We have forgotten about the lack of shelter and anchorages in Italy in the last 12 months … I guess the excellent food and lovely towns made us forget, but now that we’re here it is hitting us full force. So we’re hanging out in Castellammare di Golfo and are trying to figure out the route …. Our best case is a 60 miler to Cefalu about 55 miles east on the North Sicilian coast, then either to Isla Vulcan or Milazzo about another 40 -60 miles, then through the Straights of Messina – staying either in the more industrial city of Messina – or proceeding to Riposto – 120 Euros and 30 miles out of the way, or Reggio do Calabria – where yachts are regularly burgled or robbed at gunpoint. Hmmm… Decisions, decisions.
Then on to Roccella Ionica – a nice marina but very shallow – plus with an on-shore breeze a wicked shore break exists that flipped a 37 foot Hanse sailboat a few years ago. If we can’t get into Roccella Ionica because of weather or silting up the entrance, then we have another 60 miles to go up-coast to Crotone. If we don’t get to Crotone in the light we might as well carry on to Otranto – another 90 miles up-coast …. And that would be a 200+ miler …. As you can see not much in the way of choice, it’s all a long way … hopefully we’ll have favourable winds and waves through the next week or so.
Then we have about 60 miles across to Albania from Otranto, then 50 more to Greece then we have most of a month to slow down; but it is going to be a very l-o-n-g week.
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