Palermo - 8 October 2021

As we mentioned yesterday, we had to move today as the marina we were in was expecting it’s charter fleet back. Fortunately they had managed to find us another berth in a neighbouring marina, so we went through all our usual pre-flight checks and moved the massive distance of about 200 metres. While the new marina is a bit scruffier than the previous one, it has one great advantage. It is not next to a "stink pot" (large motor boat) which insists on running its diesel generator 24 hours a day. This is most unusual when you are in port and there is a electric power supply available. We spoke (complained) to a guy on board, who explained that they had a major problem on the boat, and without using the generator, all their electrical systems go down, including the fridges. We were unimpressed, and therefore quite happy to move.

Just after we re-moored, the fleet of boats for the Para Sailing World Championships were heading out, some sailing and some being towed. The French group came past, all singing at the tops of their voices in a great show of team spirit. Later we walked through the event village and heard the usual stories of the day’s races and analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the boats. All very familiar.

We went to check in and were chatting with the lady administrator. She speaks good English and asked us where we were from. She went on to say how much she loved London, despite the weather. She explained that she had been on the London Eye, when her now husband got down on one knee and proposed to her. Clearly a very happy memory for her.





The city of Palermo is a mixture of beautiful old buildings and those that are crumbling. It is a poor area and there was much damage done by bombing in the Second World War that has not all been repaired. The streets are a delightful mix of wide boulevards and narrow lanes. The driving and parking verge on the chaotic with people either double parking and blocking access, or just driving at 45 or 90 degrees into a space that is not long enough for their car. We have come to understand that a pedestrian zone just means no cars. Bikes, scooters, motor bikes, electric scooters and even quad bikes all weave through the walkers and you have to keep your wits about you at all times. Even crossing main roads at traffic light controlled crossings is not for the faint hearted. 

You never know quite what you will come across

The marina area of Palermo is currently being redeveloped, with a big area of what must have been derelict wharfs now having been demolished. We have seen plans of what it will be like, but this seems to be some time away. In the short term, it means that we have diggers working nearby during the day, and they seem to be making progress at laying the hardcore that will underpin the new dockside. As the prime access paths are cut off, they have laid additional pontoon walkways to access the outer 3 or 4 marinas, including the one we are now in. Negotiating these at night also takes a degree of care. They are wide, but some of the surfaces are uneven and slipprery.

As the weather has kept us in port we have indulged in some more sightseeing. The marina folk had recommended the botanic gardens, so we set off for there. En route the rain started to fall quite heavily again, and although we got as far as the gardens, we didn’t go in, resorting to another trip to the excellent nearby supermarket. This had the benefit of being dry, and by the time we exited the rain had stopped.

There are several other boats of the same boat builder as our here, including one of exactly the same model. This does not seem too unlikely until you realise that there were only ever 57 of these built. I think it is the second time we have been in the same place as a twin sister. Having said that, each will have been built with some of the owners specification and so not 2 are exactly the same. On our pontoon there is a slightly smaller boat of the same make and age as ours. We chatted with the owner, both complementing each other on their boat. He gave us some very good recommendations with regard to winter storage in the area, and we are likely to choose the yard he mentioned. We will visit one other over the next couple of days, but a strong personal recommendation will probably swing it, and we will hope to bump into him there as well.

The building on the hill must have magnificent views

There is always someone fishing

The evening was rounded off with a magnificent meal. While at the market the other day we had spotted a fish stall, that also seemed to have some pre cooked food. These are usually excellent in this part of the world, so having inquired what they were, we bought a container of sauce to go with spaghetti. We chose a Vongole (clam) sauce , and it was fantastic. All washed down with a rather good bottle of Sicilian wine.

Life is good.

Steve (and Tricia)

Distance today               0 miles - we won't count the 200 metres

Total distance 2021:   414 miles

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