On our way again
We have day sailed across the sole of Italy, but not without excitement. We put the girls on their respective airplanes in Palermo after a great, too short visit; took 1 day to fill the tanks & the larder & set out.
We had gone about 10nm when we spotted a windsurfer in the water in big waves. We had all our sails up, but we promptly rearranged everything, turned around which is not easy & headed back to where we had spotted him. He was barely visible in the waves. We had a line ready & a life jacket, but just as we arrived a rescue dinghy from the beach came up. At least we know he was all right.
After sailing 10 hr. with just enough wind to keep our sails up & give us a boost, the wind decided to make up for lost time. I hollered to Jer,"We have 15 knots." Then I hollered again, "We have 20 knots!" OOps! No! 35 knots on the beam. We were screaming at least faster than most of us can run - over 8 knots. Crash! Thrash! Water pouring in the 1 porthole I had forgotten. Thank goodness! We were soon in a lovely, big port where the Port Captain came out & guided us in.
Today we sailed around into the back of Italy's heel. Tomorrow should be our last stop in Italy right on the bottom of the heel.
Keep the home fires burning!
- June 28, 2004