Another early start at 05.30 and on our way to Santa Maria di Leuca which is the heel of Italy and where Mussolini had the steps built to welcome the world to Italy.

We had a very smooth passage across the Golfo of Taranto and at around 18.00 our expected arrival time in Santa Maria we decide to carry on and go overnight to Brindisi. We had supper at around 19.30 and got ready for our 2 hour watches. It was a full moon and although we had some current against us around the heel it was a calm and trouble free passage.

After the next marvellous sunrise and breakfast at 06.30 we saw a very fast boat coming towards us. It was the Italian Customs. They came alongside and asked us all the usual questions but we are more used to doing this with the Port Authorities or Harbour Master: what was our length, width, our last destination and next one, how many on board and nationality, registration and home port etc. There was one question that initially I could not get and this was waterline to the top of the mast, but we got there in the end. They then took photos of Njord's name, registration and port on her stern, thanked us for our co-operation and said "have a good day". Phew we weren't boarded.

We then made it into the Traffic Separation Zone and called up the Port Authority of Brindisi to ask permission to enter and go to Marina di Brindisi