Spiaggia di Guidaloca - 3 October 2021

The only job we had to do, in addition to the usual pre-flight preparation and checks, was to fill the water tanks, so not onerous at all. We stocked up with all the food we need yesterday, as we had the impression that none of the shops in Balestrate would be open on Sunday, not even the bakeries.


By 10.45, we were heading out of the little harbour, saying goodbye to this town, which we like a lot. It’s not pretty, but the people are warm, friendly and welcoming. 

The little day boats were departing too and the bay was scattered with them, all doing a spot of fishing.

We sailed across to the other side of the bay, just on the jib. We were only going eight miles and we could easily swallow half of that getting the main sail up and down.

We have dropped the anchor in a small bay, off Spiaggia di Guidaloca. It’s a very pretty bay, with Spanish type houses up on the sandstone cliffs. It doesn’t look like a holiday town. The beach looked to be occupied with locals, enjoying the early October sunshine.


There is real depth to the scenery here, with layers of hills and mountains in the distance

I had been in the sea to check the anchor was bedded in, but in the 11 metres of water I struggled to see, although the fact that the chain just disappeared was probably a give away. Steve went in again later and, while he was in the water, a little day boat was speeding towards him. I was waving my arms and shouting to make them aware of him and thankfully they stopped before they hit him. They hadn’t seen him. The drivers of these boats don’t even seem to scan the water ahead to look for hazards. We will have to buy to buy a fluorescent buoy to make us more visible when we are swimming.

 It’s been a top temperature of 24 or 25C the last two days, which is very comfortable.

Tricia (and Steve)

Distance today               8 miles

Total distance 2021:   375 miles

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