Jourdie Fremen and Nan Rowe came aboard in Porto San Antonio on the west coast of Ibiza. Nan is the partner of my long time friend, Anne Morris from Orange County, California, and Jourdie has been Nan's friend since college.
Jourdie and Nan
Nan is attracted to power boats and is considering buying a large one. She was curious about a "Fast" trawler and we started an email dialog with me saying, "A fast trawler is an oxymoron".
The conversation was about medium displacement (weight) trawlers like No Regrets which cruises at 9 to 10 knots, and light displacement trawlers that could get up on a plane and cruise at 15 to 20 knots.
I suggested that before buying a boat, Nan should take a bare boat charter or a cruise on a trawler to get a hands-on experience. When I invited her to join me in the Med. Damn if she didn't take me up on it!
And then Jourdie asked to come too, so my new crew of two lovely ladies from So Cal was formed.
Brave of them to take a chance on a 3 week boat voyage with an unknown pirate dude, and brave of me to take on an unknown and rookie crew.
David Wood was just leaving No Regrets from Ibiza for Ramsgate, England, as my new crew-mates came aboard. After enjoying David's skill, sailing experience and our tight teamwork after several thousand miles of sailing together, my new challenge was to teach, mentor and train two eager, but novice ladies into a competent team.
We spent several hours at the dock reviewing the safety gear, navigating, docking, and practicing knots and line handling.
"The boat weighs 80,000 lbs, so never put your body between the boat and any obstacle"... "We can repair the boat, but not fingers and arms!"... "Always get a wrap of the line around a cleat, because you can't hold her using just your arms."... "To tie off on a cleat, get a fairlead to the cleat, then one loop straight, one crossed, and then cinch it off."
Learning the "ropes"
Practicing knots
Pulling the pins for the stabilizers in the engine room
So we cast off and sailed around Ibiza into a terrific anchorage at Cala San Vicente.
Entry into the Cove
Lucky for our crew moral, Jourdie is a terrific cook and enjoyed making meals.
Another shitty dinner in paradise!
Mallorca
After a couple of days of living at anchor, we crossed the 50 miles over to the Island of Mallorca. The passage was smooth with light winds and a flat sea. But it was the 1st blue water passage for my crew and we celebrated crossing it in a lovely small harbor called Santa Ponsa.
Celebrating a successful virginal crossing
A view from Santa Ponsa
The next day, we sailed into Puerto de Palma de Mallorca. Set in a huge bay, Palma is with the largest city in the Balaric Islands and hosts the most private boats in the Mediterranean Sea. Some of them were the largest yachts that I have ever seen!
No regrets is only a dingy next to these yachts
They only need a crew of 12 to go out for a day sail
Palma is a fascinating and delightful old city with many wonderful and historic buildings.
The ancient cathedral anchors the City, being right on the water
Gaudi's altar Crown of Thorns in Palma. He will repeat this in Barcelona
A Miro sculpture frames the old town walls beyond.
Miro lived and worked in Palma
Magical city walks
With delightful surprises
Castillo de Believer was a castle and a prison since 1290
Now it hosts tourists, weddings and concerts
Harbor views from afar
Harbor views from near
And city views from the flybridge!
Isla de Cabrera is a nature preserve about 30 miles offshore from Palma. It is also very magical and secluded.
A reserved mooring is required to stay inside the Puerto Cabrera harbor
This old castle has protected the harbor since the 14th century
The view from the castle frames No Regrets on a mooring below
A reward for climbing up to the castle
A refreshing swim off the stern
There are hundreds of different calas, coves, ports and anchorages on the island of Mallorca. No wonder Mallorca is so popular in the summer. One could cruise here for a lifetime without becoming bored!
Passing time with jigsaw puzzles
And a Pirate's Bracelet
After 3 weeks of idealic Island cruising, it was time for the 100 mile passage back to the mainland and into Barcelona.
Porpoise, sunfish and a million jellyfish entertained us on the 12 hour voyage to Barcelona
Friends for life after a fabulous cruise together.
Thank you Ladies!
Barcelona
I have always wanted to visit Barcelona. And now I get to live here for 3 months. This is my new home!
Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Cathedral dominates Barcelona
The grey parts in this model are finished.
The sand color parts are still still being added
Their goal is to finish the cathedral in 8 more years to mark the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death. 8 of the towers are completed with 10 still remaining to be built.
Sagadra Familia is the 2nd most impressive thing I have ever see.
It is absolutly Fabulous!
A masterpiece sand drip castle on the Nativity Facade
Cubist sculptures on the Passion Facade
A forest of trees inside
A stunning display of light and shadows
Eye Candy everywhere
Fanciful use of ceramic tiles
Go Gaudi Go !!!
Another Crown of Thorns altar piece
Nancy Schreiber sharing a love for all things Gaudi
Casa Mila, or La Pedrera, the "Quarry"
Other worldly roof chimneys
Some made from champagne bottles
Framing one Gaudi building from another
Brick arches in the Attic supporting the roof
Drake and Meredith enjoying Barcelona with me;
Card games, tapas and World Cup football... Ole!
Watched Bizet's "Carmen" under this skylight in the Pau de Musica
Another Art Nouveau masterpiece
Muses behind the orchestra
La Boqueria market on La Rambla
Salvador Dali's Museum in Figueres
Surreal
Interesting
Bizarre
An umbrella store sign
The Catalonian Separatist movement is alive but outlawed
The Olympic Flame from the 1992 Games
Port Olimpic, a harbor built for the Olympic Sailing Competitions
No Regrets has been stationary, like a hotel for 3 months. And now I am ready to cast off the bow slime lines, and move on up into France, Corsica, Elba and Sardinia.
Muchas gracias Barcelona, for letting me live here!
Adios-
