Bora La is staying for the whole of September, but we other 3 three boats left, two going into the anchorage at Porto Palo, and Thesee carrying on for 45 miles and ending up in Marina di Scogletti by pure chance, after not finding a suitable anchorage for the night. We didn't even know this marina existed until we were about 5 miles away from it. We had calculated we wouldn't make Licata before dark, not a big deal as we had been before and knew the score, but it's rather rude to turn up at 10pm. Too much swell to anchor anywhere, and although Scoglitti was a bit pricey they had space and it was a new view for us. So in we went. This next photo is what they sent us.... follow the green line into the marina they said....
We followed instuctions and all was well but rather shallow in the berth at 2.1metres. Our draft is 1.8 metres. Dean went to check in, and whilst he was gone a 34 foot motor boat tried to berth next to us and was making a terrible cock-up of doing it. I'm not one for calling names but i have to say this driver was a complete moron. By the time he was trying his second attempt, Dean was back and able to fend him off our boat. The guy just basically plonked his boat on the neighbour's anchor, left the wheel, switched off his engine, and expected people to pull him in by using neighbouring boats to hang on to. A complete idiot. I had to take a photo incase of any damage.
In the background the crazy motor boat
before his second attempt
The town itself is quite pleasant and we had a quick walkabout before bedtime. Lots of bars, the usual thing really, couple of plazas. Friendly marina owners. We were quite surprised they had space for us as the pontoon was full. We're in a good position to head off to Licata tomorrow.
The pontoon, Thesee and just one other yacht at the far end
Notice the Sicilian three legged flag
Tuesday 7th September... LINDA - A stormy sky and a little rain to wake up to made us somewhat edgy. Saffy had a walk and then we had a quick scoot around town, coming back with a crusty loaf, two whopping chocolate and cream croissants, and a pre-cooked lasagne for dinner. We departed Scoglitti at 11am, there was some thunder about but we took a calculated risk that we would miss the worst of it and be able to get to Licata safely and comfortably.
Scoglitti Fishing Harbour
The usual rubbish tip on the beaches
More garbage
Statue protecting the local fishermen
Another statue,
but i have no idea what it's supposed to be
So off we went. It was a little rolly at first, but we had a get out clause to head back to Ragusa if we weren't happy. As it turned out it wasn't too bad. There was stormy weather further offshore but Thesee was sailing well under genoa. Some thunder about 1pm, a rain shower or two, and a touch of lightening in the distance. The wind was averaging 13 knots and our speed over the ground 4.5 knots so it was comfortable. We managed to keep each other amused by talking nonchalantly, and it passed some time whilst we kept a close eye on the dark clouds. At one point Dean put the ipad, phone, and VHF in the microwave incase of a lightening strike, although it never got anywhere near that bad.
We ended up sailing all but the last six miles, arriving at Licata around 5pm. As usual, we were directed and helped into a berth by the helpful staff, then they informed us that this was our very own winter berth, and if we left we just come back to the same berth. Wow, we already felt at home. About 30 minutes later we heard a squeak on our chicken doorbell... well it was only a couple we met back in Spain 18 months ago, and they had spotted us coming in. They came onboard for a quick catch up and whilst they were with us a Bride and Groom appeared in the marina and came down the pontoon for photos. The boat opposite us was hosing his boat down at the time, and the wedding photographer asked him to spray water behind the happy couple for effect... How cool is that?
Wednesday 8th September... LINDA - First stop today, the marina office. We paid for three nights as we don't want to stop sailing yet and want to go back to the Egadi Islands. Next stop supermarket. It was very hot, back up into the 30's again. Tonight we gathered for Happy Hour at a bar in town called Blue Sky. It's only 5 minutes walk or so. They have records on the wall.. real records. Tuesday happy hour is a regular thing here with the yachties and there was about 20 of us, mainly Brits and a few Germans. So a few more new friends made.
Inside Bar Blue Sky
... and outside
The sign says 'Saloon' but it's nothing like one
Looking along the passage the other way
First two, of six rum & cokes
Total cost 15 euros....we like this place
Wednesday 9th September... LINDA - Oh what a lovely morning, except for my head.
Our back garden
Our Aloe Vera plant in the back garden
The bigger yachts and catamarans on the quay
Dean had bought some replacement wicks for his hurricane lamp last night. It was very tricky trying to fit one, but you know the master has all sorts of techniques.
Just push it in there
...and pull it out of there
Saffy got a haircut. It was calm weather and no-one around so a good opportunity. I think she likes it, and she was very patient with our attempt. Good girl Saffy dog.
Saffy's port side
...and now her starboard side
Job 3 was to cut out and fit a new covering to the dinghy floor (because the floor has some UV damage and has gone sticky in places). Dean had it all sussed out and i helped a little. But i think too much sunshine, and i had to have a lie down after dinner.
Step 1 - did he measure correctly?
Step 2 - Lining up and cutting holes
Step 3 - now the rear attachment slits
Step 4 - Ready to cut the outline
Step 5 - All done and ready to test
Step 6 - In the dinghy, looking good
Step 7 - and the rear view, perfect
At 5pm we went to a yachties meeting to discuss the future of the bbq's. Happily they seem to have sorted out their differences with the marina and the bbq's are back on again. We also got some useful tips about car hire, wine supplies etc. Impavidus and Eternite arrived today. It was Caroline's birthday and of course a celebration was called for. Not a late night though as they were all dog tired after their long sail from Ragusa.
Happy Birthday Caroline
Here we are anchored
San Leone town
Kids fairground
A bit rolly!
Friday 11th September Dean The trip from the 4am anchorage to Sciacca was quite uneventful. Very little wind so we motored with a slight roll in the sea. Obviously the start of the journey was dark so we had to take extra care. I called tha marina about an hour out and eventually managed to get the correct number only to be told that they had no space. I decided to take a look inside the harbour anyway, there are two concessions here and I couldn't raise the other either but once inside the harbour I could see they had space. With a little guidance we managed to find a spot and tie up. Phew.
Sunrise along the way
Bit more
And another bit
That's about it
Almost
A welcome sign
I had just said to Linda that the lazy line was the cleanest I have ever seen when I went to take the port line!
Whoops
Close up of whoops
There was two reasons we headed to the marina, we wanted to see the town and there was a thunder storm forecast. We could see the lightening during the night time hours of the trip. Nothing yet though.
Big church with clouds
Big clouds
Even bigger clouds
The marina seems quite nice despite reports to the contrary, although electricity only gives 193 volts when plugged in!
Urgent news flash. I just took Saffy out for a pee. She peed on someone else's false grass but she wont use her own Grrrrrrr.
Saturday 12th September... LINDA - Dean and I took a longer walk into town and to Castello Luna this morning, obviously climbing all those steps again. We found the castle eventually but there was only 30 minutes left until closing for lunch siesta, so not worth paying to go in. Oh well, that's more money lost for Italy. Making our way back we stopped off for a bite of lunch with amazing views.
Fancy buildings at the city walls
Mosaic water feature
Another Chiesa
Inside
To Castello Luna
The Perollo and Luna families that led to civil war in 1400
Great views up here though
...and a castle view
Back in town more Church bells
Old is the new young apparantly
Another city gate
...and a random ark in a field
It's been good to have a look around Sciacca, but to be honest the best thing we found was the supermarket. At least we can spend some money there on Sicilian wine. This afternoon i got busy in the galley and knocked up homemade lasagne and homemade coleslaw. We took Saffy for a walk along the beach promenade about 6pm. She did really well and walked quite far. Unfortunately the place was a dump, signs up warning not to go on the beach because of pollution. They can put a sign up, but can't actually clear the rubbish off the beach. Weird.. And then a completely ludicrous sign stating a delapidated wooden building with trash outside had actually been left there as an archaeological find! It's laughable.
Log sculpture along the beach prom
This next sign says...
Your natural question
Why all this garbage around the Porticello?
Our real answer
To charm him of an archaeological find
An archaeological find.......Really??
The kids playground, one wonky swing and a slide
Not much fun goes on here
Some of the rubbish on the beach
Sunday 13th September... LINDA - There are lot of thunderstorms about at the moment and so far we have managed to dodge them. Last night we ate dinner outside in the cockpit in a lovely calm warm and serene evening, but the sky to the south was almost constantly lit up with sheet lightning. It must have been a long way off because we heard no thunder.
We had paid for two nights here in Sciacca so were due to leave, and after some considerations we decided to leg it up to Mazara del Vello to avoid the storm due in Sciacca this afternoon. We had been going for about an hour when the skies behind us darkened and we knew the storm was building. Ahead of us was somewhat cloudy but very bright so we were happy enough. Luckily for us the dark skies behind us moved over the land and then seemed to bypass us by moving up the coast. By the time we got to Mazara del Vello we assessed that we had missed the storm and ahead of us was looking pretty good. It was only 2.30pm and we were making good progress with a knot of tide with us, so doing about 7 knots over the ground motoring.
Dean celebrating en-route
after finding Snickers at the supermarket yesterday
Just about the only boat we saw today
You can see the stormy skies over the land
After more weather checks we both wanted to carry on to Favignana in the Egadi Islands (our destination). It was another 25 miles, so about 4 hours. The sea was calm and there would be no benefit stopping at Mazara del Vello for the night. So on we went. It was a little hazy as you can see from the next photo approaching Favignana.
Our crinkly destination comes into view
It was 6pm when we arrived and picked up a buoy (at the first attempt) on the south side of the island. Saffy was crossing her legs and we got organised and offloaded the dinghy and outboard as soon as possible to nip ashore. The officials had been to collect our money. Well by this time the wind as up and we suddenly noticed the skies almost all around were really dark. A squall was imminent, and we had only been back on the boat for at the most 10 minutes when it kicked off. A big downpour of rain, lightening and some thunder. Into the microwave went the electrical gadgets again. We weren't alone out here, there were another 8 boats with us on the buoys. Fortunately it had mainly passed after about 45 minutes and the storm continued on the the next island where we knew some of our friends (on boat Winsome) were.
Arrival at the island Favignana
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