Ragusa

Tuesday 27

Left Licata where the staff were so friendly and our departure was slightly delayed while we waited for the man in the chandlers to bring us a 'present' which was a t-shirt each - nowhere have we been so looked after. We had decided to leave for Marina di Ragusa despite the weather forecast as we thought it would be better to be at the point where we wanted to cross to Malta. Initially although it was overcast the sky was not looking particularly threatening. The Captain had estimated a five hour trip. Less than half way across a large bay the sky in front of us changed from not looking threatening to completely black. Panic began to set in and we put everything away we could possibly think of - the Captain even went forward to tie down the dinghy which sits on the front deck. He did ask if I wanted to turn and go back but there didnt seem much point to me and we were never going to out run the storm at about 7knots. I have to admit to feeling a little frightened but in the end although the storm was directly above us and we were heading into the wind so lost even more speed it was actually not too bad and Sequel was wonderful. We were however very relieved when we finally arrived at Marina di Ragusa. Another huge fairly new marina but nothing like as friendly as Licata and there seems to be a problem with flying ants!

Anyway did our sightseeing trip to Ragusa today and thoroughly enjoyed that and are off to try a restaurant on the beach tonight recommended by a very nice Belgium couple on the boat next to us.

Sciacca in the sunset with fishing boats

Sunday 25 September
In all we had five nights at Palermo and the Captain cheered up when he managed to reduce the marina price by 15% - it was still more than we have paid anywhere. And it reminded us of a cryptic comment Bruce had received by email on MedNet 'you will find the difference between the prices in Sardinia and Sicily amusing' - naively we thought Sicily was going to be cheaper. I have also decided I quite like the French (apologies to my son-in-law and my lovely French friend, Michele).
We had a lovely evening at the grand hotel and enjoyed our trip to the beach in the hotel bus on Thursday and we even managed some more sightseeing in Palermo but absolutely appalled by the filth and rubbish everywhere and whereas normally the old part of any city is the most fascinating in this case it was poverty stricken and squalid.
Set sail again on Friday morning, after our lovely crew left us, back towards Trapani and spent the night at San Vito lo Capo where, if you can believe this, an international couscous festival was taking place. And the first town we have visited that was clean and tidy, but also heaving with people enjoying the festival, and with reportedly one of the best beaches in Sicilia, which needless to say was hard to spot for sunbeds, umbrellas and bodies.
Saturday night was spent in Marsala. A kind Frenchman gave us a lift to a supermarket to buy provisions, and a bottle of Marsala of course, but without Wally we didnt have any enthusiasm for exploring and the guide book didnt rate it very highly anyway.
Left this morning for Sciacca and arrived in rain and a strong southerly wind which made mooring the boat very 'interesting' and I am sure Heather will be very pleased she missed it. We very much liked the look of Sciacca but being Sunday evening everything was closed. The Captain thought it was rather clever of him to have avoided any shopping. The harbour was absolutely full of large fishing boats and we spent the night rocking and rolling as they went out and came back in again.

Monday 26

Took us just over 7 hours to get to Licata and a beautiful day again until now. It is absolutely tipping down but we are in a new marina where they have been so helpful and it has been such a refreshing change. AND we have wifi for the first time since Olbia so I am very happy and a great supermarket no distance away. I have just been looking at the forecast for the next few days which does not look particularly promising for our crossing to Malta until Friday. We were planning to get to Ragusa by Tuesday from where we will cross to Malta. Ragusa town (20km from marina in land) is a UNESCO world heritage site and we are planning to make a trip there.

Sardinia to Sicily

Leaving Trapani on Sunday morning

Sardinia to Sicily - Friday 16 September
We left Villasimius at noon on Friday slightly anxious but also excited and had about seven and a half hours of day light before the sun slid into the sea like an enormous red ball. There was a period of complete darkness while we waited for the moon to rise, which was quite unnerving, but we were rewarded shortly after nine p.m. when it did appear and then being approximately three-quarters full, although waning, gave a very assuring path of light. We hardly saw any other boats but two that we did see were enormous cargo ships of about 350metres in length, one of which was going to Bristol. On my watch, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., I saw a couple of sailing boats but too far away to be a problem. Needless to say the only time I really wanted to go to sleep was when I was on watch. The lack of sleep is like having the worst hangover without having had anything to drink and we spent most of Saturday feeling rough, and hungry, but were very pleased that we arrived safely in Trapani on the east tip of Sicily at 9 a.m. without any mishaps and very reasonable conditions.
Sunday 18
We had to move on by 9 a.m. on Sunday as the forecast was not looking favourable for the next few days and we were mindful of being in Palermo for the end of the week for Matt & Heather's flight home. The Captain and I were ready to go on time and the crew emerged as we were letting go of the lines. Unfortunately I had let go of the 'lazy' line at the bow and it had caught on the anchor and then to add to the excitement as the Captain moved the boat forward the lazy line from the sailing boat on our starboard side got caught around the stabilizer. We were berthed between a beautiful sailing boat of about 25 metres on the port side and the sailing boat on the starboard side was about the same size as us, a charter boat with about 8 Italians on board who had arrived on Saturday evening. So we all did what you do in Italy which is shout. We shouted at each other, we shouted at the crew on the charter boat and we shouted at Chris, the marina man, in his dinghy - all at the same time. Fortunately one of the crew on the beautiful sailing boat spoke English and he managed to translate for us - the Captain reversed Sequel, the charter boat let go of the lazy line and it let go of the stabilizer. We learnt a new Italian word - 'stablisario'. By the time we went forward again there was a large crowd waving us goodbye.

And then we had a lovely relaxed very warm trip to Palermo. We are in a marina outside of the city which is very quiet and from the boat the town looks inviting. But it is absolutely filthy and so much rubbish everywhere.

We had a lovely dinner cooked by the crew and woke up on Monday feeling like we had crossed from Sardinia to Sicily again. The Captain said it was the second bottle of wine that had given him a headache, not the third one.

Monday 19
The Captain and I sat on deck having our morning tea watching the sky get blacker and blacker. I suggested to the Captain that if it rained enough it would wash the salt off the boat and save him a job. He replied that it would have to be really heavy to do so - and it was. There is now no salt on the boat anywhere and there were very nearly no cushions on the back seats either. Fortunately by the afternoon it was fine enough to set forth to do some sightseeing with Wally (aka Matt) leading us all over Palermo and its many churches,

Tuesday 20
Very heavy rain again over night and early this morning but sunny again now and the crew have just arrived back with some provisions. Keeps raining on and off but enjoying a lazy day. Have been up to the hotel over looking the marina which is very grand and have booked in for dinner tomorrow night and to use the hotel shuttle to get to the beach on Thursday. All very happy with that and possibly some more sightseeing as well tomorrow before the crew leave on Friday.

Villasimius to Cagliari and back to Villasimius

Three hours from Villasimius to Cagliari and we saw dolphins - very excited. Not so excited by marina at Cagliari which was possibly the most run down of any we have stayed in and the rubbish bins consisted on an old supermarket trolley! It was very hot and the walk to the nearest supermarket seemed like miles and then it wasnt brilliant when we got there - bit grumpy to say the least. But Ryanair arrived on time on Wednesday with the extra crew members. We were very pleased to see them until Matt made us walk back into town and then all the way up to the top of the citadel in about 30 degrees of afternoon sunshine for a bit of culture - which we did actually enjoy very much and in particular the gin and tonic when we got back into the lower town again.

We are now back in Villasimius, but no dolphins this time, and the crew are on the beach.

Tomorrow we set off for Sicily - very excited, if a little apprehensive as it will be our first night passage. The moon has been brilliant for the last few nights so we are hoping for a cloudless sky and some help from that quarter. The Captain has been completely perplexed by the fact that whatever direction we seem to set off in, the wind is blowing towards us - although apart from at the beginning it has not been too bad - famous last words? I hope not.

Wifi access has been rubbish and I am using the computer in the marina office so no photographs - hoping for better access in Sicily but somehow doubt it.

Villasimius

Friday 09 September

Had a good passage to La Caletta. Having studied the pilot book before we left we knew that there were berths available on a T pontoon but were informed that in a strong southerly this would be uncomfortable. The Captain scoffed saying the only direction the wind had blown in all the time we have been in Sardinia was from the west or north-west. But you have guessed it already - we were only half way there when the wind picked up from the south and by the time we got to the top of the T pontoon it was blowing quite strongly. I know I said I wasnt going to go on about the wind but it is impossible not to. Anyway we helped ourselves to a berth and were then told we could stay there but no water or electricity were available to us - it was there, but we couldnt have it. The upside was that it didnt cost anything to stay the night which made the Captain's day as Olbia marina was 125 euros a night.

Saturday - Sainta Maria Navaresse - which was lovely and we even managed a meal out.

Sunday - Porto Corallo - huge marina, but no other facilities - weather still hot and wind blowing from the south.

Monday - Villasimius - another huge marina now on the south coast of Sardinia not far from Cagliari - but everything already closed for the season.

On to Cagliari tomorrow and hopefully a supermarket - provisions running low and Matt & Heather arriving on Wednesday.

Olbia to La Caletta

Tuesday 06 September

Left a very grey, wet and windy England having travelled from Brockenhurst to Gatwick Airport via Chichester and Horsham by rail, which in a strange way we quite enjoyed. Had a good flight arriving more or less on time to 29 degrees and sunshine and blue skies - what a contrast!

Sequel looked a little forlorn waiting for our return but all seemed to be in order until the Captain spotted that the bimini had been taken down in such a way that a crucial fitting on each side had been completely snapped off. Marco, lovely young Italian engineer, rushed off to see what he could do and we waited patiently (after a while not so patiently) to be put back in the water. As somone has said to us the Sardinians are lovely people but are in no hurry to do anything. By 6.30 p.m. Sequel was finally back in the water but by this time completely dehydrated, starving and quite tired (thats us,not the boat) after our 5.15 a.m. start to the day. We were revived by a walk into the town for food and wine - and some water, of course.

On Wednesday we moved back to Marina di Olbia, after waiting until late morning for bimini fittings to arrive, where we had stayed in June and for the engine service by Mark, the dutchman, on Thursday. Mark had said this would take him about 2 hours - Ha! How many times have I been told 'it will only take 10 minutes' to be waiting hours later - it took both him and the Captain 5 hours and then some when the Captaiin recalled he wanted to do another crucial bit of servicing. But no problem I sat in the sunshine all day reading and trying to sort out my internet - which probably took 5 hours as well.

Now Friday morning and absolutely clear blue sky and NO blowy stuff (said I wouldnt mention the W word) so we are off down the east coast to La Caletta - about 4 hours away.

So I am now under starters orders - the engines are on and I have to go and run round the deck taking off the lines. But no, hang on - error signal on starboard engine - so lets see how long this takes to sort out.

Sequel from Sardinia to Malta for the Winter

Monday 05 September 2011

Posting this from home when I should probably be finishing the packing but we are off early tomorrow morning for four weeks and our plan is to leave Olbia in Sardinia by the weekend, all being well and after Sequel has had an engine service. You are possibly thinking that maybe we should have arranged for that to be done before we returned to Sardinia but the shipyard in which she is in wanted an arm and a leg for doing so and we have found a very nice Dutchman who will do it for just an arm when she is back in the water which is probably the best time anyway.  We are heading for Cagliari on the south coast of Sardinia where we are being joined again by our first crew from earlier in the year, Matt & Heather, on 14 September.

We need the extra crew to accompany us across from Sardinia to Sicily which will take us about 24 hours and they are staying with us until Friday 23. 

Our plan then is to get to Malta by 03 October where we have organised for the boat to be taken out of the water for the winter and we hope to return home on Tuesday 04 October.  Knowing us we will probably make it to Malta early and bring the date forward.

I have said that I will try to avoid going on about the wind and cleaning the boat endlessly - I am not sure if that is going on endlessly or cleaning the boat endlessly - but on the whole those two things seem to be our main concerns.

We are looking forward to returning if for no other reason than we are fed up with the cold and fairly gloomy English summer and a little sunshine before the winter will be lovely.

Needless to say we have to return by early October anyway for our grand-daughter's first birthday or we would be disinherited by my daughter.