Memorable Capri
Buesnel
Mon 22 Jun 2009 17:47
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40:32.70N 14:14.74E
On Saturday 13 June we headed off for Capri. (This
was after on Friday evening Clive the engineer surpassed his previous skills and
replaced the air conditioning unit in the main saloon - oh to have a cool
boat)
The day was a bit overcast but still warm. The
guide book was very vague about where to anchor in Capri and when we got there I
realised why - the water is so deep (50+metres 100 meters offshore) anchoring is
tricky. We eventually managed to find a space on the south side of island in 20
meters of water about 50 meters off a rock. There was light winds but a big
swell running - strange I thought.
Anyway we deployed the toys and all the crew went
swimming - Jack and Harry had lots of fun fliping and diving off the boat. Susan
tried to go ashore but was told all the beaches were private and we saw a couple
coming off a boat aith DJ and cocktail dresses - clearly a party of some form.
We went to bed with the swell ever increasing and
the wind edging up. At about 1am Clive decided that sleeping in the cockpit was
a good idea - if we did drag there was nowhere to go - we were on the rock. Then
the fireworks for the wedding party started - very impressive but incredibly
loud - reverberating off all the cliffs - amasing Harry and William slept
through them.
But wind did not get up all night, the swell
continued to be very bad and lightning started- no one was sleeping. When
light came the wind then got up very quickly and then Vicks said to me "what do
you think about that cloud formation on the horizon" - the skies were black the
wind was now 25 knots and it rained like a monsoon. The cloud formation was
clearly a twister - very black, very focussed, whipping up the sea and heading
our way. My first thoughts were " this was not on the f.... forecast" the very
quick next thought was "we have to get out of here" - Vicks - we need to get the
anchor up. and "any time now would be good". Vicks got the anchor up - with rain
pounding the deck and 25 knots of wind i was shouting "is it up" as we were
approaching the rock. - Yes was the reply, so we spun around and headed away
from the storm. Susan who had been tending to the boys and reassuring them they
could trust Daddy (!), then appeared with an offer of help and was told that
children was her priority we were ok (!) - She gave me a
reassuing look which helped me to get through this with a smile (of
sorts)
Anyway we headed away with twister formation (no
one told me you got these in the Med!) and lightning behind us. We went the
long way round Capri to run away. We had all these plans of Kayak trip to the
famous Blue Grotto but we were leaving a rough, windy, stormy Capri behind after
a sleepless night - Thanks!
We then headed of a port of refuge at Amalfi, one
day early but all feeling relieved we were OK and we were heading to a quay
mooring not a deep water anchorage.
After a brief snooze we had a glass of wine for
lunch and toasted to a memorable Capri.
 Our anchorage in Capri - sun, small swell and
stunning rock scenery- we were very happy at this point
 Jack flipping
 Harry flipping
 Jack diving
 Harry bombing
 William - looking cool
 Capri scenery
 Capri - stunning houses built high up on the
cliffs
 The morning after - Clive helming the boat away
from Capri (in the background). Note the wet weather gear!
 The real face reflecting the night at Capri ??!!
Note we had to tow Wacky as no chance of getting aboard as the twister
approached.
 Vicks - trying to smile through wet weather gear
and that fact that she was looking forward to visiting the island and the Blue
Grotto. Oh well, this is sailing !
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