39 25.3 N 003 15.9 E Porto Colom, Friday 3rd September

Thursday - well, plans a bit adrift. Again winds all over the place and not quite as expected. Made our way south, sailing some, motorsailing a lot (good test of the next filter having given the fuel one mega treatment so far), no matter what direction we went, wind on nose. Except approaching Porto Christo it was easterly, the entrance is narrow and faces east, but reputedly sheltered inside. However we got there c 6pm and the entrance was very narrow and like a washing machine, we got half way in, could see a few brave boats at anchor near beach pitching like nobody's business, so we turned right round and headed out. Mindful of dodgy engines, didn't want to be corkscrewing around with little space and not enough drive in sails to get us out of trouble if need be.

On for another 10 miles to Porto Colom (were going to come on here anyway later). Friends have said this was their favourite bay in all Mallorca. The entrance was choppy also, but we could see a clear demarcation line beyond which was calm water and lots of space. We were one of four boats coming in, the only ones with sails up, however, we had those down and thankfully dropped anchor first by 8pm and spent the evening in a balmy cockpit eyeing the neighbours. German boats, British, Dutch, French & Spanish. And today, Porto Colom, old town and new, not swanky marinas, just a little town and sheltered bay. Very nice. But to claim as an all time favourite, for us no. We prefer the wild and wonderful of Foradada or the quirky Soller, or San Telmo. But then if everyone did, there wouldn't be room for us! And they are all so much bigger than us. Still don't have a complex, honestly!

Heading back up north, would like to have another go at Porto Cristo and the caves tomorrow. And then on up to Formentor, to the Posidonia buoys we should have landed at first. And from there to Menorca. Watch weather for that one. Hot and sunny now, and quite breezy and choppy in wrong direction.

Postscript: Never did get to P Cristo, or caves, next blog will be put up from Menorca..... Will put Mallorca to bed then..