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.
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.
Lovely to hear that you made your long crossing successfully by the light of the moon and yes why is it you want to sleep when you can't and vice versa? Glad crew pulling their weight with the cooking and that the cleaning is still happening.
ReplyDeleteOff to Chelsea tonight for the League Cup match but I do get dinner first! Really grey and drizzly here this morning just the sort of weather I hate. Just organized for the solar panels to go up next month so I hope we get a bit more sun.
Enjoy your meal tonight.
Lots love Sue and Andy xx
Hi Fran, just thought I would tell you that I sat through my first live penalty shoot out last night, what a nerve wracking experience but at least the Blues won. Seems much more daunting when you are there rather than on the telly. Enjoy yr last day with the crew. Lots love Sue x
ReplyDeleteHi Just caught up with your blogs wow you are having an interesting time with the lazy line etc must have been very daunting and with everyone shouting at each other luckily everything worked out. The crossing by the moon sounds lovely but I am sure you had some anxious moments. Have a great meal at the expensive hotel will be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteTake care Love Kathryn & Vince