5 days later than originally planned we set sail once again in the direction of Fornells. It was not flat calm but way calmer than when we’d previously departed. The sun was finally shining once again and inside the shelter of the harbour it felt really hot. We had a morning motor sail round the north coast of Menorca thanks to stronger than anticipated winds which were against us. We had our mainsail out which also provided welcome shade on deck once again. We arrived in Fornells early afternoon and had a tricky manoeuvre to get into our spot since there is very little warning of where the spaces are. There was also a buoy half way across the channel and super long lazy lines (the lines that secure the boat) Skipper Nigel once again took it all in his stride and brought us in perfectly.
The following day it was a little cloudy in the morning (although it soon cleared) and I jumped on the chance of taking a longer coastal walk. Fornells is a very well defended harbour and I visited the Torre de Fornells on the way too. The views are absolutely stunning.
After the tower I continued along the amazing coastline, it was a fabulous walk and one I’d love to repeat sometime.
The weather remained quite windy and choppy and the following day’s walk took me along a pine tree lined road to a holiday resort/urbanisation called Platges de Fornells. Once again I am impressed and amazed by the lack of development here – and also by the fact that where there are developments they seem to be fairly unobtrusive. I don’t think we’ve seen a building higher than a couple of stories and just about everything residential is white with green shutters. There are vast expanses of rural, untouched land too.
Even along the shoreline here there is farmland, it strikes me that anywhere else in Spain this would have been built on. It makes Fornells seem like stepping back in time.
Google tells me that only a thousand or so people live here although I suspect that might double in the summer months. The little village is really pretty and we are having a very relaxing time here. Our mooring spot is right next to two tourist boats which we love watching going out and returning (their occupants almost always a little sunburnt and exhausted). As it’s a fishing port we also watch the fishing boats go out and return at various times of the day. Across the bay from us is a kayak rental place and we have great fun watching people head our into the choppy waters of the bay. We’ve enjoyed all this over breakfast aboard – the local bakery is brilliant.
On top of all that excitement they are building a new port office and pontoon right opposite us so we have been eagerly watching progress while we’ve been here. It’s odd to think next time we’re here it will probably all be finished and the place will have a different aspect completely.
We have had a great time here – tomorrow is moving on day and we look forward to the next step on our journey this jubilee weekend (enjoy those street parties)….I’ll leave you with a photo taken by Skipper Nigel of his new friend here.
The Adventures of Gemini J 