We left Santa Maria di Leuca at 0500 hours on our birthday for what we thought would be a gentle 13 hour trip to Crotone. The first 8 hours were rather pleasant, motor sailing into South West winds but managing 7-8 knots. We wanted to get there as fast as possible because the forecast was for stronger winds to come in later and we hoped to be safely ensconced in one of the marinas before then. Needless to say, the wind came in early and we spent the last 4 hours flogging into 20 knot winds gusting to 35. As you can see, we even had to look out the wet weather gear, the first time since going to Crete in May last year!

We didn't go into the marina as it is apparently really uncomfortable in there if the winds are from the South West and we ended up anchoring off the beach.

Within 10 minutes, the sea calmed, the sun came out and it was like the last few hours had never happened except we were soaking wet and Matilda was covered in salt!

Our special Birthday dinner consisted of heated up curry and a couple of beers and we were asleep by 9 pm!