Shake Down Cruise - Croatia -Gibraltar

We are now all signed up to the Blue Water Rally which starts from Gibraltar on 30th October this year. As part of our preparation I decided Stephen and I would take the boat from Croatia in three legs, each involving about five days sailing, to give us time to test ourselves, the boat and the systems.

Before leaving we had a last month in Croatia, where we have had two happy seasons and made many friends. The boat was prepared and relaunched with two good coats of antifouling which I expect to last to Australia......

Farewells were said and last visits to the charming town of Primosten were made. We spent another evening on the hill above Primosten at the Santa Marina restaurant, where the sun setting over the hundreds of islands in the Kornati is an experience we will never forget.

As we left Kremik for the last time we sailed out to Vis for a last look and enjoyed watching a herd of goats who had escaped and were marauding in the gardens of some local villas, as they walked over the roofs, we laughed, unable to do anything to stop them, though I doubt the owner of the garden will find it funny when he next returns.

Our first stop was Malta, which was very impressive but sadly run down. The bastions of Fort St. Elmo are magnificent but the public are excluded from visiting the castle and no where near enough is being done to maintain or explain the history of the Island. On the plus side, the ancient busses are cheap, beautifully maintained and a very efficient way of getting about.

Work was in hand in Mdina, the old capital of the island, and maybe in a year or two it will be a rewarding experience.

Mdina, inside the walls is beautiful if you can avoid the work in progress, but we were quite glad to be moving on........................

To Sardinia, where the contrast of greenery and friendlyness to the drab stone and overcrowding of Malta was stark.

We thought the island was lovely but there were no yacht facilities and after a few days, but not before we had met up with Francis and Bill Shaw and crew, en route for the UK, we were under way again.

This time to Menorca where we had a short visit to Mahon and Cala Fornells, which we decided looked at its best at night!

Before the days run to Majorca where we met with Sue and Gill again.

We spent two days in Palma which is a lovely city with a particularly impressive cathedral. Whilst there we met with Pat and Keith Boothby in their new Menorcan motor yacht, and enjoyed some meals out with them.

The Old town has beautiful shady streets where you can stroll, and it is cool even in the middle of the day.

After a few days cruising round Majorca and Iles Cabrera, Gill and Sue returned home and Stephen and I continued to Gibraltar where we have left Spirit of Affric ready for October.......

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