MAHON TO SARDINIA & SICILY

ENTERING BONIFACIO

With some sadness we left Mahon on Thursday April 11th.  We had become very settled there and almost become locals !

We left and headed for Sardinia some 200 miles to the east. What a fabulous sail we had.. Josephine with her "clean bottom" just flew and after a day and an exciting night at sea we arrived in Sardinia.

THE CITY ON TOP OF A CLIFF

                                                                 





     Sardinia is a truly beautiful and amazing Island and cruising area, and we were so lucky to arrive when we did. The weather conditions were very good and we were able to cruise the La Madelana Archipeligo thoroughly enjoying the numerous anchorages and harbours.

Across the infamous Straights of Bonofacio lies Corsica and the amazing harbour of Bonifacio. The straights, only fifteen miles wide, lived up to there reputation and we sailed across in a brisk twenty five knot breeze on the nose.

The harbour is almost impossible to see from the sea. The entrance   is via a narrow gap between sheer cliffs with a dogleg to the East.

Once inside this beautiful old city opens up. It is possibly one of the most attractive harbours in the entire Mediterranean.


SARDINIA TO ISOLA USTICA

Having cruised the Archipelago we sailed the East coast and then on Wed 1st May we left La Calleta for Ustica.  This island is literally a dot on the map and also has a mysterious history. I can only say that we had a strange passage. Winds up and down and swinging in all direction, particuly in the middle of the night.

When we arrived and re read the pilot guide we realised that we were in the "Aeolian Triangle". An area of sea with an awesome reputation for strange and unpredictable winds.  Odysseus in Homers Odyssey refers to this area and blames the various gods of ancient Greece for the strange winds. In the middle of the night we were experiencing winds changing direction by 180 deg, and zero to 25 Kn  in seconds.

The island  of Ustica proved to be delightful and very beautiful.  This volcanic rock in mid Med is very famous for Sub Aqua activities.  The entire islands economy seems to be based on fishing and diving tours.

SICILY
We are now cruising along the N coast of Sicily.  The coast line is stunning and mountainous. On Tues 7h May we plan to leave for the Aeolian islands.  This archipelago of volcanic islands are to the North of Sicily and include the isle of Stromboli, a still active volcano , known as the "Oldest light house in the world".  You can see it glowing at night.

Many apologies for the gap in blogs but WI FI access has been difficult. It is Italy after all !!

RAY & MANDY