About to Leave Tunisia
28 April 2011 | Hammamet
After waiting for five days we finally found a window in the appalling weather in Tunisia sufficient to give us the two days we need to get to Sicily. We set about completing the paperwork and formalities at 13.00 on Wednesday when I 'mobilized' the boat, a paperwork exercise with the customs people that allows the boat to be moved. When we are tied up in the marina we are immobilized and not burning up our 6 months time allowance which would lead to more problems and a mountain of formalities. Cast off from our marina mooring of the last three years at 15.00 and motored round to the fuel berth and more formalities with police and customs again. Finally left at 17.00 with 155 litres of Tunisian diesel fuel which cost 157 Dinars (2.2 Dinars to 1 GBP). We will miss fuel prices like this in Greece!!
It's now 08.15 on Thursday morning and we have just spent our first night at sea. The wind is fresh at around 15- 18 knots and the sea lumpy but not too bad, the swell is the result of the winds of the past week. We passed south of Panteleria island at 05.00 this morning.
I just went up on deck to see if there is anything around and there were no boats but there were a small pod of dolphins playing around the bows. I don't know how long they have been there. It's good to have company, Jane is asleep right now. Apart from the dolphins there is nothing in sight. We still have 112 miles to go to Sicily. We are sailing at 6.5 to 7.0 knots so that will burn the miles up nicely. I expect to get into the anchorage in Sicily at around 03.00 tomorrow morning.
I'm posting a position update so have a look to see where we are.
Enjoy the wedding!!
Colin & Jane