Cruising
At May First Friday we were treated to a great presentation on the Whitsundays by Jim and Anne Rennie. This was in conjunction with the‘ Farewell’ to those participating in the Sesquicentennial Coral Coast 2017 cruise.
Seventeen boats- Barrenjoey Light, Jacks Back, Nova, Billabong, Unruffled, Southern Belle, Meri Tuuli, Echo Beach, Dalwhinnie, Victory, Ngak Ngak, Isabella, Passport, Hypnotic, Whisky Business, Jazzamatazz and Nirvana’ s Kitchen- are now heading off with the furthest point north being Dunk Island. There are rendezvous meet-ups arranged at regular intervals as boats gather up and down the Coral Coast.
Over the last 6 months, in preparation for the cruise, we have had seminars on Electrical Maintenance, Marine Diesel Maintenance, Navigation and Seamanship, and Hunting and Gathering. On behalf of all those going on the cruise I would like to thank Rob Starkey, Ann Asker, Shane Douglas and Neil Edwards for their time and effort.
The majority of the cruise will be sailed shorthanded with two people usually as crew- just the skipper and their partner. Once again it’ s a testament to the sailing skills of the Alfred’ s cruisers. For those not able to go I encourage you to share the adventure with regular posts made on the Alfreds Cruising face book page. We will also have a monthly report on the club facebook page and the Club website.
The May cruise was led by David and Sonia Williams with their new boat Galadriel. Sonia arranged to take photos of all the boats sailing and, despite the light winds, we all have some great photos. Thanks to Sonia!
Over the long Queens Birthday weekend there will be a cruise down to Bobbin Head. Join in at any time over the three days – a great place to relax. Our next First Friday will be a Christmas in July with a twist or two!
Your Cruise Committee welcomes your feedback. We will shortly launch an online suggestion box. The Committee is Leon Wilson, Ann Asker, Judy Readman, Mark Stephens, Patrick Tansey, Greg Dunstan, Doug Coombes, John Groves and David Williams. Do you have any great ideas for First Friday speakers? Please let anyone on the Committee know!
Leon Wilson. Rear Commodore Cruising.
The Other Side of Mallorca
RPAYC Mallorca Yacht Rally 2018 – by Maggie Joyce of Mariner Boating Holidays
After a recent reconnaissance of Mallorca, where we circumnavigated the island on a 36ft monohull, Trevor and I were fortunate enough to encounter an authentic side to the largest of the Balearic Islands.
We discovered hidden villages and fortresses that were developed during the 16 th and 17 th centuries to withstand invasions by the marauding Barbary pirates. We were most taken by the picturesque towns of Andratx, Soller and Pollenca. Each town has a fishing port on the coast where we would anchor, and a few kilometres inland, were the old stone villages where the original inhabitants lived, hidden from view, in relative safety.
Today, these towns are renowned for the weekly markets which offer fresh produce from the region.
The town of Soller is set in an almost hidden valley. There is a famous train which brings people from the fishing port and an equally famous train that commences in Palma and terminates here. Each train is very well utilised as the narrow winding mountain roads in the area are often overrun with cars and bicycles, especially during high season. Our approach by yacht to the marinas on the coast and a short excursion to take us inland was so much easier and undeniably more enjoyable.
Pollenca is famous for the sprawling, 17 th century, clifftop villa‘ Sa-Fortaleza’, which was the set for the BBC TV series,‘ The Night Manager’. If you have watched this highly addictive series, you will recognise the villa as Richard Roper’ s residence! The estate now boasts six villas, two swimming pools and vast gardens. It is easily spotted from the bay. It was in that bay that we anchored our yacht and enjoyed a swim, imaging all the history and action that this coast has seen.
Mariner Boating Holidays and RPAYC are running a combined cruise in Mallorca from 5 to 21 July 2018. For more details contact Lauren at Mariner Boating Holidays on 02 9966 1244.