Not a happy month!

I’m presently in an anchorage off west Sicily, favignana.

Have been here two days waiting for winds to drop from 30kts in wrong direction! Only another 80 miles to Licata my winter berth. Nice bay , still quite busy because there’s some sort of 3 day island religious festival. I haven’t been ashore which is pretty slack!

The passage from Vilasimius in Sardinia took 4 days ! With head winds and big swell which is the Tyrrhenian sea norm. I’m on a dead line for ferry to UK and couldn’t risk the winds switching favourably or not, more to the point. Hence I set off . Multiple tacks . Double the sea miles length to the actual track and bugger me when for the last hundred miles I turned on the engine . Went below for a snooze and was woken by engine and auto helm alarm! Panic stations at 23.30 . 20 miles from Sicily and wind against. I couldn’t have slept long because I only drifted about 1/2 mile with foresail up. For the second time in my oddessy; night time fuel problem which I sorted pretty well with out having to remove tank hatch . Fixed it, on my way and got to anchorage at 05.30. Tiny, crowded with 8 boats nose to tail. Big ferries started early and as I couldn’t sleep moved to this anchorage. Leaving tomorrow. Fun and games.

Going back . My sail arrived eventually in Cagliari . Major complaint going in to DHL. What a diabolical cock up. I had to get an agent in the end to receive a parcel!! I knew there would be a duty to pay but they had no idea what they were doing and this was one of their messages two days after they notified me of its arrival at my marina.

Dear customer,

is it definitive import for private persone?
In this case we need Your italian fiscal code or some italian fiscal code with the foto of this fiscal code and the written authorization for using this fiscal code.
Our customer service 199 199 345.
Best regards,

DHL.

This was just one of their instructions. It does fit and work but I need to sort out a furler properly.

What else, oh yes . Fridge has packed up again . Don’t think it likes Italy!went here last time. I might have it sorted after new pump , yet to be ordered .

I just want to get to my marina now and start stuff and prepare for big bike ride to UK. That will be in next edition😁

However in the meantime more action has occurred. Left the island this morning at 05.30 and crossed to mainland Sicily after passing first potential refuge point (Masala) a massive , massive thunder storm started where I had been . Crossed fingers and headed on at slow speed. Then it started. I spotted a sea tornado, normal referred to as a water spout . In fact five or six over the period. They have a nasty propensity to appear suddenly but dissipate just as fast one of the close pictures was the scariest as it just kept coming towards me and boat. 

It then changed direction and hit land near where I was going to take refuge on anchor. There was a boat there but started to leave as I headed in. I worked on the basis of what does he know that I don’t 🤨?  At one point I decided to U turn and race at boats top speed which is 6 kts on a good Beaufort day back to Masala . Coming towards me was a full developed water spout. A concentrated  tornado over water forming a white chimney of moisture . This is getting bad to worse I thought I got away Scott free he (other boat) got Welsh done. ( he’s aleek) really sound bloke. The vid shows most of it; unfortunately we are not in the footage. Petrosena is the one of relevance and I can categorically say that Petrosena was hit by one off the sea coming from the east not Marsala to the west, that’s AI shit for you.

https://youtu.be/SlZOwBmoiZ0?is=QQ7zLbbG1vJiiIPb

 I was also getting engine probs again. Same issue, but he offered a tow for last 20 miles. After I had tinkered all was well but for how long? Answer; till

We arrived at marina. Really impressive act by him, and my gratitude earned him two beers and a packet of crisps😬. So still haven’t arrived at final destination but weather tomorrow no good and it’s only  about 45 miles . What could possibly go wrong next🤔

I love Sicily 😬

On route to my winter destination.

Cagliari.

I stayed too long on Majorca. Partly to investigate a blind date option . Unsuccessful, obs.🙄


and secondly to mooch around a bit more. Had a look in to Magaluf , which was as expected. Santa Ponca where I anchored in a nice bay was a hell hole of Brit tatted troggs , Irish and 8 Irish pubs! Why do we have to have Irish pubs with their brown wood , green walls and copies of their crappy Irish constitution in frames on the wall .What am I doing in there you ask . Hunting for a Sunday roast!
There was typically a fiesta while I was here. A firework,satanic, devil, goat worship thing. Spanish H&S being what it is we could dance around under these fireworks . Shirt didn’t look too good after but it was fun.

https://youtube.com/shorts/usOgQzYO8EQ?is=ifMj8_slkrZwl8My

Have to say. The East end of the island is lovely on the coast. Some amazing beaches and scenery.


Sicily is my winter target this year. Licata on the south coast . I’ve been there before and love Sicily which also has the advantage of being close to Malta for a trip there.
The following is an edited version of what happened on the way I posted to a sailing WhatsApp group I’m in.
——
Well big winds projected which would have worked well for mid passage between Majorca and at least E Sardinia but 130miles from Sardinia thunder storm built from the west behind me. We’ve all seen big but I’ve never been that close to vertical bolts hitting the sea. By sound it was 5 miles aft but moving towards me . It never went right over head. ( I did put on flip flops rubber swimming hat and rubber gloves). I also for the third time since leaving UK made my life raft easily available. More relevant I put money, passports, Nuts, fruit, water,knife, VHF, flares and spare shirt in to dry bag and wet bag never done that before- or worn rubber!)though I am contemplating marketing an orange full rubber gimp suit for storm wary sailors minus the mouth gag! When I arrived on anchor post trauma, the Guardia finanzia arrived to check me out having arrived this morning at 2 am -Friday . I left Porto colombe Majorca Tuesday! So winds according to them were 40 kts offshore. Sea was 3-4 m. . During main storm I couldn’t read winds . Boat broached on numerous occasions, main was reefed but crash gibbed once or twice, boom was dragging in water and no way to bring in Genoa trying to control every thing.
That exploded, main damaged but very useable. First storm passed but within a couple of hours of high winds another one visited it was like a sustained machine gun of flashes in the clouds over head never seen that! I was below , motoring, reefed main and auto helm , about 2 1/2 hours of that. Storm passed winds useable then motor sailed rest of journey in sustained 3m rollers very slowly . All got calmer relatively around 10 last night -Thursday. 22 kt wind was child’s play did throw up, not badly , from being rolled and pitched but that’s normal for me. That’s it. If there’s any lesson to be had. If rain squall or thunder storm is coming towards you, reef heavily ( which I did)or sail on the rigging . Drift ! I forgot that at some time torrential rain fell . Main hatch way was open and everything got wet in side , couldn’t leave the helm. Interestingly during the rain which was horizontal and gusting I was in T shirt and shorts so not cold but I kept getting blasts of warm air! Don’t know why but assume it was something to do with down draughts from the energised clouds.
————

Electric storm PPE taken after the event!


That adventure over I needed to assess damage and replace or repair sails; replace as it happens. I’m now anchored outside of Cagliari waiting for DHL to deliver the sail to marina where I removed old sail. I just hope it fits, being a second hand one.
I wish I could have got some footage of the action but it wasn’t high on my list of priorities 😵‍💫.
When/if it fits I’ll move down the coast to catch winds to Sicily which should be a 2 1/2 day passage.

Another long absence!

Hello readers.

Since Alicante last, there have been a few interesting shore activities. Not loads of sailing but after previous visit to Ibiza , I had to head back to Torrevieja as the price was right and the marina know me. Plus they had a space to leave the boat for a week or so. Others would not take reservations and were charging 130€\ night 🫪. I used that trip to log 24 hrs off shore out of Schengen waters. The requirement to avoid tax liability on boat, post Brexshit. 

Italy trip was next and the amazing wedding of Hannah and Henry ,Nicks second daughter and second one sold off in two years.  

What an auspicious event, planned to the n’th ° and refreshingly genuine.Venue was the grand fathers house atop a hill in Stresa on lake Maggiore. Party night before, lake side pool and bar.

 

That afternoon. Nick had planned a romantic Riva ride with Juliet.

 Exactly what those boats were designed for. I obviously put the clappers on that as Hugo(son) and I came along to to quaff their champagne. Funny,later on, the nuptial couple turned up on the same boat after pictures on the near island. Lots of pictures whole weekend!! 3 camera people , two drones ,DJ ,opera singer, saxophonist, band from UK. Nik naks on tables free bar and a great group of friends from the couple.

I may have disgraced my self but too embarrassing to elaborate. Was dropped at my hotel about 4 not before annoying the taxi driver, don’t remember why, probably a bit sensitive and made it into my hotel about 8. Then flight back to Alicante on Monday for me.

Next event was the total eclipse.Rob F had arranged to meet a group of sun chasers

( they’re off to Egypt for the big one next year)

I was the charter boat - paid! I took them round the corner to quiet anchorage, then out to sea for the main event. That really was impressive.

3 felt a bit sea sick bobbing about so had to motor a little bit , but it really was quite special and nice that the group were so excited about it.

No reason to stay on Ibiza now. It is a bit pricey but there is a very unique feeling to the place. Motor sailed to Majorca and found a good little anchorage in Palma bay.

Kraut next door to me thought I was a bit close. It would have been in a toilet cubicle but in deference to international relations I moved.

Just as well because at 5 am he dragged his anchor and came steaming past me before being dashed on the rocks🫢🫣. My trusty CQR held in the sand while I counted 7 boats floating around and holding station mid bay . Due to anchor slip or dangerous proximity.

I paddled ashore this morning and am staying here till Sunday. I found a reasonably shit  English restaurant that , according to the soused old prune imbibing her 3rd (?) beer at 10 am claimed has the best Sunday roast, I’m well over due for that treat.

That brings us up to date. Bobbing around now in the second tranch of wind. At least it’s daylight.

No signal bay Ibiza 😁

Just living on the sea.

My LOYAL readers have asked where my blog has gone. Truth is unless anything’s happening its like reading someone’s Christmas card round robin insert. As I know a few of you like such toss I’ll comply.

This is actually a very famous beach music venue which only last year closed the music down as instructed by local junta as with 60 other venues . This has destroyed the ethos and ambiance of these places for no apparent good reason , very sad it was the essence of Ibiza, not the sweaty bare chested tattooed E heads from up north in the mega clubs 

After Agua’ I needed to be back in Alicante for an annoyingly simple medical test and to meet someone. Winds precluded any passage even vaguely in the right direction so decided to hug the coast and make wey when possible. The first 24 hrs I made about 90 sea miles the journey by crow was about 45! Mostly under sail but making multiple tacks at night between shipping lanes and land - proper. 

The Last 5 hrs I motored , arriving at Garrucha famous for gypsum and red prawns both of which I sampled ; prawns on a dish, gypsom dust all over the boat.

Unlike most of these prawns they’re wild and fresh daily as the trench where they live is close enough off shore for the boats to leave and return in a day.

Usual activities resumed in Alicante but the start of firework festival is nigh. I wasn’t there for it but big processions and late fireworks every night for a week🫪

I sailed up the coast with John then met up with Matt the conspiracy theorist. Everything is tainted by them and the master plan- it gets very tedious! But he’s a sound bloke and lost his partner about 8 months ago. Strange Dom lost his about 8 weeks ago! Dom turned up in Ibiza and again a fun night was had with him and a group of his daughters friends who were lovely at Pikes nightclub in San Antonio.

Interesting because Wham recorded a famous vid there and the owner got intimate with Freddy Mercury at his 41st party held here. Pike was a prolific shagger but obviously visited the dark side every now and again and at some point caught HIV though not aids. Could it be that Fred caught the lurgy off this bloke . Who knows ; they’re both dead now.

Ibiza bay life is still fun. Great little island.

Manta rays and many dolphins spotted 7 miles along the coast . The rays are very rare for these parts!

My dinghy gave up the ghost. One of Doms friends capsized it the other day. Not her fault but engine upside down in water for second time meant we had to drain and change fuel. Working very well now. Then Dom and I were in it whilst it was deflating almost folding us in side. On inspection of seams several leaks were occurring. Had to bite the bullet and buy a new one. It’s tiny ! I call it the yoghurt pot . No great resemblance other than it’s small and almost round with similar streamlines!

So long as it gets me ashore and back with shopping and small passenger. No problem.

Had to pull in anchor this morning at 4 . Wind was very weak but 180° change in angle causes issues and did🫩

Not much else to report . Leaving this anchorage tomorrow and mooching round the coast .. No storms yet!

Rehibernation 😎

So another month has passed!I left Alicante on the 7th and arrived in Aguadulce 34 hrs later. I had a great sail and made 154 miles in the first 24hrs , which I think is my record! Some big winds from aft abeam and a following sea , so very happy. Been to this marina before and really like it so no rush as weather is proving to be unstable again. Doesn’t bode well for this season!

I made a brief visit to the uk which is a bit extravagant but caught up with a few people I haven’t seen for about 6 years which was great. Couldn’t face going down to chichester what with trains and legions of pikeys roaming the dystopic town centre .

Anyhow who needs chichester when you have gangs of klansmen roaming the streets of Alicante! Seen this all before in Cartagena Easter week, but still quite bizarre . Obviously not really a racist outfit but pretty worrying if you’re a black guy turning up in the middle of it. Hours of drum banging and Spanish cornets!
 

This is a troglodyte home in Guadix. Very interesting . Been around since Roman times . Warrens of rooms dug out of rock with little extensions built on front. Apparently stays at 22° summer and winter.

Another fine cathedral at Guadix

Almeria the nearest city to the boat is famous for tomatoes, its motor circuit and being the place Sergio ‘spaghetti’ Leone made his famous Clint westerns. Went with my boat guest and dog , having outstayed their welcome. I left them in the jail house cell.

It was a pretty rundown attraction but the other areas used for filming are zoos and theme park- to be avoided.

Little chilli is like Ed’s was , not a water dog so swam her out to a reasonable distance then submerged , she quite enjoyed it I think.

 Met up with dodgy John and a couple of others , I met before.

 Yesterday I made scones for the first time on board. Not self-raising flour so had to buy whole milk and turn it to buttermilk to use my bicarbonate of soda. Cream was the next issue doesn’t behave or taste like ours when whipped but passes for use on scones.

That’s all for now.

At last!

Didn’t make it last year due to authorities and fines , but presently in Granada which is nearest place to Sierra Nevada and skiing!! Only here for two days but snow mountains and sun is great , Reactivated calf muscle tear so have to see how that is tomorrow but conditions great . Not extensive area but great trip for short visit and could be done multiple times in a season. Came with french guy from Alicante. We were going to the Pyrenees but distance and dubious forecast precluded that.

Otherwise nothing to report. This is the usual hibernation arousal routine. Previously on this trip I’ve been some where and had to get on not quite so now.

Hibernation over.

Well I’ve been dormant for almost 4 months. No great point to itemising my daily activities, but the new season is starting up and I need to make some plans. I think this may be the year I sell the boat which will be interesting!

So what has been going on?

A few friends came to visit. Jane and I did a road trip to the inner coastal area , this was Guadalest a med-evil hill town. Did the prerequisite Benidorm trip, yes that is coastal and has its own attraction to some.Will came over for 9 days so did some more visits to hill towns and food shops selling blood sausages!

 

Roman villa and bath complex near Alicante.

The Waterboys came to Alicante in November and played an out door gig about 200 metres from the boat. Actually paid to go and hear them. They were excellent and the culmination of a seasons concerts in the area.

Spent a few days at Nigel’s on a golf course in las Colinas for Christmas. Met his new dog and had an incident with the toxic catapillars requiring a visit to the vets with two hounds.

No blog can be complete with out a food shot. Went out for Christmas dinner in Alicante with  Nige and co but this is was my boat cooked edition. Turkey is abundant in Spain all year apparently.

More dog sitting for Ali at La Manga. Had to be here to renew the visa but got beaten back 10 miles from Cartagena so have ended up in a marina on the Mar de Menor.The price is right facilities are good and they’ve given me over two weeks free including tax, water and electricity!!! Don’t know why but no complaints.

                                 Chilli.

Went for a visit to Múrcia city. Lovely place . Got kicked out of Cathedral and casino as dogs not permitted. But the alleys and tapas bars were atmospheric. 

Fish sculpture in river Segura.

And a slightly dubious clothes shop in a backstreet.

Yesterdays top activity was a visit to Cabo de Palos (where the boat got damaged a couple of years back) . There was a carnival in which a friend of a friend’s daughter was taking part. Didn’t take too many photos for decencies sake but it’s a family affair with about 7 different dance troops. Very colourful!

I’ve been experimenting with facial hair styles  Don’t think this one works either.

Ensign Spanker!