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 .