October 2024

The end of the season is approaching

Text: Christian & Carola / Pictures & short films: Carola

The last month for us to be sailing the boat. Then the winter break is just around the corner and with it the boat work. How quickly time flies.

But we're not thinking about that for now. Chris has noticed that water is dripping under the sink again and the pump is starting up. Not good. He's working on a solution. Let's see if we can fix it ourselves this time. We want to repair it in the next few days as we have other things to do today.

A welcome change from everyday boating life is our visit from friends from Switzerland. They live nearby and are enjoying their vacation here in the autumn. We invite them for an aperitif on our boat and have lots to talk about. We receive reciprocal rights and a few days later we are able to enjoy Spanish specialties on their terrace with a fantastic view of the sea.

Sarah and me - Reunion is a pleasure

Marc and Chris chatting over a delicious aperitif

Visiting Sarah & Marc

Terrace with sea view

View into the bay of Port d'Andratx

Evening mood

The wind and weather are already autumnal and occasionally nasty. But here in Port D'Andratx we feel comfortable, behind the high harbor wall we are well protected from all the bad things that happen outside the bay.

In the evening, I (Caro) am in regular contact with Lacey, our Canadian friends. They are on the crossing from Cannes to Ibiza and are now not far from Port d'Andratx. Lacey asks about anchoring options. We suggest that they should come to a buoy or even into the marina because of the forecast winds. There is still a free spot next to us.

They are interested. We clarify whether they can have the berth. No problem. We'll quickly let them know the good news.

There is a great feeling of mutual joy when they arrive here in the quiet harbor shortly after midnight. The entrance from the open sea into the large bay of Andratx was an unpleasant challenge for them. They had to fight against a high cross wave with their “Deinde”.

SY Deinde and her crew reach the safe harbor

We have a relaxed time here in Port D'Andratx. We certainly don't lack exciting stories for a long evening together. And so, after a long time, we sit together again “united” and chat about all sorts of things. It's a fun and entertaining evening. For everyone, it feels as if it's only been a few days since we last saw each other. Everything feels as familiar as it did back in Greece.

SY Deinde & SY Blue Wave - reunited after 6 months

We decide to make the crossing to Ibiza together with the Canadians. We set off early in the morning on Saturday, October 5, sailing upwind. In order to reach our destination on Ibiza on a direct course, we have to sail increasingly hard into the wind. The wind keeps shifting to our disadvantage, so that we finally get it on the nose and have to start our engine.

Meanwhile, the Canadians have already disappeared from view far ahead of us. We receive a radio message from the “Deinde” asking if everything is all right with us. It is, and we also reach the anchorage in Cala Xarraca a little late to drop anchor.

Farewell to Mallorca

Breakfast at sea

The time when we're under sail is really fun

We pass the Far de sa punta of the Moscater of Ibiza

Finally arrived at Cala Xarraca

Caro and I are on the fence. The original plan is that we want to take our time here on Ibiza and sail further south to Formentera. However, the weather forecast is bad. Changeable strong winds, accompanied by rain and thunderstorms, and that in Formentera, which is poorly sheltered. We don't fancy that.

On the other hand, there is a good weather window to sail further west towards the mainland. Who knows how long we'll have to wait for another one if we don't catch it now.

Before that, there was a long period of wind from the west for more than a week. Such winds are forecast again for the future. We don't want to be stuck here for days on end, so our heads finally make up our minds. We will leave Ibiza early.

Ending the month on the Spanish mainland coast also sounds tempting to us. Especially as we still have the prospect of a visit there.

unrise - one of the most beautiful hours of the day when everything is still quiet

It's always exciting to see where you've actually ended up the next day. We would have loved to stay here for a few more days.

The next morning, our mini-flotilla sets off on a short sailing trip. We continue westwards along the north coast to Port de Sant Antoni, our starting point for the crossing.

But where are the Canadians anchored, who must have arrived before us? The previous cursory agreement regarding anchoring in the “big bay” was not very precise.

When we arrived in “our” large bay, no “Deinde” was visible. Anchoring there was difficult because of the many boats. I tried to contact the Canadians by radio, but to no avail. We now decide to sail into the large anchorage bay in front of the town and, lo and behold, we spot the “Deinde” with our binoculars. We also find our anchorage not far from her.

We decide to meet up later for a drink together in the town. But first we buy two canisters of diesel at the nearby petrol station on the road, just to be on the safe side.

A wonderful coastline passes us by

Anchor dropped off Sant Antoni, not far from the “Deinde”

We enter Ibiza to run some errands

Then we go sightseeing. Sophisticated bars and clubs with Ibiza's typical house music accompany us along the beach promenade. Many trendy young people are out and about. Ibiza as you would imagine it. The center consists of well-kept new buildings lined with palm trees, again with many restaurants and clubs. Later, we meet up with Lacey and Shane in a Mexican restaurant, where we spend a lovely evening together.

We are ashore just in time for sunset

We get a small impression of Sant Antoni

The grinning cheeks on Ibiza 😅

In convivial company with Lacey and Shane 🇨🇦

After a short night, the alarm clock rings early in the morning. We have agreed to set off at dusk so that we arrive at our destination before dark. So our small flotilla sneaks out of the well-protected bay under motor until the forecast strong wind reaches us outside the cover.

Our common destination is Denia. Unfortunately, we have just received a rejection from the port for the berth we requested. Before the phone reception cuts out, we quickly enquire at the marina in Gandia to the north and promptly receive a positive response.

While the “Deinde” is sailing towards Denia, we have adjusted our course slightly and are sailing towards Gandia to the north. We informed the “Deinde” of our decision by radio and said goodbye to them.

The strong wind forces us to reef our sails. In a very fast half-wind course and under swell, we finally reach the harbor entrance of Gandia.

Chris radios the marina. To our surprise, we are told that they have no room for our boat size. The marinero doesn't understand English and it's a misunderstanding. Great, we think, what now? We have to postpone our relaxing evening until later. We decide to anchor on the beach a little south of Gandia harbor for the night.

It becomes a restless night. The wind picks up, there is lightning and a bit of rain comes down. As I (Caro) can't sleep in bed, I move my sleeping nest into the cockpit. The waves coming in feel high. Our boat goes up and down and sometimes back and forth. Chris joins me in the cockpit. We spend the night in the cockpit again after a long time.

We leave the bay at Sant Antoni at dusk

Dawn and we're just whizzing along

Farewell from the Canadians

There are plenty of waves and wind on this crossing

Anchorage at Oliva - it still looks like a quiet night

And that's how it actually was - a little idea of what it can sometimes be like at anchor

The advantage of sleeping in the cockpit = experiencing a wonderful sunrise. The morning atmosphere is sensational.

The rocking doesn't subside, but increases as the wind picks up again. We don't stay here much longer. At around 10:30 a.m. the anchor is raised and we let the wind push us towards Denia, which now has free berths again.

Our journey to Denia goes quickly, almost too quickly. We reef the headsail to a minimum and are still sailing at 5-6 knots. No wonder, as we have wind peaks of up to 33 knots 😳.

The morning is no better than the night, but the sunrise makes up for it.

Our headsail is reefed to the size of an “elephant handkerchief”

Small headsail and still 6kn speed with 32.2kn wind

From now on, we let the fall on the Spanish coast come to a leisurely end. We decide to spend a few days in Denia, Calpe, Villajoyosa and Santa Pola before heading for Torrevieja, our winter quarters, towards the end of the month.

We are accompanied by mild late summer temperatures. We hike, see the places and rest up from the long sailing season. We enjoy spending more than just one or two days in each place.

This allows us to take an extended stroll through the farmers' market, the old market hall and the food market in Denia. We have a wonderful view over the town from the Castell del Denia.

Farmers Market

Market hall

Food Market

View over Denia

View of the Esglesia de l'Assumpcio de Denia

A wonderful path leads along the coast - highly recommended

The big festive event in Calpe on the history of the Christians and Moors with the seemingly endless parade is also unforgettable.

Of course, climbing the 332-metre-high “Penyal d'Ifac” cliff is a must. Clambering up the high rock face is a welcome change from life on the water.

Salines de Calpe in the background - this lake used to be connected to the sea

The big parade of the “Moros-y-Cristianos-Fiestas” - Flamenco at its best

Great costumes to marvel at

Calpe's landmark the “Penyal d'Ifac”

What you don't do to enjoy a great view

 Mirador de Carabiners reached, the view is impressive

The descent is easy

But the view from the summit is unbeatable - Chris is up there alone

The “summit climber”

The evening sun gives the “Penyal d'Ifac” a golden glow

We enjoy the evening atmosphere in a beach bar

Calpe

On our journey from Calpe to Villajoyosa, dolphins come swimming and jumping towards us. Some play briefly with our bow wave before continuing on their way in the opposite direction. These moments are always something special.

Always an eye-catcher - dolphins🐬

Once we arrive in Villajoyosa, we discover the chocolate museum and learn about its great history of importing cocoa beans from Africa and South America, which arrived here on medieval ships. From here, chocolate eventually spread across the Iberian Peninsula.

Villajoyosa with its colorful house facade

La Olivera Grossa - this olive tree is over 1000 years old

Embalse del Amadorio - a reservoir with incredibly turquoise-blue water

In the chocolate museum of “Valor”

At the end of the tour, you can taste and shop

We really feast at the “Café Valor”

Another highlight is the meeting with our friends from southern Germany in Santa Pola, who will be spending a week's vacation here. As a coincidence, our paths will cross here.

Santa Pola has a kilometer-long beach

Fishing port of Santa Pola

Castillo Fortaleza De Santa Pola

Beach crossing at La Marina, where we spend a wonderful day with friends.

Happy reunion

On the calendar page is November 01, 2024. For us, this means setting course for Torrevieja, our winter quarters.

Santa Pola in the wake

Sany and Babs accompany us on our last trip

At first it seems as if we can't set sail

But we cover the last few miles under sail

“Investor wine/beer” - to a successful end

An unexpected reunion in Torrevieja - we meet the Finnish crew of the “SY Aniara” again. What a surprise.

We have now arrived in Torrevieja. A wonderful sailing season lies behind us. We have sailed through four countries. We have experienced a lot. All the impressions need to be processed. And that's what we'll do when we return home.

But before that can happen, there is still some work to be done on the boat.

Our last miles in October. We bring the sailing season to a leisurely close.

Part 1

Part 2

This Post Has 6 Comments

    1. Caro / Chris

      Vielen Dank für dein Feedback.
      Wir geniessen hier noch die herbstliche Sonne, bevor’s zurück in den kalten Norden geht.
      Gruss Chris&Caro

  1. Gerold

    Ihr habt wirklich vieles gesehen und erlebt. Nun folgt eine Ruhezeit mit Arbeiten am Boot.

    1. Caro / Chris

      Lieber Gerold
      Dem gibt es nichts hinzuzufügen ☺️. Wir freuen uns auf ein baldiges Wiedersehen. Bis dahin, Herzliche Grüsse C&C

  2. Mama ( Monika)

    Es ist unglaublich wie schnell die Zeit vergangen ist,dass ihr soviel erlebt habt und wir durch die Berichte von euch immer in Gedanken bei euch waren,dass ihr gesund und munter seid.

    1. Caro / Chris

      Liebe Monika
      Da stimmen wir dir voll und ganz zu. Die Zeit ist gefühlt schnell vergangen, was bleibt sind die Erinnerungen an das Erlebte. Es freut uns immer zu hören, wenn wir euch gedanklich auf unsere Reise mitnehmen können. Nun freuen wir uns auf den bevorstehenden Heimaturlaub. Auf ein baldieges Wiedersehen 👋
      Herzliche Grüsse C&C

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