Cagliari - 17 September 2021

We spent a very peaceful night at anchor in this delightful bay. There were only a few other boats and nothing in the way of wind or waves to disturb us. Definitely one of the most relaxed nights were have ever had at anchor. We did not rush to get going in the morning, as we knew that we had a short distance to go, and that we did not want to arrive before about 4:00, when the siesta period ends.  Tricia managed a swim before we departed.

Fish swimming in our shadow

Our original plan was to go to the marina in Cagliari that we had used before, but several things caused us to change our minds. First, when we had contacted them to book, they had demanded 50% of the fee with the booking and the balance on arrival. This is not how it is usually done. Secondly, we had asked for a package to be forwarded to them from Bosa, and they contacted us to say that as we were not clients, there would be a daily storage charge levied.  Given that we had already said we wanted to come, this seemed most unreasonable. Thirdly, we had read some uncomplimentary reviews, with others saying that they were more interested in extracting money from you than giving service. So we contacted another marina, and after a short negotiation, we were given a much better rate and better location and services included.

The voyage around the southern tip of Sardinia was uneventful, other than a few other boats who did not seem to think that it was necessary for them to change course to avoid us, despite the normal rules of the road. There was more traffic as we approached Cagliari and a number of tankers at anchor outside an oil terminal here.  We entered the harbour walls, and proceeded past the Luna Rosa Americas Cup base, before getting to the marina, where expert marinaros were waiting to help us dock.

After we had completed the booking formalities, during which we had to fill in a form which seemed to assume we were a cruise ship, asking for Covid related medical records for all on board, we visited the other marina to collect the package.  We had a fairly blunt conversation in both directions, and I left unhappy, but with the package.  They did not seem to realise that it is a buyer’s market, not a seller’s. They had many empty spaces, and if this is their attitude, there will be more.

We saw these lads playing a form of kayak water polo.

Anyway, we are very happy with our position, much closer to the heart of the city.  We feared it would be noisy, but it is not too bad.

Despite the fact that it is now regarded as winter here, it is still uncomfortably hot.

Steve (and Tricia)

Distance today             28 miles

Total distance 2021:   144 miles

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