We picked up Michael, Joyce and Alexandria (ex-schoolmate of Will's) yesterday from Porto Ercole. Ruth and I motored off the port while Will went in with the dinghy to pick them up. The wind was up (15k), so the transfer of people and gear wasn't a slam-dunk. But it all went well and without incident.

We got back to our anchorage off the marina at Cala Galera and went for a swim and generally had fun catching up. Joyce was still looking for her sea legs so she wasn't feeling too chipper.

This morning we headed into the marina to fill up with water since we were in the "yellow" zone. I wanted to top off the fuel and fill up with water at the same time. Only the marina wouldn't let us do it. They wanted us to spend a night in the marina. Then we could use their water. At 169 euro/night ($200/nite) I let them take their extortion and put it, well, you know!!

So off we went to Isole Giglio 15 nm away. The problem was that the wind was up to 20k, and on our nose leaving the anchorage. This did nothing for Joyce's condition. After we turned the corner we went from motor-tacking through the steep waves to sailing with them beam-on. That is a most uncomfortable ride. To add to our woes (besides Joyce), Alex got to feeling bad. She wasn't seasick, but had something else going on. So things haven't started off real well so far.

We got to Isole Giglio and the marinaras at the porto there said to come back at 1730 and we could fill with water. So we found a nice anchorage and chilled for the afternoon.

But then at 1700 a front moved through and all hell broke loose. It came from 90 deg. from the previous wind, and got up to 30k. Everyone was pulling anchors and booking as fast as they/we could. We got to the porto and it was chock full. No water. So we anchored just outside of it and the marinaras came out and said 1030 tomorrow morning. We will see.

In the meantime, we have had to drop a stern anchor to turn the bow into the well -- the rocky-rolly was just too much for all of us. So we'll pray for a quiet night and see what happens tomorrow. Right now we are in the "red" zone for water. So we will see what tomorrow brings.