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

14 June 2018 | Marzamemi

Marzamemi or bust

13th June: Syracuse to Marzamemi

03 June 2018 | Syracuse

How much history can you take?

31st May: Catania to Syracuse

17 May 2018 | Catania - Circolo Nautico

A New Year Begins

15th May 2018

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 [...]

23 September 2017 | Porto Dell'Etna, Riposto

Volcanoes again

23rd Sept: Messina to Riposto

Palermo

11 August 2017 | Palermo
Geoff/cooler and cloudy
10th August - Castellamare del Golfo to Marina Villa Igiea, Palermo
We left about 11.30 for Palermo and had a largely uneventful trip. We passed under the airport flight path and the planes came in very low above us as they landed. Our route took us close alongside the runway and airport buildings and it was strange to think that on Sunday we would be looking out from the terminal on the boats passing by.
We made Marina Villa Igiea, just north of Palermo by 6 but it took a little time to get the marina to respond on the radio. Eventually we were allocated a berth.
We are a little way out of Palermo and the taxi ride in is rather expensive. Overall the city is in a sorry state. The marina has a number of unfinished buildings including the new office and what we took to be the showers. These are still in temporary accommodation which leaves a lot to be desired. Palermo itself is in a similar state. In some areas the streets, houses and shops are in a squalid condition, reminiscent of tenement slums. I would hate to walk around there at night. Just a few blocks away there are magnificent public buildings and churches, some TLC needed though to address the all too evident dilapidations.
The cathedral dates from the 12th century. It is huge and mixes architectural styles in a form dubbed 'arab-norman'. This mix of Moorish, Norman/Romanesque and Gothic gives a combination unique to Sicily, which is repeated in many of the other religious buildings. In later buildings, characteristics of the Baroque appear, increasing the fascinating complexity of styles.
Nevertheless the whole city has an air of neglect with projects half complete and many fine buildings showing neglect. A bit like Italy itself.
Summertime will stay in Palermo until our return in September, when hopefully it will be a little cooler.
Comments
Summertime's Photos - Main
This will show various conditions and facilities enjoyed/endured during the journey around the med. in 2016
8 Photos
Created 12 June 2016
No Photos
Created 30 August 2014
No Photos
Created 30 August 2014

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