| A year in the Balearics 2007-2008 |
Our previous newsletter closed as we arrived in the REAL CLUB
NAUTICO DE PALMA (RCNP) in October 2007, yes, as many have
pointed out, we are a year late in our newsletter. And so last
things first.
October 2007 - 2008
The first weekend we joined the PAELLA LUNCH at which Jack
and James Salsa danced. And this upcoming Saturday, the last
in October 2008, we are celebrating the lunch again, but this
time the 60th Anniversary of the Real Club Nautico too.
3 and 1
On November 7th 2007 Jack celebrated his third Birthday with
chocolate cake, jelly and friends Mark and Charlie Durham,
who were part of the Blue Water Rally in 02, and their 7 month
old daughter Evie. One of Jack’s presents was a trip on the
1912 Palma - Soller railway. And it will be again this year.
James’ 1st was low key but his 2nd will more of an upbeat
“Felice Cumpleanos.”
Young Optimists
In December the Real Club hosts a Regatta for over 600
Optimists from 17 countries, an inspiring sight seeing all these
young sailors setting sail on a crisp December morning.
Mummies
The Tuesday morning Mummies group has been a good source
of new friends, many of whom had been involved in sailing.
The weekly meetings became a great support and font of
information. Some of our best fun at the Real Club came
during swimming lessons. The first floor pool overlooks a
superyacht shipyard on one side and on the other Palma and
the hills of Genova behind. We made good friends through the
classes. Jack can now swim half a length. James jumps in at
every opportunity and does great splashing. James was also
taught to blow raspberries or bubbles (“burbujas”) in his aqua
baby class, so I now say he is blowing raspberries in Spanish.
One of our most heart-melty moments was Papa Noel, Father
Christmas visiting the class. He was the boyfriend of Susannah
their popular teacher, and a bit too fit and gorgeous to be a
real father Christmas …
Olympic Training
Whilst changing for swimming classes we met two Sarahs and a
Pippa, Brits who were using the Real Club for winter training.
Their levels of physical and mental fitness, determination and
focus were extraordinary. In mid March the Real Club hosted
the 39th Trofeo Princesa Sofia in which Ynglings, Dragons,
Lasers and many other Olympic hopefuls competed. Ben Ainsley
along with all the British sailors thrived. In July Sarah Ayton,
Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson, the Yngling Girls won Gold in
the Beijing Olympics.
Christmas in Palma
Christmas was a delight. Granny, my mother joined us for two
weeks during which we toured the island.Majorca in winter is
a very different island. Alcudia and Pollencia, packed in the
summer were deserted. I was born on my mother’s Birthday,
14th December. Our Lunch was at La Pasada de Marques, a
hotel in the mountains where my friend Kay was married. I was
heavily pregnant and too, too hot to make Kay’s August 06
Wedding in this utterly gorgeous place however, on one of our
Autumn 07 “outings”, which ever way we drove, we were for
one reason or a way redirected towards Kay’s hotel, and once
we found it, we fell in love. Granny was here to see James’
first steps and Jacks’ first swimming strokes on December 21st.
The Real Club Nautico’s Children’s Christmas party was a pint
sized riot and a lot of fun.
La Sibil.la
Over the Christmas period we attended two Carol Services at
Palma Cathedral. One included the eerie and beautiful sound of
La Sibla.la which is traditionally sung at Midnight Mass on
Christmas Eve. It tells of the Day of Judgement and the second
coming of Christ. The chant is sung in the Cathedral by a
soprano dressed as the Angel of Judgement. It dates from
Medieval times and is particular to Mallorca although it is
performed in other Catalan speaking areas.
360 for 2007
After taking in a party in the early evening with friends we
met through the Mummies group, we spent a quiet New Year’s
Eve on board with an Indian take-away. The sky was ablaze all
around the boat, for twenty minutes. We have been spoilt for
firework displays. This was one of best. The children thankfully
slept through.
Dia des los Reyes. (Three Kings. Epiphany)
The Spanish save their presents until January 6th. In Palma the
Kings sail through the harbour, past the RCNP and parade
through the streets. Jack watched full of excitement from the
fuel pontoon, the best vantage point to see a ship carrying
Three Kings from the Orient who have travelled so far. As the
ship was docking we raced around to the join the crowds
waiting on the quay side at the start of the parade. Melchor,
Caspar and Balthazar were mounted high up so even at the
back of the fifteen deep crowd we could see, although those
at the front caught the sweets thrown by the passing Maji. An
enchanting evening. And by happy co-incidence in the throngs
we bumped into friends Juan and family, who we knew from
swimming classes.
3 and 1 Party
During a January UK-go-round Jack and James had an
thoroughly delightful 3rd and 1st Birthday party. An hour of non-
stop fun and entertainment from the amazing imaginations of
Lin and Howard of “Baby Sensory” made the party a huge
success. Newly returned to Palma, at the end of February we
were entertained by a three day Medieval Fair in La Lonja,
part of the historic district. Costumed vendors at their dressed
stalls, players and musicians made for a highly authentic
event.
Santa Catalina
Our favourite market is ten minutes out of the RCNP gates in
the old Jewish quarter. Full of character and bohemian
restaurants it is an easy stroll to our other favourite, a
playground in the nearby park.
Joan Miro
Sculptures are found throughout Palma. Miro lived on the
island from 1956 to his death in 1983. He designed the park
with the huge lake in front of the Cathedral, the Parc de Mar,
changing the face of Palma in the 60s. Jack was bemused by
his visit to the Pilar and Joan Miro Foundation in the hills
behind Palma, presuming that the pictures had been painted
by children his age. Es Baluard, another modern art gallery was
another underwhelming experience, notable for building bricks
posing as art.
Marineland
In out-of-season Marineland the dolphins and sea lions
performed to eight of us. During the summer we anchored off
Marineland and were kept awake by the sea lions songs.
Lluc
For spiritual and edible refreshment wind your way through the
mountains to the monastery of Lluc. Take your time getting
there, it’s a picture at every bend. In this tranquil place we
indulged in excellent Frito Mallorquian (a fried liver, red
peppers, onions and fennel dish), and a most-moisterlicious
almond cake. The whole site has an air of calm even if tourists
tramp regardless through the Sunday Mass heading for the Black
Madonna behind the main altar.
Valldemossa is the picturesque hill town where Chopin and
George Sand spent “Winter in Mallorca” and where we had the
best taza de chocolate de caliente, a particularly thick gloopy
hot chocolate sometimes eaten with “choros“, fingers of deep
fried batter.
Deia
The writer and poet Robert Graves’ home is now a museum in
Deia, a village on the coast in the mountains which has
attracted many writers and artists. In his early years Graves’
served in the Royal Welch Fusilers with my Great Uncle.
Palma Cathedral or Le Seu
One of the most impressive Cathedrals in Europe. See it, and if
possible go to a concert or service when it is lit up. From our
berth in Real Club Nautico we have a view of the Cathedral,
the windmills, and Bellver Castle, most impressive at night.
Easter Surprise
Jack disgraced himself by finding a hidden nook and eating his
Easter eggs on Good Friday. As in Andalusia, where we spent
Easter two years ago, the Majorcans celebrate Semana Santa,
Easter Week, with long processions of penitents and statues.
On Easter Day we merged with the Mass in the Cathedral. After
the Service, the congregation crowded to the aisle. The
Rodriguez family were standing at the back on a bench when
King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia, Crown Prince Felipe, Princess
Letizia and the whole Royal family entered to Vidors’ Tocatta.
I became emotional as the organ music reminded me of
walking down the aisle with John.
Wintering in Palma gave us six months to explore the historic
district. Amongst many others our favourites were the Arabian
Baths and Almudaina Palace, the official residence of the King.
It reminded us of the Alhambra in Grenada (Co-incidentally the
Almudaina Hotel was where our mothers stayed, highly
recommended.) The Royal family’s every day Palacio de
Marivent is on the outskirts of Palma, opposite Mercadona, a
supermarket. The low key entrance has a street number 229
Ave Joan Miro. At the end of our winter stay we were
pleased to find we could still get lost in the narrow lanes
around the Cathedral finding a jaw-dropping glass shop where
the artist Olga Rioja makes intriguing lamps, fairies and boats.
More “bounty” to be added to the variety of prints, North
Carolina pineapple door knocker, South Carolina pottery,
blown glass from Gibraltar, photo frames and ornaments that
we have acquired over our six years of cruising.
Coming up to date, briefly, a hot and sunny 19th October saw
the busy four lane highway around the harbour closed for the
Palma Marathon with all ages, starting and mostly finishing in
front of the Cathedral. As a spectator sport it is moving, and
gruelling.
Twenty Four Seven in Heaven
My attempt to start Jack at a Steiner school foundered because
by the time we returned from the UK, late, because I was ill, it
was almost Easter and too late to “bed” him in. We have
chosen this life, and it is one of huge pay backs and priceless
experiences as we explore “get jealous” places with our
children but, it is twenty-four-seven without Grannies or baby
sitters with just the DVD for time out, and that can be
wearisome.
Yacht-ucation
Karen Campbell-Hill Jack’s head mistress at Manor Farm gives
us advice on home education websites, and most importantly
enthusiastic backing. When we have access to WIFI the boys
listen to BBC 7’s CBBCs radio. In between playing with his
friends from UK, Spain and Holland Jack has been learning his
letters and numbers. His “Jack” is remarkably legible. Polly
Phonics and Key Stage One will enter Jack’s gentle curriculum
soon. Shelia Avery, previously, a Montessori teacher with
whom we sailed, gave us numerous useful tips and Robert, a
deputy head encouraged us to keep on with what we are
doing.
Spring and things
Refits are purgatory at best. Moonshine was hard but it was
just the two of us full of inexperience and enthusiasm.
Seraphim’s first blue water refit was in the UK whilst Jack was
five months and we were living with my mother. Seraphim’s
second blue water refit living on board with a hyperactive
three year old and a toddler was long and stressful. Finally after
five months, at the end of April we were ready. I said,
“Never again” as I “welcomed” a procession of engineers for
electrics, the water maker, more electrics, the hot water
heater, and the sail maker. John worked along side them
describing the grind as paying our dues. The Palma Boatshow
(think Southampton before the bridge) co-incided with the
end of our re-fit, useful for Seraphim crew shirts and last
minute knick knacks.
H 2 (g)O.
The new water maker has revolutionised our cruising. We do
not have to keep coming into marinas to fill up, wasting time
and often losing buoys or good anchoring spots. The Echotech
watermaker is distributed by Hydrovane. Sea water is pumped
at high pressure through a series of membranes. When not in
use the system is “pickled.”
So long, Farewell to the Real Club Nautico
In April 2007 our time at the Real Club drew to an end. We
had a Farewell Lunch attended with gusto by forty friends aged
from ten months to over sixty from seven different
nationalities. A few lubbers hung around on the pontoon but
most ventured the steep gangway to squeeze onto the
crowded deck. Only the early birds secured a seat in the
cockpit. (The Farewell Lunch this time is Sunday 9th
November 2008 at the playground in the park in Bellver
Castle.)
Adios
Another lunch, just before we left, was a paella competition
for members of the Club. Over twenty “teams took part:
mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, a few wife’s and
husbands, mates getting together all with their particular
recipe. Some started with onions, some squid, some garlic,
some red peppers. Two hours later the contestants tasted each
others, voted and sat down with their table of ten guests, and
the result.
Angels and Jokers
Six weeks after our Farewell Lunch (!) we departed. Our Blue
Water Rally 02 friends Peter and Tricia of Skysong were
berthed on the transients pontoon. Near them were the FORD
family, on HARLEKIN. Paddy and Sue’s daughters EVIE (2) and
MEA (10 months) became Jack and James’ new best friends.
For most of May to August from Mallorca to Ibiza, Formentera,
back to Mallorca and onto Menorca, the Angels (Seraphims)
sailed with the Jokers, (Harlekin) or the Barco Verde, green
boat, as she became known.
Sail Away
White flappy things? Gulls? Baby wipes? Sails. Yes. Sails. Seven
months on the dock and even with our bright, white Genoa
cleaned by Novasail, I wondered how our first few sails would
go.
In late May our “Ho” was knocked out of our Gung after James
experienced a febrile convulsion from which he recovered
swiftly, not so his parents. The Spanish paramedics in the
ambulance and in the emergency room in Manacor (Mallorca)
were outstanding. Mark and Charlie Durham, the Fords and all
our Mummy friends were hugely supportive. John and Mark
returned Seraphim from Porto Colum on the west coast to
Palma. Initially I wanted to jump on the first Flybe home but
after a week “at home” in the Real Club Nautico, a time if not
of getting our act together, then, of gathering ourselves the
Seraphim crew set off again to join the Barco Verde, in the
north. Our plans to sail to Sardinia and Corsica were changed
to no off-shore overnights
Whilst in Alcuida John decided to play safe and took one night
in the marina when water spouts threatened. We were
intrigued by a charter boat of tattooed twenty some things
from Newcastle who had won a quiz show, a weeks trip on a
yacht in the Med. None of them had sailed before. It was May
and they were translucent. First day out they were all violently
sea-sick but making the most of it, although slightly freaked by
“tornados”. Second day, bad weather kept the quiz-sters in
port. A day of sunbathing turned them to roast beef but still
they were making the most.
Viva the Viva
Whilst passing through Alcudia we met “the Dutch”, Serge and
Isobel on Sea Walk with their son Alec (5) and daughter Katie
(2). They introduced us to the Viva Tropic Hotel, one of many
three star package hotels where if you have lunch you can use
the hotel facilities such as pirate ship with baby pool,
trampoline, play area, etc. A lifesaver for Mummies. Another
venue, around the bay was The Sunwing with it’s children’s
beach, pool, playground and after lunch cartoons.
Mallorca Ibiza Formentera Mallorca Menorca
During July and August the Balearics turn into an extremely hot
zoo although this year was not as crowded as last. The islands
are at their best in May - June, and September - October.
Through the summer we discovered more about familiar places
and something about new ones. Amongst many: the west coast
Mallorcan favourite of Mondrago, Cala Boix near Alcudia and
Cala En Gossalba near Formentor.
Our sail along the north and east coast was as magnificent as
ever. I made up stories of child friendly dragons who lived in
the cliffs. In 07 we “nosed” into the packed Cala de la
Calobra. This year we anchored in this spectacular bay which
opens into a gorge cut by the Torrente de Paris, a stream
which starts near Lluc in the mountains. Just a little along the
coast we stopped at the Port of Soller for the anchorage
surrounded by mountains, the tram running from the Port to
the inland town and the 1912 train from the town to Palma.
Ibiza
Portinaix in northern Ibiza is pretty “fish and chips”, but we
loved our hidden (private-ish) beach known only to locals and
passing dinghies, although, it was next door to a crammed
stretch of sand. The western coast of Ibiza was a surprisingly
entrancing journey south en route to one of the most popular
locations in the Balearics, Formentera.
Formentera and Espalmador
The islands of Formentera and Espalmador off Ibiza were as
stunningly beautiful as anticipated, very similar to the
Caribbean. As with the rest of the Balearics, buoys have been
put down to discourage anchoring and encourage the growth of
Posideon, sea grass. In most places the system of securing a
buoy through official channels is un-enforced but in Espalmador
it is, because of the crush. My view that when the buoys go
down the magic disappears was proved right. Espalmador is
heavenly however not in summer when it is more of a parking
lot than sanctuary. Weather bound in Ibiza we joined the
tourist trail: the Hippy Market, the fortifications in the Old
Town, vineyards and folkloric dancing but not the Clubs.
Jack and James’ have continued their extensive survey of the
playgrounds, fair grounds and beaches in the Balearics. One of
their favourite games is splashing about in their rings behind
the boat, preferably being pulled along by Mummy. The new
kayak bought in Ibiza was an instant hit, if a tippy one. An
early capsize helped John to figure out the best seating plan
and modus operandi for … inflation.
So for the boys it was one breathtaking, beautiful, stunning,
awe inspiring anchorage with a beach after another, ho hum at
ages 3 and 1.
In August by happy co-incidence we were joined by Rob and
Sheila Avery and their daughters Elise and Verity on LET IT BE,
a Dufour 44 which John had sold them.
Jack became great pals with Elise (20). They bonded over
colouring books. Jack shed bitter tears when she returned to
UK. Even an evening of playgrounds and chocolate ice cream
could not console him. I’m not sure how I would have coped
with the boys and the heat and boat life without our friends on
Let it Be. Let It Be had a constant flow of guests of all ages
which gave us a good idea of how we would like to sail with
our boys in later years. Waiting for a weather window we
spent our Meeting Anniversary, seven years in July, in St
Eulalia, Ibiza. As so often with cruising a special evening
threatened to be blighted by urgent boat fixing but, eventually
it turned into a jolly night with Let It Be and their friends,
twenty odd by the end.
John’s mother Eileen and family holiday-ed in Menorca in
August where we met up with them. Fornells is a mile long
natural harbour in the north. The crew of Seraphim took a
buoy that for two weeks, little piece of heaven. For the first
time in four years we made a night entry in to an anchorage
dropping the hook in a seemingly safe place. Standing on the
bow, I smelt evening smells of garlic cooking, after shave,
perfume, and dinners various wafting through the anchorage.
The next morning a charming and tousled Spaniard asked us to
move as we were in the middle of a channel for windsurfers,
dozens were skimming around. Friends did exactly the same
two nights later. I understood the “crazy summer” resignation
on the Spaniards face.
Some may remember our pictures and delight in Cavalleria, a
remote promontory in the north near a lighthouse where
people built little stone towers for seemingly no reason. On
Eileen’s Birthday we built little stone towers for the Birthday
girl and the Nicotra family. And on a very blustery day let off
Birthday balloons.
Alaior, a town in inland Menorca had it’s fiesta. Jack and
James, now fiesta veterans, were amazed as seventy five
handsome black horses and their riders paraded around the
narrow streets. Strangers invited us into their home to eat and
drink. It was once the bakery for the whole area. The oven
stretched for twenty feet from the front room to the back of
the house. By the end of the night, emboldened by gin, the
locals try to make the large horses rear higher. Next morning,
several hung-over machos hobbled on their casts.
At the end of August our electrics failed, entirely, primarily
because of an electrician in Palma’s mistake in January. Sailing
back from Menorca to Mallorca was a good exercise in back to
basics: wind, compass, point and sail. John, Serge (SeaWalk)
and John Parker in Alcudia working in 40 upwards degrees in
the aft cabin fixed the error. The boys and I hung out at
playgrounds around the town and our “hotels”.
Wishin’ and Hopin’
Great song and really the only way to cruise the Balearics.
Having been beaten up too many times we have now learnt to
wait, and wait, and change plans constantly to accommodate
the “go“. John using at least four sources for weather and
experience tried to warn friends new to the Balearics not to go
in certain conditions. If they persisted, sadly for them his
predictions were correct and they were, as we were for the
first two years, pounded.
Knowing we might not make it I was still hopin’ to meet a
dear friend I had not seen for many years. After six days of
waiting in Ibiza, wishin‘, we had a stuff of dreams sail, across
to Mallorca where we caught Harriet on the last day of her
holiday One of many times waiting paid off.
Conversely if a window appeared we would have to abandon
an outing, such as the last day of John’s mother and family
holiday, when severe battery problems dictated our return to
Mallorca. That morning, a one day weather window opened
and we were out of Fornells heading for Alcudia. The next day
charter-ers on the same trip had a death defying time.
Highs and Lows
So, Balearics sailing is difficult because of the freakish
weather, the bizarre weather systems within the islands, and
unpredictable Mediterranean swells, and I don’t mean mercurial
Spaniards with a sartorial edge. Too many times we’ve been
toasting an idyllic anchorage when the rolling begins ending in
sleepless nights. With all the gunwale to gunwale action
everything above and below was so tightened down that we
were ready for an ocean.
In high summer when arriving fatigued after a long sail from
Mallorca to Menorca we decided to keep going, for five hours.
Why? The “arrival” anchorages were untenable because of the
swell, and, overcrowding. However, those extra five hours
along the east and north coast of Menorca included some of the
most magnificent landscapes in the most perfect evening light
we have seen.
Balearic Spenders
The Balearics really only want the big spenders on huge motor
vessels and super yachts. In comparison to the income from
the latter and tourists our contribution is negligible which
reflects the welcome.
Wind Power
An advertisement read, “Moved by wind. Driven by passion”.
Sometimes we were a little too moved by wind.
In Soller (Mallorca) and Fornells (Menorca) we experienced two
nights of high winds, both unwelcome experiences even
without children.
In Soller it was the “night breeze” aka two hours of hot, 40
knot winds falling off the mountains with no warning. Seraphim
and several other yachts began to drag around the packed
anchorage. By a freak accident a rope had become wrapped
around Seraphim’s propeller. This was another “never again”.
Helming a disabled boat into a wind which is clocking the
compass, literally coming from all directions. John was in the
dinghy trying to steer from the side. The boys were awake and
screaming. Finally, with Christian, the owners’ assistance, we
rafted onto a large motor vessel. The next morning John dived
under Seraphim and cut the line, still tightly wrapped around
the propeller, the cause of so much distress.
Later in the summer we were secure on a buoy. A storm had
been blowing and many yachts which were anchored at the
entrance of Fornells dragged at speed through the natural
harbour. The rigging of two yachts became tangled and they
crashed onto the boat on the buoy, adjacent to ours. After
much screaming of the crews and the winds, the yacht secured
to the buoy was forced to release and leave the others
attached. A large yacht full of incompetent and arrogant
charter-ers certainly got “surfandmore” when they ran
aground. As they dragged, gathering momentum heading for
the shallow water they had shouted to owners ready with
fenders and knowing locals “tranquillo”, “calm down”. Not so
complacent in the morning light surrounded by rescue boats
and divers.
I appreciate we’re whinging in paradise however, live on a
sailing boat and these elements become essential. And one final
whine. The hoopla of the resort anchorage where if you don’t
have swell from nature it’s manufactured by speeding bananas,
water skiers, jet skiers, wind surfers, para-gliders, tourist
boats and in north Mallorca sea planes practising for forest
fires.
The Fraulein and the Fender
When they are not being down right or up right dangerous
charter-ers are good for a laugh. One of the funniest was a gal
in formidable make up and high wedge shoes throwing a
fender over the side only to see it float away.
In the marina in Alcudiamar we were ready with the fenders
when a charter boat made several attempts in windless
conditions. Five poseurs in matching outfits could not figure
out how to tie up to the pontoon. Puzzling all those ropes and
metal holes and … crack. Never the many lesses, that evening
all dressed up, again, they adopt the charter swagger heading
to a bar, preferably overlooking “their” yacht where their
boasts invariably score.
El Cortes Ingles, (The Court of the English)
As August wound down my thoughts turned to a Wedding in UK.
Beach wear wouldn’t do. Although I had lost 35lbs since August
07, anyone over size twelve is a fashion pariah. I set off with
high hopes but Rubens-eque figure. Hope sunk. The lowest ebb
came when a size 6 slither of an assistant stretched a size 8
hankerchief. Vain hope. Regardless of insensitive stick insects I
found a dramatic, and forgiving pink, frilly number matched
with a purple wrap in El Cortes Ingles, a sort of Spanish
Selfridges. These went perfectly with a precipitous pair of
puce Jaime Mascaro shoes I fell for in January sales. (I was
shameless, a shoe-sale-slut buying three pairs of Jaime
Mascaros.)
The UK-spin-round took in Kate (Anderson) and David Kenyon’s
Wedding, the Southampton Boat Show, the 750 Anniversary of
Salisbury Cathedral, and dozens of friends.
On our return at the end of September we sailed out of Alcudia
with our new dinghy cover, new blue upholstery (covered by
sheets) and new alternator. En route round to Palma, we over-
nighted in Porto Petro, where we rolled with an unexpected
swell. Extinguished any rosy glow we had of Balearic
anchorages.
The Real Club Nautico, “home from home”.
Although we are only here for five weeks it is good to meet up
with our Spanish friends who we made through the Real Club,
the British Mummies, Margarita from who we rented our berth
in Alcudia and others we on and off the pontoons.
Tapalma is five day tapas festival in the centre of Palma at the
beginning of October. Well worth using as a focus for a mini-
break. Four routes and a wide variety of tapas. John and I
indulged with relish. It gave us the opportunity to enter child
unfriendly restaurants in which we fear to tread.
Dockwise
Not a term for live-aboards stuck in a marina giving advice but
the ship which will transport Seraphim from Palma to
Martinique, West Indies in mid November. Last October 07 and
in April 08 we were impressed by the expert operation in
which boats motor into the hull of the half sunk transporter
ship. With inches to spare they are welded into cradles (by
ugly beautiful French divers, think Depardieu.) Over eight
hours the hull is raised and the ship sails across the Atlantic.
Whilst in Martinique, pregnant with Jack, we watched the
process of unloading, never thinking we would four years later
be one of the easy-way boats. For now it’s our way as James is
too young.
Round and round the Balearics with our Teddy Bears
We shall be sad to leave Palma and the island of Mallorca
which we love. It will have been two and a half years since
May 06 when we sailed into Alcudiamar and November 08, our
imminent departure from the Real Club Nautico. These have
been our nursery years in so many ways. From our time out to
have James and happy days in Bridge Farm where I blithely
announced, “We learnt how to do it with one, we just have to
learn with two” to our return to Alcudiamar with eight month
old James and two year old Jack.
We soon learnt one and one equals three times the work. The
reality of living and sailing on a yacht with a baby and a two
year old challenged us to a series of increasingly difficult but
eventually fulfilling learning curves. Two young children, on
land or sea, however, loved and treasured, are a real stretch,
and it takes its toll however, John and I consider ourselves
fortunate to have been able to take time out, and have this
extraordinary family (parenting) experience.
Ole to Au Revoir
And so from Spain we head to the French West Indies. We
anticipate my Birthday, 14th December and Christmas will be
in St Lucia, and from there what shall we see sea see.
With love John Nicola Jack and James RCNP Palma Mallorca
Spain.
Return to homepage
