The bay had offered us good shelter and a peaceful night, so we were well rested to start the day. As ever, the wind had dropped overnight and we slipped out in a completely calm sea. There were several small fishing boats about, some going up and down with their reels, others over the rocks.
We had to motor round the headland, but I would always take that, over a churned up sea, that often occurs in these areas.
After two or three hours some light wind came in and we
launched the kite. This is the cruising shute, for down-wind sailing and we
haven’t had the opportunity to use it for three years. We trucked along nicely
for two or three hours until the wind died, and, baring in mind what we knew
was ahead, we took it down and had plenty of time to put everything away,
before we were hit with 25 - 30 knots of wind funnelling over a valley in the
land. At least it was a good angle on the waves, so we just slowly ploughed
through it. As we approached our chosen spot to anchor, off the beach at
Roccella Ionica, the wind reduced, thankfully. We cannot go into the harbour
here, because it is too shallow for us. We didn’t go ashore, because we don’t
like to leave the boat at anchor with nobody on board, but it looks to be a
very nice town. In the early evening we could hear a band playing, possibly in
a similar celebration to the one we had seen in Syracuse. Then, around nine, when
it was completely dark, we were treated to a superb firework display. The
fireworks were launched from the beach, so I reckon we had the best view. I
haven’t managed to find out what the locals were celebrating, but it was an
extra bonus for us to be there when it happened.
By the time we retired to bed the wind and sea had calmed and we went to sleep, relaxed.
Miles Today - 40
Miles 2022 - 481
Steve (and Tricia)
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