Day No. 183 / 184 - Windward and leeward - Benirrás and Caló de s'Illa

"Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it." - Winston Churchill

You either like wind or you don't. - I don't think there's much in between. - The best way to describe our relationship with the wind is windward and leeward. - While I turn towards the wind, Torgit turns away, which means I like the wind and Torgit doesn't like it. - So it's probably more my weather. Because the last two days are mainly characterized by wind. It literally sweeps across the island. On the beach, the sand is swept up into the air and carried far away. - But the wind changes the sea in particular. - The waves whip across the sea. - The rougher the sea, the more I like the sea. - Torgit just looks at me uncomprehendingly at such words. While I like bracing myself against the wind, she prefers to look for a sheltered spot. 

But as the saying goes? Ladies first, or does that mean leeward before windward, so we spent yesterday at Cala Benirrás, but looked for a small, sunny and, above all, sheltered corner between the boathouses. It's nice to have a day of reading, isn't it?

I am therefore glad that Gironimo suggests a short hike along the coast for today. About 500 meters above Cala Benirrás, a stony path almost three kilometers long leads us up to the 189-metre-high Puig des Guixar. The path is initially lined with olive trees and pine trees. But the rockier it gets, the more heather and herbs take over. Torgit and I enjoy communicating with Gironimo in English. - Especially for me, who has only ever used English on vacation, this is good training. - As soon as we reach the top, we're already winding our way back down to Caló de s'Illa - 39°05'57.6″N 1°27'55.5″E. - On the way down, there's an old, rusty car wreck on the slope. I have no idea how this vehicle ever made it up here. - The small, secluded bay to which we descend lies in a rugged stretch of coastline. The beach is bordered by cliffs and a few pine trees. From the cliff above the beach you have a great view of the rocky islands of S'Escull, Sa Paella and Illa d'en Calder. - The same old fishing sheds with ramps for pulling boats out of the sea can be found here as in Cala Benirrás. - I climb a little over the cliff, brace myself against the wind and the spray. But then it's clear that I have to bring my girl back, back into the lee. - What would we be without our opposites? But for now, it's back to Benirrás and Hector.

Torgit's note: We actually went back because Gironimo wanted to pick up the children from school. But I like to make my prince feel like he saved me. Or did he just want to get to the supermarket quicker and buy some salami? 😉

As our water supplies are running low, we decide to drive to Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera again in the afternoon. Once we have replenished our water supply, we decide to stop off at Pizzeria Zeno - 38°59'51.7″N 1°25'48.1″E. - This spontaneous visit turns out to be an excellent choice. The location is cozy inside and out, the service is very courteous and the pizza is delicious. - When the espresso tastes like an Italian in Sicily, I'm happy.

Maybe it's because of the resulting carelessness that I miss the turn towards Benirrás on the way back.

Wasn't there another turning? I stop at the next turning. Turn around or look for an alternative. - I simply ask my co-pilot. - She promptly offers an alternative route. - After all, we want to explore something new. So we choose the alternative. After a short drive, the road turns into gravel and then it's downhill over rocky ground. As we see the occasional finca, I am reassured. But the road becomes narrower and more steep. In any case, it is no longer possible to turn around. At some point, Torgit gets out and leads the way. - In the end, everything was just right. I praise my co-pilot for her excellent choice of route. - Instead of an answer, I get a scolding. I don't understand women. Either way, I thought the route was brilliant 😉.