We have not been to Marzememi before. If the conditions are right it is nicer to anchor in Porto Palo just around the corner but it can be very swelly there and make for an uncomfortable anchorage and a sleepless night. We felt the weather was beginning to turn.

There are three different yacht clubs that you can try in Marzememi and we were advised to try Salvo at Marina Sporting, the first one you come to after entering the harbour. Salvo was very efficient in responding to us and had a berth available. He told us to come in dead centre in the entrance as there are rocks off the breakwater but infact there was quite a lot of room and lots of water. We had a marinero to assist us to come in as usual and a local Italian who quizzed Vic to say why does the "lady" get the messy job of pulling in the slimy lines whilst he stays clean and does not have to rush around doing two bows lines and two lazy lines - a rather good point!

Marina Sporting has good but simple facilities (no laundry machine) and is about a 25 minute walk from the main town square. However Salvo has bikes that we borrowed; one had no brakes, one had a slightly bent front wheel frame but as the ride is 15 minutes and on the flat it worked out well.

The town was put on the Sicilian map in the 10th century by the Arabs who built and ran Sicily's premier tonnera (tuna processing factory). This is no longer operational but the villagers still produce various fish delicacies. The most unusual items are probably a Tuna Salamis which is minced tuna, seasoned and then sun dried and often eaten in Christmas Eve when meat (apparently) is not normally served. It is just like a meat salami but fish! They also make bottarga which is an acquired taste as it is very strong. It is dried tuna roe and usually served with pasta; it's like marmite you either love it or hate it!

We left Marzememi and continued round to Marina di Ragusa our over wintering spot for Njord again this year.

As we came out of the harbour we passed a large area given over to fish farms. They are easy to see during the day but would make an entry at night rather tricky.

Photo of the fish farms just outside Marzememi.

Porto Xifonio to Marzememi - 25nm
Marina Sporting - 00 39 327 201 6991 - Salvo
€50 / nt