3 sailors, music, islands, and … salty food

Aloha sailors and dear readers

no, Aloha is NOT an expression out of the seaman language…it is the form of greeting they use in Hawaii.          Why do I use it?       Oh, that’s simple: sunshine and the summer sea just fit into this word, doesn’t it? We had plenty of both during our 3 weeks tour and we had long sailing days, short nights too – well, just 2 short nights because of early sailing for a long way-, we had  rythm from the waves, saw dolphins and we had 1 little adventure with our main sail in very strong winds and we had a lot of  wonderfull easy cruising times – later more about that from me —-

Oh no, wait, there still is to explain something: the title  —  we had been cruising around Islands, been on them and looked at several, smaller and biger ones.  Islands like Formentera, Ibiza, Espalmador, Isla Redona, Losa and Isla de St. Eulalia, Islands with nice names like El Cana, Sa Galera, Isla de Punta Grosa, Isla Tagomago and some more.  We have been to some of their bays and had a swim and enjoyed the lazyness of a long summer day….

   

There was only 1 day of rain,  but 3 weeks of music, in the boat around the boat and away from the boat. All kind of music: by headphone,  by disco, by radio, by real instruments, by singing and by waves and winds.   

    ….and about this salty food – there is a special way of preparing fish. You wrap around the fresh fish some good 3-5 cm of salt, put around that a coated foil and bake it in the oven…the result is a fish, tasting delicious, fresh and full of its own flavour – just as you like it.  This type of preparation we enjoyed several times and it always was – wonderful.        No need to say that it is not salty at all?

Now, here comes Margaretha 

with her impressions of the tour, which started 28th July and ended 19th august, written down  as she had experienced the life on a sailing ship. I am very thankful about that nice text, I had less work writing and describing, though its not easy sitting instead in the sun and not thinking, ….

Margaretha:

Klaus sailing blog, for a change from a sail-along would-be sailor and friends.

Just for starters, our group    had a wonderful time, weather-wise mostly hot and sunny, the winds could have blown a bit more some time, and a bit less other times, but the average was great. No grumbles whatsoever.

The skipper had his hands full, what with the helm, the lines, the fenders, the sails and his 3 passengers…but he was great, fantastic mood, smiles, guitar playing, singing, safe sailing, quick thinking, good nose for wind and weather, and for good food and wine, a reliable and wonderful friend all round.   

We left à deux from Torrevieja, planning to cross to Formentera in about two days and then to Ibiza,  

 where Nadine would join us and later Vijay.    

My first real sailing experience took place by fantastic sun shine, and quite strong winds, but against us, so we motored and I felt a little queasy, not having taken the pill recommended by Klaus.

Well, it was my first time, and I had to find out, stands to reason, doesn’t it? I did find out, although I still enjoyed my first day at sea, but next day I did as I was told, swallowed a pill and all was well.          Good thing to remember: follow the skipper’s advice, he DOES know best (well, mostly, certainly about sailing).

—Skipper: and after that he can relax a bit, too  ) look —

Having sailed along the coast northwards in fine weather, the weather gods were against us when we set out to cross over. The sky gradually turned grey, then black, the winds grew stronger, the waves higher and higher, and then the rain came down, just as Mick Jagger sings in that long-searched for song that I seem unable to place. We continued for a while, then decided to turn back. It was no fun, and we had plenty of time. Why persevere when turning back is more comfortable and pleasurable?

So we did and arrived at the marina of Calpe,

where we spent a lovely afternoon, visited the fish auction hall, saw the biggest sward and other fish being loaded up,  

and later enjoyed a good meal. The song continued in my head.

The next morning we had an early start and I experienced my first wonderful sunrise actually out at sea. Indescribably beautiful.

I found it different from seeing the sun rise on an island, or on the top of a mountain, somehow, the feeling of being out there, surrounded by deep blue water, and the atmosphere of seeing the sun rise full of promise far at the horizon was a deeply moving experience for me.

‘Bon Jour mon amour’ is a beautiful, reliable and comfortable boat, she brought us safely, partly motoring, partly sailing to our destination. As we had reached the port of Calpe    

 further down the coast of mainland Spain the evening before, we were able to bypass

Formentera and cross straight to Ibiza, reaching the marina of Santa Eulalia in good time, after about 12 hours, I seem to remember.

I was not of much help during the journey, still learning, still guessing about the wind and the direction of the sails, still battling with the lines, sometimes throwing them at the marineros’ head during mooring, but better than in the water, I guess…But I will learn, am keen to get the hang of this great way of travelling on the seven seas, and no doubt my throwing the lines will become more accurate and my rolling them up tidier after a few more times.

There are conventions on a sailing boat, and one had better observe them. Everything has its place and way of being handled and dealt with. Must just add, I have mastered the art of tying the knots, just need to speed up! One of the great conventions is the sundowner after arrival in the port. But that is no news to the readers of Klaus’ blog. 

We had passed on our left Ibiza town, and before that, the wonderful cliffs along the southern coast on our left reaching the island, 

with the barren island of Formentera on our right.  

The following evening my lovely Nadine arrived, who proved to be a very able learner and got the hang of most things quickly and full of enthusiasm.

She has youth on her side, of courseJ.

Some days later we paid a visit to Formentera, which was unfortunately very busy that day, which happened to be a Sunday, besides, it was August with many Spaniards out on their yachts, too. Claro.

We will return another time.

We spent a good number of days sailing along the east coast of Ibiza, stopping in some lovely sandy bays to eat, laze about and swim. It was heavenly.    

 On the north coast, after searching for quite a long time, we found a wonderful quiet bay, totally deserted when we anchored there, surrounded by the most amazing cliff formations.

      We got the dinghy out to explore a bit further, and Nadine swam to the small pebble beach.

      We had again good weather, which was a bonus, the forecast having been rain. Don’t listen to the weather forecasts, they are never right, was my unwanted advice all along.

                                                                                                       

The following day Vijay arrived, who had sailed before in England and knew much more about it than Nadine and I. He was very keen to sail and a great help in all the involved activities.  

So now we were four people on board, still had plenty of room, undisturbed nights and much fun on lovely bjma. Vijay was the one who went shopping for bread and all sorts of things in the mornings and olives and other goodies to go with the sundowners when supplies ran low in the evening. He had also brought along a very special bottle of gin. 

 It was a great time for all. Another time we move on to Mallorca, time was too short, as we had to return to catch our flights back to Switzerland and England.

On the return journey to mainland Spain, the weather was great again, with the right wind for sailing part of the way. We were greeted by three dolphins, it was fantastic to see them so close.

We spent some time in Altea before returning to the home port, had the best Gazpacho in the Marina’s restaurant, visited the old town and lazed around by the pool, Wonderful.

On our return I had just time to help with the daily ritual of washing the boat down, sundowners, a last meal with the Capitàn, sleep, pack and depart.

Nadine and Vijay tidied up the boat and had the afternoon in Torrevieja and their last dinner with Klaus before they flew off back home.

We had an exciting and unforgettable time with you, thank you Klaus!

Nadine, Vijay and M, with love and big hugs.

Next blog, back to normal!

Thankyou Margaretha, and thankyou Nadine and Vijay for your wonderful  company and the many many help you have done during our trip. It was something special, all of it, which made it easy and very pleasant to me, i loved it…

Hope that there soon is another oportunity to have you on board and sailing with me…because I know, that the ones at land have to work hard and deserve the freedom of the sea and the wide water where you are finding back to your roots and the time on the boat will give you back energy, your energy….

Fair winds, Klaus

PS: I am still looking for that Stones Song mentioned by Margaretha – which one is it? Send me your answer, please and I show you how to do a bowline or any other knot