Hiding from the “storm” - Es Torrent, Ibiza

Julie

The dark clouds are chasing us, pushing us to race for the bay before the storm catches up. At first, we try under sail, but soon switch on the engine to gain just a little more speed. To my own surprise, I feel oddly calm. The sky doesn't look as menacing as I expected, so I’m not too concerned about the forecasted 60+ knots. My eyes stay locked on the outlines of Ibiza, growing steadily closer. The first raindrops start to fall and distant thunder rolls across the sky. Greg is up on the foredeck, getting the anchor ready before the rain turns into a downpour. Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I catch a bright flash of lightning slicing straight down, close by. My heart skips a beat. Lightning at sea, it always sends a shiver through me. Thankfully, we’re closing in on the bay now, our safe haven, or at least that’s how it feels. I swallow the knot of tension in my throat and prepare for the anchoring manoeuvre. By now, the rain is coming down like a waterfall, drenching everything in sight. The bay is packed with boats. We spot Stevie and Léon’s boat from @sailing.wild.pear and decide to anchor nearby. It’s always comforting to be close to people you know, even if it’s only through social media. We let out plenty of chain, making sure the anchor is set firmly, then hurry inside. Inside, it feels cozy, almost like being on the canals in France. Wet rain gear hangs everywhere and the gentle patter of raindrops on the deck fills the air. The wind, thankfully, never arrives and even the thunder seems to fade into silence. I climb into bed with Nelly and Finn and soon, I’m fast asleep. An hour later, I wake up with sunlight warming my face. I can hear Greg chatting outside and see Stevie and Léon in their dinghy, bobbing next to us. After only knowing them online, we finally meet in person. The sky is once again a perfect blue and as if nothing had happened, people are diving into the water, soaking up the sunshine. That evening, we decide to take the dinghy out for a sunset cruise around the bay. We marvel at the beautiful villas perched on the cliffs, soaking in the laid-back, easygoing vibe that surrounds us. We don’t stay long, though; tomorrow, we sail back to Formentera.

Boat & Crew

El Burro

Swallow Craft Design Group, Swift 33

Gregory Ramis Ferriol

Owner

Finn

Pet, Male

Nelly

Pet, Female

Julie

Owner