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean. Christine and RC will probably fly ahead to the states with Rob joining them after getting the boat into marina somewhere in the Islands. We need another 1 or 2 additional crew for the crossing if anyone is interested.