Back in 2007 when i attempted to paddle around Mallorca with good friend Pete Evans, we climbed a lot together, managing 2 weeks in the French alp's and even sailed across the English Channel but never done the sea kayaking thing together. Well we had some mixed and mainly bad weather and we run out of time but we did manage to paddle the North coast. Which is truly amazing!!
So when i was talking with Barry Shaw about my initial thoughts about a solo trip he was interested and suggested the Balearic's. I didn't need much convincing and over the next week or so, as we created a plan.
It was over 1500m drive and two ferries (2 hours and then 8 or so). We decided to go for Dover to Dunkirk and drive through France to Spain and get the 2nd ferry from Barcelona to Alcudia on Mallorca as it was 100 euros cheaper. We left at 0500 on the Saturday and arrived on the Monday morning at 0500, and looked for someway to park up and wait for the morning to begin!
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| Driving on down and some super cloud formations |
Now with over 400 photos, yep ... its difficult to decide on those that paint our story. So Ive done my best and hope you enjoy our adventure. I'll try and keep the words to a minimum!!
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| We started on the SW side of the most Southerly point and this was our first lighthouse of many!! |
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Thankfully we explored and stopped at this small Cala, which made for a perfect
nights camp and with enough time to dry kit! |
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| As we moved up the East coast (were going anti clockwise), we had some super assistance form the wind. |
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| Honestly it is that kind of blue ... |
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| This magic blow hole was so much fun ... |
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Day 2 had been a long day. Not through choice, just that we couldn't find a wild enough camp.
Time to be up early then!! |
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The variety and colour along the coast was fantastic
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| just had to be done! |
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| having a floating break before crossing the bay of Alcudia |
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| Whoop, whoop... Cap de Formentor, the most Northerly point |
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| As the North coast unfolds, it was time to look for a camp! |
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| Do your stuff Mr Baz Dundee.... |
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| Cala Figuera and my trusted kit! |
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| Next morning was chilly and atmospheric!! |
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| Heading for Cala Sant Vincent for more water |
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Just leaving Cala Sant Vincent, in an increasing swell and wind ... we turned back, due to the next section of coastline was to be the most committing, with no landing until Sa Calobra, which even then we were unsure about.
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| The next day, rest and ready |
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| The morning sun really brought the coast alive ... |
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| We had a gentler increasing wind on our backs and smiled our way along the coastline ... |
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| Entrance to Torrent de Pareis |
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| Just trying to capture the height!! |
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| The cost was that good ;) |
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| Getting a fly by with a large flock of Shearwater's -it was such a great sweep through |
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| One of many we passed along the way |
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| Now on the SW side and on the way to the Bay of Palma! |
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| We found it ... just a little to close to Magaluf! |
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| Beautiful start to the next day, although 45 minutes into the crossing and the wind suddenly increased to Bf4 -5 the f5 gusting f6, offer and out of the bay!! Thank fully 1 hour latter the aggressive front had passed ... |
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| We can get this at home ... |
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| Final on the water lunch ... |
Seven days in total which wasn't through choice. It was difficult to find wild camp spots and we found out afterwards, you can get fined for wild camping!
We made the distance to be 280km although we tended to go from headland to headland and overall we were fairly lucky with being able to do that
And nice one Barry - thanks for the company ;)
Roger
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| Having a good run along the coast in my Cetus ... |
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| Claa Sant Vincent and a 4km loop before returning ... |
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| Landing in Cala Sant Vincent |
