Barcelona to Gibraltar

The Costa Brava is renowned for its Tramontana and on arrival in L'Escala it was blowing hard, delayed by 2 days we slipped on Wednesday morning and set sail for Ibiza via Barcelona, blowing hard we had some biggish seas and strong winds providing some exhilirating sailing. Spending the night in San Antonio was a pleasant surprise as most of it was closed down with it being out of season, the marina is fantastic and very well priced. The staff could not have been more helpful and it was a delight to be there, something I thought I would not be saying about San Antonio. Although the prosepect of Friday night in Ibiza sounds amazing, the crew and skipper were feeling the trip so far and opted for an early night as we planned to leave the following afternoon and we had to tidy the boat.
The intention was to make for Cartagena but winds played there part and finally we made for San Pedro having experienced good wind then total calm before the winds picked up again allowing to sail within a mile of the harbour. During the calm of the day we sighted numerous turtles and had a magical encounter with 2 pilot whales. San Pedro provided a great pilotage exercise closing it from seaward and avoiding the fish farms using only a hand bearing compass and the lights. Having identified a safe route around the farms we found that the West Cardinal bouys were unlit so extra caution was needed. Despite arriving late, the crew rested well and were fighting fit the following morning as we made for the Mar Menor and passed under the impressive lifting bridge. Meeting up with El Rubicon and her all femal crew we had lunch then departed once again under reefed sails as we beat our way around Cabo de Palos, the shipping lanes seemed extra busy and provided plenty of opportunity to study the lights and apply the colregs. With the wind easing in the early hours we called into Garrucha to see the new pontoons which give the place a fresh new feel and more importantly allowing  secure stop over when sailing this stretch of coastline, something that until now has been greatly missing. Now heading for Motril the wind is due to increase again this afternoon  to E3/4 just in time for us to take advantage if it and sail round Cabo de Gata.
Night sailing has been wonderful under the full moon and with being slightly offshore the stars have been impressive to say the least, with only a few more days to go until we arrive in Gibrlatar the crew is planning a stop over in Marbella before the final leg.
If you are interested in joining a mile building trip from Cartagena to Gibraltar on the 25th March contact us today for more information.

Summer Fun

Easter is proving dissapointing on the water sports front, strong winds, rain and uncharacteristic weather are putting a damper on the holiday period. So here´s to hoping that this summer will be a fun packed affair with sailing, diving, windsurfing and snorkelling all on the cards.

Our Balearic Cruise in Company still has a couple of remaining spaces for fellow boat owners to join in the adventure and experience a new cruising ground. Call us today to book the last remaining spaces and take part in this annual and very social sailing event leaving La Manga on the 4th June heading to Ibiza and Mallorca. Click here for more information.

Merry Xmas from Malaysia

Xmas in Malaysia is not a big affair, having gone shopping on Xmas eve expecting the manic crowds that gather in Europe we were pleasantly surprised with the civility surrounding the shopping malls. Hoping to track down some Xmas carols and maybe a mince pie or two we stopped off in Starbucks, managed a coffee but no mince pies. Likewise the carol singers were absent, at least they were playing carols over the tannoy although it was still not feeling like Xmas. Having survived the shops our minds turned to dinner, now the problem was that everything closes on Friday in Langkawi and tonight this seemed to include all the local restaurants as well. Last year we went to a buffet in one of the local hotels so thought this would be a safe bet, it turned out to be their Xmas dinner meal and the price had doubled, with a stoke of luck we managed to get a preferential price and enjoyed some fabulous food complete with entertainment. When I say entertainment that term is used quite loosely, it reminded us of Pontins or Butlins, still we got our Xmas carols and Santa even arrived on the back of a Harley Davidson, clearly he had been enjoyed a few days on Langkawis beaches as he was looking rather tanned! Still the kids didnt seem to mind as he dished out presents.
With little going on we decided not to waste Xmas day and walked up the 580 odd steps that take you to Seven Wells, the start of a waterfall nestled high in the hills, there are two main pools and having stopped at the lower pool we decided that there were far too many people so we pressed on to the top pool. The views are remarkably and bathing in the fresh water just below the waterfall added a special something to the day. Once back at the car park our legs were like jelly and clearly a sign that we need to get a little fitter in the New Year! Xmas dinner was managed at Mangoes where Michelle and Lutz once again excelled themselves in turning out good western food. It still doesnt feel Xmassy here but a great time has been had, especially when talking to friend and family in the UK and Spain who are under snow with the central heating on full, which reminds me the temperature yesterday was around 35 degrees C. To view our Xmas pictures visit our facebook page, we are having a few days off from sailing but will be back on the water from 2nd January hopefully heading South towards Penang and Port Klang  

Cruise in Company arrives in Ibiza and Formentera

Go-n-sail Cruise in Company arrives in Ibiza, following a long sail up to Villajoyosa and an early start the next day we arrived in Cala Sahona before spending a peaceful night at anchor. Monday we made the short hope round to Cala Oli to pick up a bouy and go ashore by dinghy via the shallow lagoon. Meeting up with the crew over lunch we then set sail for Espalmador, where we took a picnic and drinks to the beach.
Picking up the weather there where strong winds forecast so we headed for Santa Eulalia for a couple of days R & R, a few beers and group dinner ashore and the R& R side of things was off to a good start, today most of the crew have been sight seeing in Ibiza old town, whilst others hired cars and toured the inside of the Island. The weather is still looking a bit iffy but the plan is to slip here tomorrow and anchor in Cala Churrasca on the Northern part of the Island, hoping for an early start on Friday to cross the 55 nm passage to Mallorca.