40 33.6N 08 018.6E

ALGHERO

Monday 8^th June

We arrived here this afternoon after a fairly uneventful passage from Menorca. We had to delay the start due to a fierce electrical storm that hit us as we were preparing to cast off the buoy at Fornells. However by 0730 we were underway and motored out of the bay into a rather sloppy sea with a swell coming from the NW and not much wind to push us through it. We started our 4 hour watch pattern straight away and kept this up all the way across. There was very little to see – 3 ships, a few dolphins and some butterflies! We did get a cracking sail early this morning for  few a hours when the wind went round to the SSE and upped to 9 knots so will a full jib out we averaged 7.5 knots for a while. But most of the trip was done with the engine on to boost the sails. For those that have read previous blogs you will be pleased to know that the jib and new forestay performed well so we hope that is the end of that saga.

We explored this town (founded in the 12^th century) late afternoon and were very impressed – the old part is almost enclosed inside walls which date back to the 14^th century and there is a very Spanish feel to it as much was developed when the Catalan king Pedro 1V conquered it. There are tiny narrow streets and shops set in tunnels on the inside of the walls. We plan to do a bit more sightseeing before we leave tomorrow.

Above shows the town quay mooring facility with the old walls in the back ground. We were moored in Aquatica marina in the background beyond the large power boat – charges much the same but this has showers included in the price.

We are heading off to the north of the island tomorrow – it will be nice to just potter along for a couple of weeks!