the view from Termini Imerese anchorage

We can't believe our luck - yet again we've an easterly wind to take us along the coast which allowed us to sail under genoa for a few hours until we were becalmed with zero wind and a confused sea.


wild fires are becoming noticeably more frequent as we head further along the coastline. A short while later a sea plane arrived

Something didn't feel quite right and then in the distance we saw it, a squall heading towards us! Needless to say, we moved pretty quickly to furl in the sail and turn the engines on just in time. Within minutes all the excitement was over with but the wind had now shifted to a north west direction, right on our nose. We could have sailed the remaining hour or so if we tacked a couple of times but instead decided to motor the 4nm to anchor off Termini Imerese, a non touristy port, connected by sea with the port of Civitavecchia (GNV ferry) close to Rome as well as by road and rail: Messina-Palermo.

We had planned to change the engine oil on both engines the next day as well as the watermaker filters. Unfortunately the wind had other ideas turning our now familar and gentle easterly into a moderate wind bringing the sea and swell straight into the anchorage. It wasn't long before we were rolling uncomfortably so we made the split decision to relocate into Artemar Marina www.artemarnautica.com, one of the cheapest marinas along this coast at 60 euros a night and it would allow us to dispose of our rubbish as well as the waste oil and reprovision from several familiar supermarkets (Eurospin, EuroSpar, MD) all within easy walking distance. We also had time to explore the upper town and see the coastal views from the belvadere. As it happens fellow winter liveaboards, Bev and Kev from 'Kailani' arrived later the same day so we spent an enjoyable evening catching up whilst having glass or two :-).


surprisingly attractive upper town, compared to the port area!


a pleasant palm fringed walk offered panoramic views over the town, port and sea.

Total distance this season: 378.7 nautical miles