Palermo - 10 October 2021

We remain storm bound in Palermo. The depressions just keep on coming this week, bringing us strong wind and much rain. The lowest temperature we have seen, so far, though, is 18C over night. We are still in T-shirts and shorts, but some of the locals are starting to wear puffer jackets.

This morning, we attended to boat chores. I have been very keen to make a start on cleaning the teak deck, but Steve is nervous of the result not turning out as desired with the products we have. The chemicals we bought back home are in the box, that didn’t succeed in getting through customs. Apparently the post Brexit regulations cannot cope with a box of personal items; it can only believe that the contents of the box are items to be soldat its destination, so the computer said, “no”. We have bought an untried alternative, so I set to work cleaning the cockpit table with it, so we can see how that turns out, before we use it on the deck. The bottle has all sorts of dire warnings of terrible consequences of getting this stuff on your skin or eyes, so I togged up in Steve’s overalls, protective specs and a hat. I probably looked ridiculous, so I did not allow Steve to take a photo. The outcome is that the table is starting to look better, but it will need several more treatments to restore it to anything like it’s original appearance, I think. I was pleased with my efforts.

Apparently this is all one tree

After lunch we walked back to the botanical gardens. We were surprised that, even though you are outside, we had to show our Covid pass to get in. It is pleasing that so my precautions are being taken, though, to restrict spread of Covid. It was interesting to see so many hot climate and tropical plants growing outside, including bamboo, rubber trees, banana plants, etc, but this is no Kew. As with lots of other places here, it is scruffy and could do with an injection of money to improve the place. It was, never-the-less a very pleasant afternoon.




We walked back along the seafront, giving us a different view of the huge harbour, where this beautifully preserved old wooden sailing boat was moored.


Tricia (and Steve)

Distance today               0 miles

Total distance 2021:   414 miles

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