First day at anchor Cala Galdana Menorca

We had good winds crossing from Mallorca to Menorca. Second half of passage the wind dropped off and we used our Code Zero to maintain five knots. The swell was just over a metre and dropping as we approached Cala Galdana. We found out later that the boats already at anchor had been bounced around in 2 metre swell the previous night. We used the kedge (Popeye) anchor again and have been sitting pretty. The main problem here is not the wind or swell; it's the charter boat 'sailors' and I use the term loosely. For the most part they are a nuisance, they have no clue what they are doing - this means everyone else has to be on constant alert because of their antics. The first morning three yachts dragged anchors and caused alarm to their neigbours. Just across from us we watched this debacle unfold between a French yacht ( anchored properly) and a charter 'sailor' with a Catamaran and a problem:

The dingy is acting as another fender! Eventually the french yacht had to up anchor and motored around the harbour while the Catamaran crew tried to untangle their anchor from another one. They came over to us and asked for bolt cutters saying they were going to cut the other anchor chain to free themselves ( can you believe this?). They asked Greg to help them : 'No way are you cutting someone elses chain,' says Greg. He then hops in the dingy to see if he can help free them.

Greg (in hat) and charter 'sailor '. Eventually the chains are unlocked, the Catamaran sails off to create havoc someplace else and the French yacht returns to re-anchor! At lunchtime the French couple, Thierry and Mary, invite us onboard for a good glass of French wine :O) Such fun communicating in pigeon French, but as you know - a smile and a good intentions go a long way :O)

Thierry et Mary on SY Anahita

Galdana bay on the south coast of Menorca.

Lerryn Lady at anchor in Cala Galdana ( on left picture) see the orange trip line buoy behind us for the kedge anchor. The main boom is out to Port to keep shadows off the solar panels. Greg has since rigged them up on top the Mizzen boom.

And just so you know I am not just sitting in the sun - I made these courtesy flags for the next two legs of our journey - Sardinia, Sicily and Greece :O)