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

Marzamemi or bust

14 June 2018 | Marzamemi
Geoff/very windy
13th June: Syracuse to Marzamemi

Syracuse held us for almost 2 weeks. We attempted to leave on 9th June but a 25 knot headwind and rough sea conditions, progress was slow and uncomfortable. We made it only half way to Marzamemi before deciding to return to Syracuse. We then found significant amount of water in the engine sump and needed an engineer to replace a leaking water pump. Originally he quoted a 15 day wait for replacement which somewhat dismayed us so we made arrangements to leave the boat and fly home. Miraculously we then learned that a replacement had been located and would arrive the next day! Sudden change of plan. It took a morning to replace together with much sweat and Italian sucking of teeth but it did get done.

We set off for Marzamemi early the next day to beat forecast heavy weather, arriving around noon. Marzamemi is a small former fishing village close to the southern tip of Sicily, a jumping off point for the 60 mile trip to Malta.
Thankfully the marina here is very sheltered, as we are currently experiencing 25-35 knot winds. The 60 mile open-sea crossing would be unwise in these conditions which are forecast to last for the next week or so. Marzamemi is very small and charming in a frontier sort of way, but a week is a long time in a place like this so we will hire a car and explore some of the interior of Sicily, whilst waiting for better conditions.
The village has a charming unspoilt square at the centre and relies on tourism and an offshore fish farm for it's livelihood. Everyone we met were friendly and helpful and our 6 days there were enjoyable.
We drove to Noto and Ragusa, towns re-built after the 1693 earthquake with entirely different characters.
The original site of Noto was abandoned and rebuilt on a hilltop a few miles away. The centre was laid out on a grid system and remains intact. It has some outstandingly beautiful examples of Sicilian Baroque architecture including the usual quota of the sacred but also a theatre and town hall. All the buildings are built of sandstone and the uniform honey-colour which seems to glow in the sun, enhances the sense of unity given by the architectural style. A true gem although to get to the centre, the modern suburbs with their unplanned opportunistic layout and utilitarian buildings have to be endured.

Ragusa is completely different. It was re-built in situ after the earthquake on a limestone plateau high up in the Hyblaean Mountains. The plateau is scored by deep gorges and the long drive up has some wonderful views over the gorges and high fields of agricultural land separated by dry stone walls reminiscent of Yorkshire or Cumbria. The oldest part Ragusa, Ragusa Ibla, is built clinging to limestone cliffs with steep cobbled, narrow streets leading to the summit with yet another magnificent Duomo with attendant square. Well worth the climb. The narrow streets lead to alleyways and charming courtyards that it would take an age to fully explore. The town is the setting for the Italian detective series Inspector Montalbano and has benefitted from the resultant influx of visitors and restoration work.
Ragusa Superiore was built in the 18th Century to provide a more rationally modern city and competition between the two persisted over many years. The whole town is a World Heritage Site.


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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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