summertime goes south
| Vessel Name: | Summertime |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Southerly 110 |
| Hailing Port: | Wootton Isle of Wight |
| Crew: | Geoff & Linda Gray |
| About: | We have owned and sailed Summertime since 2001. We have sailed around Ireland and to Scotland and many times to France. Now it is time for a big adventure through the French canals to the Mediterranean and beyond. |
| Extra: | We are members of the Cruising Association, the Southerly Owners Association and the Island Sailing Club. |
20 June 2018 | Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
14 June 2018 | Marzamemi
03 June 2018 | Syracuse
17 May 2018 | Catania - Circolo Nautico
15 November 2017 | Marina dell'Etna, Riposta
23 September 2017 | Porto Dell'Etna, Riposto
22 September 2017 | Messina
21 September 2017 | Milazzo
21 September 2017 | Salina
17 September 2017 | Lipari, Isola Lipari
16 September 2017 | Porto di Ponente, Isola Vulcano, Aeolian Islands
09 September 2017 | Cefalu
11 August 2017 | Palermo
09 August 2017 | Castellmare di Golfo
09 August 2017 | San Vito Lo Capo
09 August 2017 | Terrasini, Sicily
30 July 2017 | Marina di Sant'Elmo, Cagliari
25 July 2017 | Marina di Villasimius
22 July 2017 | Porto Corallo
18 July 2017 | Arbatax
Recent Blog Posts
20 June 2018 | Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
Grand Harbour, Malta
19th June Marzamemi to Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
15 November 2017 | Marina dell'Etna, Riposta
Winter Quarters
We found the marina at Riposto to be relatively new with good facilities and close to the town. The cost for overwintering is reasonable and we are close to Catania airport, so we decided to leave Summertime there for the winter. We will have to hope Etna stays quiet for the next 6 months as Riposto [...]
Olbia to La Caletta
16 July 2017 | La Caletta
Geoff/getting hotter and windy
15th July: Olbia to La Caletta
We spent 3 days in Olbia as the westerly wind blew and blew. We recorded over 40 knots of wind whilst in the harbour but were glad that it eased on the 15th enabling us to leave for La Caletta. On our last night we noticed a strong smell of smoke in the harbour and heard many sirens. In the morning the boat had a covering of ash and we presumed some form of wildfire close by. On our journey south we spotted a column of smoke on the land and the bright yellow planes picking up water and dumping it onto the smoke column. It is not just Sicily and Calabria suffering from wildfires.
The trip south took us through an area of reefs and islands needing careful pilotage then when we reached more open sea we were able to set the sails for a lovely downwind sail to La Caletta. The wind eased as we approached our destination and we were down to 2 knots for the last couple of hours but having plenty of time we ambled along in the pleasant cool breeze in preference to the heat of the harbour.
La Caletta is a pleasant small town, if a bit scruffy. It makes no concession to foreigners, catering exclusively to Italian locals and visitors taking advantage of the beach. The marina is run by the local yacht club which made us welcome and had good facilities.
A strong wind has blown up again, this time from the north-east which has kept everyone in harbour. The local boat-owners have had to sacrifice their Sunday outing, as the surrounding area offers no shelter at all from the powerful waves and swell. We walked along the beach to nearby Posada, a village built up the side of a high rocky outcrop with a castle and tower at the summit. The surrounding area is flat and low-lying, giving the castle the obvious advantage of a panoramic view.
Last night La Caletta hosted the Sardinian round of the Miss Italy competition. We were fascinated by the whole thing which was as tacky as we imagined. Lots of lights, loud music, statuesque competitors and bling. There were 15 identikit girls, although one broke with the norm and sported blonde tresses. By girl no. 9 we were bored to tears and cut our losses and went back to the boat before the Italian crooner took the stage. Political correctness seems to be unknown in Sardinia.
We spent 3 days in Olbia as the westerly wind blew and blew. We recorded over 40 knots of wind whilst in the harbour but were glad that it eased on the 15th enabling us to leave for La Caletta. On our last night we noticed a strong smell of smoke in the harbour and heard many sirens. In the morning the boat had a covering of ash and we presumed some form of wildfire close by. On our journey south we spotted a column of smoke on the land and the bright yellow planes picking up water and dumping it onto the smoke column. It is not just Sicily and Calabria suffering from wildfires.
The trip south took us through an area of reefs and islands needing careful pilotage then when we reached more open sea we were able to set the sails for a lovely downwind sail to La Caletta. The wind eased as we approached our destination and we were down to 2 knots for the last couple of hours but having plenty of time we ambled along in the pleasant cool breeze in preference to the heat of the harbour.
La Caletta is a pleasant small town, if a bit scruffy. It makes no concession to foreigners, catering exclusively to Italian locals and visitors taking advantage of the beach. The marina is run by the local yacht club which made us welcome and had good facilities.
A strong wind has blown up again, this time from the north-east which has kept everyone in harbour. The local boat-owners have had to sacrifice their Sunday outing, as the surrounding area offers no shelter at all from the powerful waves and swell. We walked along the beach to nearby Posada, a village built up the side of a high rocky outcrop with a castle and tower at the summit. The surrounding area is flat and low-lying, giving the castle the obvious advantage of a panoramic view.
Last night La Caletta hosted the Sardinian round of the Miss Italy competition. We were fascinated by the whole thing which was as tacky as we imagined. Lots of lights, loud music, statuesque competitors and bling. There were 15 identikit girls, although one broke with the norm and sported blonde tresses. By girl no. 9 we were bored to tears and cut our losses and went back to the boat before the Italian crooner took the stage. Political correctness seems to be unknown in Sardinia.
Comments
Summertime's Photos - Main
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This will show various conditions and facilities enjoyed/endured during the journey around the med. in 2016
8 Photos
Created 12 June 2016
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