To Sicily again
11 December 2020
Phil Heaton
With the incidence of Covid infections, hospitalisations and deaths having reduced dramatically we decided it would be alright to go to Minnie B, but we were not enthused by the prospect of airports and aeroplanes. Car it was then: overnight ferry from Hull to Rotterdam (good Covid protocols); drive via the Mont Blanc Tunnel, stopping one night near Bourg-en-Bresse in France, to Genoa; overnight ferry to Palermo (also good Covid protocols and behaviour); drive to Licata.
On Minnie B
We were relieved to find Minnie B in good shape. The priority was to sort out the injection pump. A different company was brought in and all was well, so we determined to go cruising to the Egadi Islands at the western end of Sicily. Sails and running rigging were re-installed, provisions bought and we were set. Up at 0600, lines ready to slip, instruments on, start engine. Nope, engine will not start. This was Friday, so over the weekend we had photos and diagnostic instructions and answers between us and the mechanics until we eventually pin-pointed the problem as a sticking fuel shut-off rod inside the injection pump.
We were just thankful this had not happened when at anchor in the Egadi Islands. By the time we got it sorted we were out of time for a cruise so we concentrated on more boat servicing and enjoying being in Sicily.
Scicli tourismo
Being fans of the TV series 'Inspector Montalbano' which is set in Sicily we went location spotting - well, Norma wanted to do this, Phil simply wanted to have a look at Ragusa Marina [this is so untrue Phil was keen too. Any more misrepresentations and your writing privileges will be withdrawn. Ed].
First, we did call at Ragusa Marina to compare it with Licata, and stopped for coffee at Punta Secca, the site for our dear Inspector's house. Then to Scicli, about 60 miles from Licata, and it turned out to be delightful. We had a guided tour of the set for the police station which is in the town hall of Scicli - much to our amusement, our guide insisted that we had our photographs taken at every desk and office on the set. The town is full of more Sicilian Baroque architecture and yet another marvel.
UK bound
With the second wave of Covid infections sweeping across the countries on our route to the UK and greater restrictions being introduced, we felt it was time to head back. Our route was the same but as the ferry from Palermo did not leave until the evening we could squeeze in a stop at Cefalu on the north coast - a beautiful old town and we had a splendid lunch looking out over the sea. We also had time for the cathedral and monastery at Monreale near Palermo - truly Baroque on steroids.
The timing of the ferries meant we had to overnight in Genoa at an excellent B&B, and then we stayed one night in Dijon. Arriving late afternoon, we were able to stroll around the quarter that is home to the palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, pausing for a kir at a café and dining at Le Grill du Marche. France had introduced a 21.00 curfew so all the bars and cafes were busy by late afternoon and the restaurants filled earlier than usual. The staff at the restaurant were brilliant, running around at high speed to get everyone fed in time.
The next day we drove to Rotterdam for the overnight ferry to Hull, and back to our flat in York for 14 days of quarantine. As we have said to others, quarantine was no hardship if you think about it as a 2000nm ocean passage but without the night watches and with the beer and wine ... and Netflix.
More photos in the Gallery.