summertime goes south

8th July
We went to the unremarkable Marina Di San Rocco so we could reach Elba without a long sail. We left the Marina without mishap, having learnt our lesson. The sea was like glass without a breath of wind for most of our 27 mile crossing to Elba. We spotted a small pod of dolphins as they broke the surface sheen but they showed no interest in us and swam on by.
On Elba we anchored in a beautiful bay outside the small harbour of Porto Azzuro. We decided to spend some time exploring Elba and the various bays and anchorages around this lovely island. Today we took a bus to the capital Porto Ferrario and explored the historic centre including Napoleon's town house, used during his brief exile.
The quiet anchorage became a maelstrom of Italian visitors at the weekend. Italians have an interesting variety of anchoring techniques and fine judgement of the safe distance between anchored boats. My anxieties proved unfounded as we made it through 2 days without mishap, although I hate to think what would happen should an unexpected strong wind arrive!
As it happens we have had to change our plans as the calm settled weather is due to end on Wednesday as winds of up to 40 knots are forecast for 2/3 days as a Mistral is imminent. The anchorage would be untenable in those conditions and with no shelter available in the island's harbours we will leave tomorrow for a safe harbour on the mainland, where we plan to hole up until Friday or Saturday. But we will be back, it is too idyllic not to.