We sailed into Palmero bay on Sunday evening and managed after some fairly frank negotiation to lick up probably the most difficult stern to mooring that i have ever attempted. A very tight space behind the Guardia Costeria station with a cross wind and no shore assistance. After valiant and clam effort by all the crew we achieved it in some style at the first attempt in front of a growing and slightly anticipatory audience of Italian holiday makers and Sicilian hoods. We were, all the time, aware that any of these could be Don ’Tony relatives or associates and the Boss might ask for a brief meeting Luckily he must have been resting when we arrived.

We went for a walk in this totally spectacular city - utterly magnificent buildings on a very grand scale but now somewhat run-down and in need of some repair.

Gaudiesque ‘circus’ corners - at a major boulevard intersection with in built statues of Spanish Kings and elegant fountains.

This city was clearly a major seat of power for Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Baroque. 

We dined well - it was fiesta time with major crowds of young with a good sense for a party.