We've just spent two days waiting for strong winds to abate again, coming out of the Gulf of Lion! The winds in the Med have names such as Mistral or Tramontana depending on the wind direction. We have names too but they are unrepeatable! We had to re-anchor as we found ourselves positioned far too close to the breakwater boulders. Listening to the wind whistling in the rigging whilst the waves crashed into the breakwater sending sea spray over the top was a bit disconcerting at times given that we were anchored just the other side but we're pleased to say that the anchor held firm even though the chain rattled at times in the gusts. Meanwhile Bosa town was there in the distance and within sight from the anchorage, teasing us!

All good things come to those that wait. Bosa is beautiful, unspoilt and our favourite Italian town so far.

It's been a while since we last dinghied up a river. This one was lined with palm trees with small boats tethered to rickety landing stages. The town is a maze of medieval cobbled streets, stone staircases and terraces of tall houses painted in bright pastel colours with terracotta tiled rooftops, stacked on a steep hillside, overlooked by a 12th century castle.



Once famous for exporting fine leather all over Europe, several old tanning buildings remain. One is now a museum and worth €3.50 entrance in order to get an appreciation of the tanning process and understand why the town was originally called 'stinky Bosa' - they used dog poo in the process. You can see the original stone tanks where the leather hides were washed and a small collection of photos, old tools and boots made especially for the job. There are explanatory panels (mainly in Italian) but we were given a translated A4 version.

Our last evening at anchor was briefly disturbed by a particularly loud 'blip' from a siren off a RIB - the coastal police asking if we were staying overnight and if so to not forget to put on our anchor light. We didn't get the chance to acknowledge before they'd bid us a good evening and headed off at great speed in true Italian style!