Treleavens' Travels

by Andrea Treleaven on 3 Jun 2004 Hi to all from Malta,

As Doctor Ian ordered, the wind came in from the north west on Friday May 29th, and we set sail for Malta from Monastir, Tunisia. The boat has been polished and water blasted - called cheap labour.

For those who are interested, we visited a new marina in Hammamet called Jasman. It’s a bit more expensive but very clean and professionally run.

Could be an option for us to leave the boat here, leaving the boat in the water, as it’s flushed out every three days. We are very impressed by all the marinas that are being built along all the coasts, not only to accommodate the boats but it also creates more villages.

If only our coast could have more marinas we could have a much bigger boating industry life style for the people and tourism.

Leaving Tunisia, we are chased by the coast guard and circled, they make contact and all is well. I’m not sure why the whole custom and police thing is such a fuss, but we put it down to filling in their day.

Our crossing is 190 miles east to Malta and takes us 26 hours, two sail reaching (I am getting good at this). One little hiccup on the way when we had no wind, so decided to motor, only to find we weren’t pumping water.

One new impeller later and a very squirmish husband, the wind fills in and it’s a fast trip. Weather ‘forecast uoa.com’ has been fantastic and is very accurate. We are intrigued to hear through the night on the VHF radio the US war ships in the area. They know your speed and position - and if it's you they call, they may need you to alter course, or just to know who you are.

Malta from the distance looks like a concrete jungle, but once inside its double harbours, it is really beautiful and at last it is hot. It’s the first of the World Championship offshore powerboat races and its all noise; we are back in the fast lane.

We moor along side g-string clad beautiful German girls and Ian knows he’s finally made it. If she keeps bending over and washing the decks we will have to move. Ian’s nose is glued to the inside of our porthole.

Nick and Michelle are now on board and we sight see for a day, visiting Valletta inside the fortified walled harbours. With far too much history to understand it’s recommended you see the ‘The Malta Experience’ a visual film.

You pass through time of sieges, decadence and famine. Also the mix of different nationalities and architecture makes this island very interesting.

Restaurant Grabiel is the ultimate seafood dinner and finishes with Averma, a coca cola tasting after dinner Maltese liqueur.

Malta has been a pleasant surprise and we may even decide to leave the boat here. The fact they speak English and have everything available for yachts you can imagine helps. Ian is in seventh heaven when it comes to those nautical shops.

Last night we were anchored in a bay, Blue Lagoon, on the island of Comino, a small island between the two bigger islands overlooking Gozo.

It certainly lives up to its name and we may even attempt a swim. Just to rub it in, it’s turquoise crystal clear, blue sky and sandstone coloured surroundings. We woke this morning to the sound of church bells peeling.

Today we leave for Crete, a 470 miles non-stop three nights and two day trip.

Looking very much like a spinnaker run and four of us - and if that’s the case I will probably enjoy it.

Until Crete

Andrea and Ian