Capo San Vito - 29 September 2021

We could have a relaxed start to the day, but I was awake and up early anyway. I love the peace and tranquillity in the morning, joined here only by the put-put of the little fishing boats that go out of the small harbour close to us. The low sun creates shadows on the land and the sea, enhancing the clarity and colours of everything.

Later in the morning, the boats exiting the harbour were small pleasure boats and ribs, which people had rented to go sea the grotto caves, around the headland, so there was a fairly steady stream of them. It was clear these were people who had been given a five minute lesson, before departure, on how to drive the boat. They were delighted to get some speed up, with complete disregard that their wake is uncomfortable for the boats in the anchorage area. I guess, if that’s all I have to complain about, then things are pretty good.

And they are.

This is a wide sweeping bay, backed by the little town, which is obviously a holiday destination. During the morning, the beach had filled up, with people under the colourful umbrellas, typical of Italian beaches.

Steve had some work to do on Zoom meetings, so Teresa and I decided to swim to the shore, but before that, Tom and Teresa had to do their lateral flow tests, for clearance to fly home in two days. How bizarre life is to be sitting on the boat in this beautiful bay, sticking a swab up your nose, being watched, on Zoom, by a lady in South Africa.


For me, I went into the water with the mask, to check for jelly fish, as there were a lot of them, yesterday, drifting into the bay, on the current. Today I couldn’t see any. We swam the roughly 400 metres to the shore, at a leisurely pace and joined the holiday makers on the beach. Every 100 metres or so, were two life guards: fit looking young men, sitting under an umbrella, looking every inch Italian Bay Watch. Each station had a rescue kayak. It was very reassuring, as they must have watched us swim in. On route we had passed a gentleman, waving at us, who was very keen that we should have masks on to see under the water, which we gleamed from his sign language, as we couldn’t understand what he was saying. I think he was concerned about us getting jelly fish stings, but I wasn’t sure. We were, by then half way across, so we carried on. We didn’t see a lot of the town, but have read that it is heaving in summer. It was pretty busy on the beach today. It’s also been described as Key West, without the tat.




We arrived back, having avoided being shredded by two of the ribs with novice drivers, not looking where they were going, in perfect timing for Steve to have finished his calls and lunch.

The day was rounded off with sundowners, as we watched the sunset and a relaxed dinner on deck. It’s still warm enough to be still in T-shirt and shorts into the night and only need a sheet over us, to sleep.

Tricia (and Steve, Teresa and Tom)

Distance today                0 miles

Total distance 2021:   352 miles

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