SICILY EAST COAST

MOUNT ETNA

TURAMINA

 We left the Aeolian Islands on Monday 13th May and had a breezy sail down towards the Straits of  Messina.

This narrow stretch of water separates Sicily from mainland Italy.  We had 25 to 30 Knots of wind and we sailed down on Genoa alone averaging 7 to 8 knots.

As we gibed and entered the straits the wind was coning over the top of the Sicilian mountains and really blew up !!


We then had a beautiful strong wind sail in flat water down the East coast. We saw Dolphins and a Sword Fish was jumping in front of us.

The Italian waters pilot says that it difficult to see Mount Etna, but we had perfectly clear views of it for two days.

The photograph above with Etna in the background doesn't make it look very high. But this was taken some 40 miles away from it !

ENTRANCE TO SIRACUSA

We anchored overnight below the cliffs of Turamina, a picture post card town perched on the side of a mountain, and with Etna towering above it.

We are now in Sircussa a beautiful old city situated in the south east of the island.. The harbour and town are gorgeous. We intend to stay here for a few days and then set off for the Greek Islands. Hopefully this 260 NM trip will be our last long leg.



RAY & MANDY