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 [...]
Grand Harbour, Malta
20 June 2018 | Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
Geoff/Hot
19th June Marzamemi to Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
After 6 days we were ready to leave. The winds had died down and although the sea state in the Malta Channel was still likely to be on the rough side we decided to risk the crossing. We left at 05.30, first light, to make the most of daylight hours. The sea had a heavy swell, on the beam, so we rolled about a bit particularly as we left the shelter of Sicily. The wind was also beam on, at between 6 and 10 knots which was enabled us to motor sail at between 5 and 6 knots for most of the way. We covered the 65 miles in 11.5 hours which was good going.
The crossing was trouble free apart from ship dodging and we arrived in the magnificent Grand Harbour at 4pm. A complete contrast with Italy, things work and the Maltese seem to be able to finish what they start. Italy is a wonderful country but after a while the frustrations grow. A small but telling detail, in Marzamemi we looked for a tourist office and followed a number of signs to no avail. There isn't one and the main street has two signs for the info office pointing in different directions. That should have warned us!
Malta is different and we are really looking forward to exploring Valletta and the rest.
After 6 days we were ready to leave. The winds had died down and although the sea state in the Malta Channel was still likely to be on the rough side we decided to risk the crossing. We left at 05.30, first light, to make the most of daylight hours. The sea had a heavy swell, on the beam, so we rolled about a bit particularly as we left the shelter of Sicily. The wind was also beam on, at between 6 and 10 knots which was enabled us to motor sail at between 5 and 6 knots for most of the way. We covered the 65 miles in 11.5 hours which was good going.
The crossing was trouble free apart from ship dodging and we arrived in the magnificent Grand Harbour at 4pm. A complete contrast with Italy, things work and the Maltese seem to be able to finish what they start. Italy is a wonderful country but after a while the frustrations grow. A small but telling detail, in Marzamemi we looked for a tourist office and followed a number of signs to no avail. There isn't one and the main street has two signs for the info office pointing in different directions. That should have warned us!
Malta is different and we are really looking forward to exploring Valletta and the rest.
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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