Gibraltar.
We came towards the rock of Gibraltar where there was a veritable parking lot of supertankers and Cargo ships anchored waiting g for their next instruction, and we also saw that one ship had recently hit the reef and was half sunk, we reminded us that even these big ships probably have a few scary nights on anchor watch etc.
In Gib we stayed at the new and very welcoming Queens Way marina, which is in the heart of down town. The highlight of the stay was a trip up the Rock in a cable car to see the monkeys (apes technically). Many still had very young babies and we could get so close to them the girls were just amazed.
Sailing down the coast of Spain,
We cruised down the coast of Spain in the company of sunset Sam, A couple of highlights were:
First the team on Wind Belle, caught their first fish, (yes after a whole summer afloat), it was about 40 cm long and was a Dolphin fish (not Dolphin Mammal) , once we got it on board we weren't quite sure how to kill it not being the experienced anglers, but we put some of our ultra cheap rum in its gills and that did the trick. Then almost immediately we caught a second fish, just over half a meter in length so for once we were able to provide fresh fish for supper. See photos.
The second event was that we went to a hippy commune, we actually myself and the girls and the kids of Sunset Sam.. I took them all for a walk to a ruin before supper, when they got ashore they found a very Bohemian lifestyle where clothes we certainly optional and people were living in tents, or huts made from drift wood. The kids took it all in there stride when we met a women naked except for a pot of water on her head climbing up the mountain, although Tallulah did comment that she had a funny hair cut. We went on up the hill to where the ruin was and we saw that the commune all got there water from a spring in the hill side, even more intriguingly some people seemed to live in caves, one man invited us into his cave which also served as a bar for the commune, with candles and even a fridge in the corner, luckily he was wearing a gstring!!!.
The finally we had to crack on to catch up with Jim (Sophies Dad) who was joining the boat in Mallaga. On the way we were having breakfast sailing along when a whole school; of Dolphins swam up to the boat, with perhaps 30 dolphins in total, it was quite a nice Early morning wake up call.

This brings a new meaning to cowes and sailing

Dolphin swim with the Belle

The Apes of Gib

Finally we caught a fish

Some people had a little problem with navigation

Early morning start

A whale, Flag raising,and mum at the helm

Cousins at Mum house Tuscany, the Admiral and Dolphins swimming.

More summer fun

A little bit bit of wind crossing to Spain.

A little bit bit of wind crossing to Spain.
From Formentera we planned a simple crossing to Spain, some 70 plus nm away. We left late as we were waiting for a part. the sky was grey but eh forecasts was favourable if a bit light. We set off on a dead run with about 10 knots of wind, we saw a rain cloud ahead and sailed around it, and were now using an engine to keep up our average speed, in order to get to Mainland Spain in Day light. Suddenly the wind died and went in front of us, then a squall came in from the other side, I couldn't even take the main , but managed to to let the sails go, the wind built in seconds to 43-46 knots, it was raining and we had lightening. The foam was being blown off the tops of the waves. I have to admit to being a little terrified. We were30 miles from land any way we looked at it. I dropped the main, in the most un-seaman like manner, gunned the engines to try to get the boat head to wind, which caused the fan belt to smoke, cue Sophie smelling smoke in the cabin!!!!!!
We rolled the jib and the alarm from the auto pilot screeched really loudly to let us know we were off course. I of course thought the alarm was the fire alarm from the smoke (fan belt,) and was now in a a complete state of panic, and could not release the auto helm which would not return to manual. Finally we managed to hove to , then run with the storm before restoring steerage, working out the cause of the smoke and and tidying up the sails. we then edged forwards at 3 knots in 30-35 knots of breeze, after about 1 hour the wind dropped and we rolled out a few sails and got ourselves going at about 10 knots in 25 knots of breeze.
We finally had the Spanish coast in sight and the wind dropped, so that we actually had to motor the last 2 miles, in a glorious sun set. But we learnt a few lessons. First one is don;t panic, second is panicking is quite a fast way to get things done, third, the boat was very good and was a stable platform through out. Fourth, always be prepared for the unexpected especially under dark clouds.

Imogens Week

Imogen's Week
as part of our at home schooling Imy had to write out what she did for the last week. This is what she wrote.
Monday
On Monday we sailed to an Island. it had a long beach. We went all the way along it. We caught 2 jelly fish . They were very small. It was Zach's birthday.
Tuesday
On Tuesday we had a Pirate Treasure hunt, on the beach. The treasure was smarties then we explored the sand dunes.
Wed
On Wednesday we went to another Island we went to the shops and had an Ice Cream and did Tom and Max a card for their birthday.
Thursday
On Thursday we sailed to Spain. It was very ruff. There was thunder and lightening and it was pouring with some rain.
Friday
On Friday we went to a beach. We made a sand slide with a sand ramp on it, then a magic car then we went swimming.
Saturday
On Saturday we sailed a long long time to Torrevieja. We had ice cream when we got there. We played in the play ground.
Sunday.
On Sunday we sailed to a lake. We all went in the doughnut. I Wen t sailing in the Opi to an Island. We made a camp then made a fire and had a BBQ.
.

Imy

Baleares were great.

Baleares were great.
Following Dads departure, we went north to Isla Colom which was one of our best anchorages of the whole trip. Only about 5 meters of crystal clear water, and a free mooring thanks to EU funding, to save the local fish environment. We went into the caves and took the dinghy through a rock arch, then we went to a crescent beach. At 5 pm all the other boats left except one other and we were in one of the most beautiful anchorages . We went to the beach and had a great time all by our own. This might not seem so special but just imagine being on east head beach in the middle of a very hot summers eve without another boat in site, and you are half way there.
Following that we went down the South coast of Menorca to try and anchor in some of the beautiful Calas (short for very small inlets in which there is literally no room to swing a cat and in which it is nearly impossible to anchor a 47 ft boat and totally impossible to anchor one that is 47 feet long and nearly 9 ft wide. In one place we even had to reverse out rather than turn around.
Next day a great down wind sail to Mallorca and Port Colom. At times we were surfing at 10 knots on the waves.
Port Colom was much less developed than expected and was a very nice place. The we met another cat flying a Kiwi flag, called Sunset Sam, the parents Kevin and Rachel are our age, while the kids are 9 Talia, Zack 7, and Alysa 6. We all went to the beach and the girls quickly made friends.
We found out that Sunset Sam are doing the same sort of thing as us, except once they get to the Caribbean, they are going on through the Panama Canal and on hoe to New Zealand. Any way we agreed to cruise on down the coats of Spain and the rest of the islands.
Then we went on to Palma, where we were meeting up with Imy's school friend, Lucy and her parents, Clifford and Hazel. We went out for a sail, but found it a bit rough and very rainy so turned turned back to "The Anchorage" which is next to Porta Portals. We had a great time with the Tompsett"s and went back to their apartment on the golf course, where all the girls had a bath and Sophie dumped Hazel with several bags of washing. (Hazel obligingly acted as the washer women).
Once the Tompsett's left , we got the water maker fixed at a great price and had to wait days for bits etc.
Finally we went to Ibiza, of famous clubbing fame, but we found some great quiet anchorages, and we really enjoyed Isla Espalmador, with its golden sandy Beach, sand dunes and mud baths. looking back we wished we had more time in the middle of the summer in the Baleares, as we feel there were some great places and we only really scratched the surface.

Here are some pictures from our summer

The Girls are starting to sail the OPI.
We have seen some great sun sets

Both Sophie and I are scared of heights so we make the kids go up the mast