3rd June, 2005
Arrived safely at 6.30am woke up the crew of Affinity 473 at 8am. Over breakfast with Leo, Ida, Jan, Peter and Judy and Owen we all agreed the slump in the tourist industry must be over as we had all experienced very crowded flights even though we had all used different airlines.
It was great to catch up with everyone and especially to catch Judy and Owen West before they took off to Pescara where their yacht Matilda V is on hard stand. Their latest purchases, 2 bicycles had to be transported via bus, train and then bus again but this is no deal for the Wests they love a challenge. Owen had even ridden his bike from the airport trailing Judy's new bike still all packaged up and attached to his new trolley attached to his bike. This was no mean feat as the road from the airport to the marina is chaotic to say the least; it was a miracle he arrived on one piece.
Of course none of the work on Affinity had been done but everybody is getting over their jet lag and it was a public holiday on Thursday so everyone is having a long, long weekend.
6th June, 2005
We are hopeful that the agents will arrive today to complete the work, however Peter and Stan have decided to do some of the smaller jobs themselves and Leo's account at the Chandelry goes up and up. They have attached the life raft, changed over the anchors and are now completing the installation of the spinnaker pole to the mast so we can pole out the jib when we are running down wind, which we hope to be doing ofcourse.
Meanwhile we have heard from the Wests up in Pescara and there none of the work on their yacht is completed, in fact the whole interior woodwork has been taken out to revarnish and it is a big mess but Owen is on their wheel as from today and is hopeful to be away to Croatia by the end of this week.
Stan has mapped out the shortest route to sail to Croatia from Rome and with 6 sailors on board we should be able to get there pretty quickly by sailing during the nights, only stopping if we need supplies. We will go through the Straits of Messina and then to Brindisi. We would like to explore around Brindisi before crossing the Ardriatic Sea to Croatia.
Thank you to all our friends that left messages on the Guestbook we wish you were all here with us too but along the way please stay with us if you dont get any entries for a few days you will know we have been at sea or I can't find an internet point.
9th June, 2005 Rome to the Island of Ponza
After having the compasses swung by a very efficient Professor of Science we did our final shopping and were away by 10am on route to Tropea. The weather began to look very nasty with thunder and lightning and the wind was building up. The sea was getting very choppy so we took down the sails and were just motor sailing with a small amount of mainsail. There was a quick discussion amongst the men and it was decided not to sail overnight as the storm looked like it was definitely coming our way. Stan consulted the chart and it was agreed that the bay Diluna on the island of Ponza would be the most protected place for us to anchor and stay the night. Kev and Marg will remember last year when we were anchored in the bay at Ponza and the wind blew up and all the boats had to hot foot it around to this bay for protection. Stephano had told Leo that there is no anchoring allowed in the bay in Ponza any more as they have had a lot of trouble with all the ferries coming and going and all the boats in the way.
It was the right decision as the bay was full of all boats in the area coming in to shelter from the storm. Ida had prepared a yummy Chili Concarne and after the anchor was finally laid we all settled down to ride out the storm eating and enjoying a nice few white and red wines which we had stocked up on in Ostia. After dinner we sat out on the deck and watched a spectacular fireworks display as the thunder and lightning was all around us and echoing from the high rocks surrounding the bay.
10th June, 2005 Ponza to Amalfi
All was clear and fine when we woke up after a very smooth night at anchor and after breakfast we set sail again hoping to get to Tropea. Along the way Peter and Jan were hearing all our tales of how wonderful Positano and Amalfi were and began to agitate that we should at least sail past them so they could see these legendary places so we changed course again and headed for the coast. We sailed past Capri and went in to show them the Piccolo Harbour where we had anchored last year and there were no boats at all there. Last year when we called in there it was packed but then we are a couple of months earlier this year.
We managed to get into the harbour at Capri and fuel up, no mean feat, as it is a tiny little platform right in the middle of all the most amazing boats moored there. Sailing past Positano at sunset was spectacular and Peter really upped his hasseling to stop at Amalfi. Leo was a bit anxious as last year we had stayed three days in the marina there and the ferries coming and going creates a huge swell and we locked masts with another yacht, fortunately little damage but it could have been very nasty. So we gingerly approached the marina to see what room they had available, it now being after dark. Fortunately the very friendly harbour master remembered Leo and put us in a very good spot up with the big motor boats so nowhere near other yachts to clash masts.
There are no facilities at all in this marina so we have to shower on board and go up to town for the toilets but the town is so beautiful you forget all these inconveniences when you wander around one of the most beautiful coastal towns of Italy.
Stan found the little restaurant where we had a lovely meal last year with Simon and Leanne. The menu was just as good and of course nowhere near as crowded this time of year.
11th June, 2005 Amalfi
Thanks again for all your messages and yes Kev we miss all those fish you mentioned!!! and we miss you and Marg too.
Peter and Jan are off to explore, Leo is catching up on work and Stan, Ida and I are just wandering around checking out all the lovely shops and cafes and of course the amazing Cathederal. We are planning to do a overnight to Tropea where we know we can get all the facilities at the very good marina there and stock up for the next leg of the trip to Croatia. Not sure which way we will go yet but this depends a bit on weather as the reports from Judy and Owen in Pescara are that the weather there has been terrible and they are still not in the water yet.
Photos will be in the albumn soon but we are in transit at the moment and thumbnailing the photos takes a lot of time.
