Cornino - 25 October 0221

The plan had been to stay in Balestrate until Tuesday, but our early morning review of the weather forecast indicated that this was going to be the best day to leave. Although it would be a bit blowy, we would be able to get around the headland at Capo San Vito, the last remaining challenge on our trip back to Trapani. We had also identified a suitably sheltered bay for the night.

We rushed to town for the fresh food we would need for a few days away from towns and shops. The fish shop had no fish, obviously the fishermen had not been out in the storm the previous day. Then we said our goodbyes to Balestrate and the friendly folks at the marina. There was no wind at first and we had to motor. We went though large patches of flotsam dislodged by the storm, having to avoid branches and tree trunks in bands in the water. Most of it was harmless bamboo, but there were the odd more substantial pieces that we did not want to hit. We think that the bamboo was from the sunshades that they have for the beach car parks here.

After debates about how much sail we should have out, eventually the wind kicked in and off we went. The sea was still quite choppy, not having recovered from the storms. Our top speed was 10.2 knots, our record for this trip. 

We have been following the Middle Sea Race via the internet, as we have friends competing. This is one of the classic offshore sailing races, starting and ending in Malta, with a course around Sicily and some of the outlying islands. We saw a few other boats, which we assumed to be the stragglers from the race fleet, as most had passed while we were tucked up in port.

Once we had rounded the headland, the swell soon eased, and then the wind did the same, as we started to be sheltered by the land. We ran down west side of Sicily, to the bay we had selected. It was absolutely beautiful. We had a towering hill to hide behind and when the cloud lifted, a spectacular view across the bay. A bit of swell remained but nothing too bad, so we settled down for a peaceful evening. 

 




Steve (Tricia and Chris)

Distance today             24 miles

Total distance 2021:   525 miles

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