A SELECTION OF FIESTA PHOTOGRAPHS
A QUIET STREET IN MAHON
COOLING DOWN AFTER THE SHOW
ONLY ANOTHER 100 YARDS TO GO !
A BRIEF REFLECTION OF TWO VERY MEMORABLE DAYS
Thursday 27 September 2012
Wednesday 26 September 2012
MINORCA
Having enjoyd Majorca very much, we left Alcudia and traveled across the thirty mile channel to Minorca. All the islands are very different. Minorca is very green and far less mountainous than its neighbours. There are numerous calas to anchor in, and most of them are totaly unspoilt.
MAHON HARBOUR AT SUNRISE
On Fri 7h we arrived in Mahon, after having had some lovely gentle sailing along the south coast of the island. We decided to have lunch at a waterside restraunt in the port and I remarked how quiet it was compared to the last time I was here some years ago. It was so quiet that we decided to go and have a look at the old city, which involves quite a climb to get there.
Well what a suprise. It was litterally like Wembley on cup final day! There were thosands of people lining the streets having partys,dancing, and drinking a local speciaality, Pommada, a coctail of Minorcan gin and lemon. In one very crowded road there was a roar and then a procession of about 100 Magnificent black stallions was rode through the crowd. It was ;
FIESTA
These horses are unique and are bred here on the isand, and the riders can and do make them rear onto there back legs which when you see it close to is quite awsome. What an experiance we thought it cant get better than this. It did.
On Saturday our good friend Mick Naylor arrived from the Uk and we told him all about the horses that we had seen the day before, The Festa was continuing (four days) and we took Mick up to see what was going on. It was another day of partying and we got into the spiit drinking Pomada and enjoying the atmosphere . We rounded a very crowded corner and found ourselves in a square in front of the cathederal, a brass band was playing wild music and a mass of people dancing clapping and cheering. There were TV cameras on swinging booms. Then came the horses again. It seemed impossible that they could possibly get through .The band increased the tempo, the crowd went wild and the first horse reared to his full height and surged foreward. The crowd then just went into a frenzy, people holding up the horse at his breast whilst others supported the rider hanging onto the near vertical back of his stallion. This continued for some time for the entire procesion of horses. How no one was seriously hurt we do not know but we did see ambulance crews treating injured spectators. .
We eventually got away and had a few Pommadas and the party went on (without us) untill about 6am the next morning.
FIRE AT SEA
It is always said that one of a sailors worst nightmares is a fire at sea. Well we have had one and can tell you it is pretty hairy. On the Sunday we had a pleasant sail along the south coast as we were taking Mick to a very attractive calla that we had found, Calla Porter. We furled the sails and started the engine. A few seconds later smoke was coming out of the hatchway at an alarming rate. We stopped the engine and rushed below to investigate. What ever it was it was in the engine compartment. All the hundreds of safety briefs that I had given as an instructor clicked into place. The golden rule being do not open the compartment to look, it will only supply the fire with more Oxygen! We let off two entinguishers through the hole in the casing that is there for that very purpose. The cabin was now full of smoke and we were adrift out at sea with no engine! After a few miniutes I ventured a look inside, and imediatly shut the door. The fire was still burning with flames on the port side of the engine. We let off a third and larger extinguisher which thankfully and eventually put out the fire.
We then sailed the boat into Calla Porter, which is very narrow, and was thankfully empty, and dropped the anchor. All the electrical wiring on that side was totaly burnt out and it would seem that most of the flames and smoke had actually come from the so called "fire resistant" lining to the engine compartment !
The next day sods law of the sea worked its normal way with the wind blowing into the narrow calla and making it impossible to raise our anchors and sail out. After some time a passing French yacht, who had only come in to take photographs, was hailed and they kindly and skillfully took us alongside and towed us out to open water. We were then able to sail the boat back to Mahon, and bring the boat to an alongside berth under sail.
We are now fully repaired and all is well again, although we are considerably poorer having paid a substantial bill ! It would seem that the starter motor had burnt out and that the heat from this spread the damage to the adjacent wiring and also destroyed the alternator. (I suspect the powder from the extingushers did this ?)
Quite an experaince and congratulations to Mick and Mandy for helping to deal with what could have been a very serious situation.
LAYING UP FOR WINTER
After our experiances we have made the decission to keep the boat here in Mahon for the winter and have found a very sheltered and nice friendly Marina at the head of Porto Mahon . It is only a few minutes from the airport, with regular inexpensive flights to the UK.
We will spend the rest of the time continuing to explore the island.
Ray
Having enjoyd Majorca very much, we left Alcudia and traveled across the thirty mile channel to Minorca. All the islands are very different. Minorca is very green and far less mountainous than its neighbours. There are numerous calas to anchor in, and most of them are totaly unspoilt.
MAHON HARBOUR AT SUNRISE
On Fri 7h we arrived in Mahon, after having had some lovely gentle sailing along the south coast of the island. We decided to have lunch at a waterside restraunt in the port and I remarked how quiet it was compared to the last time I was here some years ago. It was so quiet that we decided to go and have a look at the old city, which involves quite a climb to get there.
Well what a suprise. It was litterally like Wembley on cup final day! There were thosands of people lining the streets having partys,dancing, and drinking a local speciaality, Pommada, a coctail of Minorcan gin and lemon. In one very crowded road there was a roar and then a procession of about 100 Magnificent black stallions was rode through the crowd. It was ;
FIESTA
These horses are unique and are bred here on the isand, and the riders can and do make them rear onto there back legs which when you see it close to is quite awsome. What an experiance we thought it cant get better than this. It did.
On Saturday our good friend Mick Naylor arrived from the Uk and we told him all about the horses that we had seen the day before, The Festa was continuing (four days) and we took Mick up to see what was going on. It was another day of partying and we got into the spiit drinking Pomada and enjoying the atmosphere . We rounded a very crowded corner and found ourselves in a square in front of the cathederal, a brass band was playing wild music and a mass of people dancing clapping and cheering. There were TV cameras on swinging booms. Then came the horses again. It seemed impossible that they could possibly get through .The band increased the tempo, the crowd went wild and the first horse reared to his full height and surged foreward. The crowd then just went into a frenzy, people holding up the horse at his breast whilst others supported the rider hanging onto the near vertical back of his stallion. This continued for some time for the entire procesion of horses. How no one was seriously hurt we do not know but we did see ambulance crews treating injured spectators. .
We eventually got away and had a few Pommadas and the party went on (without us) untill about 6am the next morning.
FIRE AT SEA
It is always said that one of a sailors worst nightmares is a fire at sea. Well we have had one and can tell you it is pretty hairy. On the Sunday we had a pleasant sail along the south coast as we were taking Mick to a very attractive calla that we had found, Calla Porter. We furled the sails and started the engine. A few seconds later smoke was coming out of the hatchway at an alarming rate. We stopped the engine and rushed below to investigate. What ever it was it was in the engine compartment. All the hundreds of safety briefs that I had given as an instructor clicked into place. The golden rule being do not open the compartment to look, it will only supply the fire with more Oxygen! We let off two entinguishers through the hole in the casing that is there for that very purpose. The cabin was now full of smoke and we were adrift out at sea with no engine! After a few miniutes I ventured a look inside, and imediatly shut the door. The fire was still burning with flames on the port side of the engine. We let off a third and larger extinguisher which thankfully and eventually put out the fire.
We then sailed the boat into Calla Porter, which is very narrow, and was thankfully empty, and dropped the anchor. All the electrical wiring on that side was totaly burnt out and it would seem that most of the flames and smoke had actually come from the so called "fire resistant" lining to the engine compartment !
The next day sods law of the sea worked its normal way with the wind blowing into the narrow calla and making it impossible to raise our anchors and sail out. After some time a passing French yacht, who had only come in to take photographs, was hailed and they kindly and skillfully took us alongside and towed us out to open water. We were then able to sail the boat back to Mahon, and bring the boat to an alongside berth under sail.
We are now fully repaired and all is well again, although we are considerably poorer having paid a substantial bill ! It would seem that the starter motor had burnt out and that the heat from this spread the damage to the adjacent wiring and also destroyed the alternator. (I suspect the powder from the extingushers did this ?)
Quite an experaince and congratulations to Mick and Mandy for helping to deal with what could have been a very serious situation.
LAYING UP FOR WINTER
After our experiances we have made the decission to keep the boat here in Mahon for the winter and have found a very sheltered and nice friendly Marina at the head of Porto Mahon . It is only a few minutes from the airport, with regular inexpensive flights to the UK.
We will spend the rest of the time continuing to explore the island.
Ray
Friday 14 September 2012
Next Island new adventure
Well we are in Menorca and in Mahon Harbour and it is beautiful but every adventure has a big story and I think we have had ours and are now storing it out.
Our sail over to Menorca was interesting as the weather was mixed left in sunshine but ther were black clouds about and a squall came over and Ray got very wet I put on waterproofs and we continued sails out in and reefed etc. a good work out for the crew and as Mallorca disappeared in a black cloud so infront of us appeared Menorca in sunshine so first bay/cala on the south west corner of Menorca was our home for the night and the water to swim in was refreshing. The next morning the sun ws shining so head east to Mahon to meet up with a guest on saturday. Arrived at a beautiful Cala Porter and spent the night sandy beach and lovely cliffs. The next day sailed on and got to Mahon on friday to prepare and shop for food however it was Fiesta week-end and they know how to party here and the shops are all shut! So party and eat out a good time was had by all and Ray has photo's and will show you the Fiesta.
On sunday we set sail all the south coast and not much wind but it filled in and we had a great sail and decided to take Mich to Cala Porter as we loved it and a swim ashore to the bar was possible, to enter the Cala we started the engine to furl the sails as it is a narrow entrance and we had smoke coming out of the engine compartment and a different engine noise yes Josephine's engine was on fire so the fire extinquisher was deployed well 3 to put the fire out and we turned out to sea to sort ourselves out and plan what to do next Skipper Ray was great calm and we had good wind direction to sail into the Cala no other boats in there so plenty of room to manover and drop the anchour quickly as no engine = no breaks! so in we go anchoured ok then the 2nd anchour out quickly to stop us swinging into the cliffs. Safe and sound!
We are now in Marina Menorca getting the engine fixed an electrical fire started it we think by the starter motor. Mich our guest for the week sadly has not experienced much of Menorca and not much sailing alot of Mahon and tender rides to get about.
Anyway we are all well and now experienced fire fighters ( wish we weren't ) and Josephine has or is getting as I write new wiring.
Adove is Ray and Mich enjoying a drink during the fiesta.
Our sail over to Menorca was interesting as the weather was mixed left in sunshine but ther were black clouds about and a squall came over and Ray got very wet I put on waterproofs and we continued sails out in and reefed etc. a good work out for the crew and as Mallorca disappeared in a black cloud so infront of us appeared Menorca in sunshine so first bay/cala on the south west corner of Menorca was our home for the night and the water to swim in was refreshing. The next morning the sun ws shining so head east to Mahon to meet up with a guest on saturday. Arrived at a beautiful Cala Porter and spent the night sandy beach and lovely cliffs. The next day sailed on and got to Mahon on friday to prepare and shop for food however it was Fiesta week-end and they know how to party here and the shops are all shut! So party and eat out a good time was had by all and Ray has photo's and will show you the Fiesta.
On sunday we set sail all the south coast and not much wind but it filled in and we had a great sail and decided to take Mich to Cala Porter as we loved it and a swim ashore to the bar was possible, to enter the Cala we started the engine to furl the sails as it is a narrow entrance and we had smoke coming out of the engine compartment and a different engine noise yes Josephine's engine was on fire so the fire extinquisher was deployed well 3 to put the fire out and we turned out to sea to sort ourselves out and plan what to do next Skipper Ray was great calm and we had good wind direction to sail into the Cala no other boats in there so plenty of room to manover and drop the anchour quickly as no engine = no breaks! so in we go anchoured ok then the 2nd anchour out quickly to stop us swinging into the cliffs. Safe and sound!
We are now in Marina Menorca getting the engine fixed an electrical fire started it we think by the starter motor. Mich our guest for the week sadly has not experienced much of Menorca and not much sailing alot of Mahon and tender rides to get about.
Adove is Ray and Mich enjoying a drink during the fiesta.
Monday 10 September 2012
Menorca
We have made it to another island and it has been beautiful difficult crossing weather wise but now back to sunshine .lots to tell you all but we have a guest to look after and are off to dinner chat longer next time.
M&R
M&R
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