Originally bound for Vieste, headwinds convinced us to fall-off, altering our course for Manfredonia, but then we were able to fetch Mattinata, the port mid-way between the two on the south side of the Gargano promontory - the spur on the heel of the boot of Italy. A fast close reach had us at anchored well before the sun set behind the green hills ... one of the prettiest views yet. Mattinata is a hillside resort town with an expansive beach, but seemingly little activity. That was until Sunday, when families in small motor craft and teenagers in paddleboats came out to greet the solo sailboat, cheerfully singing "New York, New York", "I Want to Live in America" and "Anchors Away" but having no other English to support a conversation. By now our language skills have improved (a bit) so we were able to respond and chat about our tour of Italy and passage across the Atlantic, a story that no one believed!

The best photo we could share of our time here would be each of us sitting down below at "dueling laptops" busily writing blogs and SSCA financial reports, it has been about all we've done in two days! But at least we are now current! Felicita! Later today we're planning an epic (15 mi) journey to Vieste ... more news later!

Cruiser's Note: The Med Almanac suggests "good shelter in the Mattinata marina basin with 250 berths, max LOA 25 meters." We expected a marina, but only found about 80 small power boats and a few fishing boats dominated the quay. So, we think maybe the MAX LOA is 25 feet not meters! or that the funding for marina development just never came through. Whatever - the anchorage has good holding and is nice in settled weather or any blow from the N-NW.