La Maddalena/Porto Palma
16 September 2016 | Porto Palma
C&C

We needed to buy a permit to anchor in the Maddalena Islands, so set off for the main town of Maddalena the next morning. You can go to Cala Gavetta which is a small marina and moor to the outside of the western breakwater for a couple of hours to shop and get a permit. After a bit of chasing around as the signs to the relevant office weren’t clear Carolyn eventually found the Park office - it was closed! Carolyn finally tracked down the Tourist Office where she was able to purchase a week’s sailing permit.
We then motored down to Porto Palma, a big bay just south of the town. The snorkels got some exercise and we watched the sailing club dinghies swoop in and out of the moored boats to come stylishly up to their own mooring buoys under sail. The hilarity and chatter that came across the water made it sound like a fun club to belong to. Carolyn produced roasted chicken, salad and potatoes and we had a few glasses of Sardinian red.
In other places we have visited you can buy wine from many places as well as the local produce. In Sardinia you would have to try hard to find anything other than the local wines. They are strong (often 14.5% so we search for the less powerful) and have a slight harshness to them which means they are better with food than alone. You soon get used to the taste and we enjoy most of the bottles we try. We had a peaceful night in what is a very attractive anchorage with plenty of space and good holding.
Photo: Splice from the water – photographer : Steve