Hi all, On the 21st of September I took the ‘quick route’ and flew home to the UK to be with my wonderful Mom, who bravely…..with every ounce of her positive energy was dealing with her cancer.
Two of our good friends joined Tony to help him sail Tioram back to Spain and to enjoy some off shore sailing. Dominic sailed on board before, sailing for Gibraltar to the Canaries in 2009 and Tony E. had sailed on board in Sardinia. On 25th September, 11.00 hrs, the guys slipped lines from Cannigione and had a final swim in Porto Palma bay before heading out into the Bonifacio Straits and set sail for Menorca. At 11.30 hrs, 27th September, Tioram finally was tied to the marina in Mahon harbour, Menorca. Tony said that the last 24 hours into Mahon was very very tiring. They had large cross seas, lumpy and wind at night and in those cross conditions we know that the only safe way is to helm, the auto pilot wont cope or react to the cross seas…..so Tony without me to help on board and less experienced crew knew he needed to helm so that was for many hours though the night. We have experienced this before on this route, the course, the cross sea and nearing Mahon it builds. So after safely arriving the guys made the most of a day on dry land to explore the old town. All three guys having a good time.
On 29th September, the guys slipped lines from Menorca to head to Mallorca, flying the cruising shute in light winds, a good sail,, finally spending the night on a buoy in Porto Petro, Mallorca. 30th September sailed to anchor in Santa Ponsa, big night Tony E cooking after practising at home ha ha!!! Ist October sailed to Cala Portinax on Ibiza and anchored for the night. 2nd October sailed along the coast to San Antonio marina for the night. 3rd October sailed to Formentera to anchor off the beach for a few hours and a swim. (My) Tony swam to the shore and was amazingly confronted with an empty late season beach…..covered in pebble cairns. It seemed very poignant given how ill my mom was at home. Tony built a cairn of stones, but with only his swimming trunks on he didn’t have anything to leave. He realised he had his bead bracelets on his wrist, took them off and left them as part of the cairn to somehow symbolically ‘think’ of my Mom…. like a timeless prayer fo her.
Once all back on board and rested the guys set sail for the Spanish mainland arriving into La Azohia bay on 4th October to anchor for the night. On 5th October they finally tied up in Spain. The guys had a good time together, but sadly Tonys mind was elsewhere and he needed to get home asap. Dominic and Tony E were fab crew, had fun together and a good experience, both experiencing more off shore sailing……and Tony E cooking, much to the surprise of his family ha ha .
My Tony flew home as soon as was possible to join me and to thankfully…..I thank the universe….to spend my Moms last 24 hours by her side.
Thank you to Dominic and Tony E for helping make that possible.
We are pleased the guys enjoyed their trip……
Yacht Tioram sailing blog.....11 years sailing the seas and oceans. 