We have spent two nights anchored close to the coast road, and it must be a pretty spectacular drive. It certain seems to have attracted a steady stream of noisy fast cars and motor bikes. Every few minutes we have heard one or two accelerating and breaking for the twists and turns. Perhaps they are filming a version of Top Gear? Anyway, other than the sound of motor vehicles, we had a peaceful night alone in the anchorage area.
It was a prompt start today, leaving an anchorage is the
easiest and quickest departure manoeuvre, and we elected for breakfast en route,
rather than wait. Once we were clear of the coast, the wind kicked in and for
several hours we were able to sail very nicely in flat water, with the islands
getting bigger all the time. As we approached, the volume of ferry traffic and other yachts
increased, it has been good to feel that we are not the only yacht out now.
We have been trying to get to the Aeolian Islands for more
than 15 years. When we first tried we had to give up because of bad weather. Then
last week we thought that again the weather would stop us from getting there,
but now we have made it. And boy, was it
worth the wait, the islands are spectacular! We have gone to Salina, where there
is a marina, so that we can go ashore for a bit.
Salina is very easy to identify. In ancient times it was called Didyma (Greek) and Gamella (Latin) for the twins, the two extinct volcano cones. You could not wish for a more perfect example of past volcanic activity than these two. The sea is deep here, we were in 1000 meters of water only a couple of miles out, and then the islands emerge. Salina is green and well cultivated, famous for capers and the local Malvesi (Malmsey) wine.
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| The sleepy main street |
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| The marina with a backdrop of Lipari |
The marina is one of the best we have been to for a while, with plenty of space and immaculate facilities. After a late lunch and a few minutes of down time we walked into the village. It is not big and we walked from end to end in no time. It seems very sleepy in late afternoon, but there are regular ferry arrivals and a small fleet of taxis waiting to take people to their accommodation. Hiking seems very popular, but we passed up the opportunity to climb to the top.
It really seems as if the weather is getting better. The
shorts came out today for the first time, and we celebrated with our first
gelato of the season as well.
Miles Today - 23
Miles 2022 - 170
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