Model ship building and the crafting of miniature boats to scale and by hand must be a fascinating, creative and satisfying hobby. I couldn’t do it; I have neither the skills nor the patience to embark on such a task. But I do admire the craftsmen who indulge in this hobby and master this passion.

At the Mostra Nàutica i Fira Gastronòmica de la Sípia in Alcúdia, today and tomorrow, you will see plenty of hand crafted miniature boats, some of them made for sheer craftsmanship and others modelled for exhibition in radio controlled competitions. There will be life-size boats as well, Llaüts and traditional Vela Llatinas, plus a maritime search and rescue vessel of the Spanish Marine. The weather forecast promises another summery day today, with a few clouds but blue skies forecast for tomorrow. There will also be a gastronomic event dedicated to the merits of sepia (cuttlefish, Catalan: Sípia). I would recommend a visit even though I won’t go myself this year. I’ll be heading for Porreres instead, where a Diada d’Agricultura Ecològica (market for ecologically farmed produce) is scheduled for tomorrow, April 10th, or possibly to Sant Joan, where a Fira Artesanal, Industrial, Agrícola i Ramadera (market for craft, agriculture and livestock) is announced, also for tomorrow.

There’s always so much to choose from.

The photo was chosen from my archive. It was taken in Alcúdia, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: April 5th, 2009. The time was 14:29:48.