40:55.3N 9:30.5E

 

23 June – keep going south, 3 hours anchored in lovely bay, then tie up Olbia before wind arrives

Depart M di P 0630

Arrive Circo Nautico Olbia 1600 (4hrs anchored)  28nm

sun, Wf4/5

 

Early start to get round the massive Capo Figari (1,115ft) which drops sheer into sea before wind gets up. Notice Cakewalk is on horizon heading for shelter in Porto Cervo. Anchor in small inlet behind Isola di Porri – U turn on way in when gets too shallow (rocks). All have swim. Wind building, so head off to get a safe place for next couple of nights. Follow cartoon sided ferries into Olbia. Nifty manoeuvre by skip to go bows to, and pick up two sternlines (looks like two for all on windward side of pontoon so must be used to the W gales). Small friendly marina based on local YC (who are having prizegiving for dhow style yacht regatta – saw them racing in approaches earlier). Olbia is a real lively town tho cruise liners drop off tourists for a stroll so some tat shops too. Discovered excellent chandlery and smarket, but still no decent bread.Lots of history as one of few natural harbours on E coast used by Carthaginians, Romans and then the Goths and Vandals, and now us. Evening stroll. End up in market square where big crowd of locals doing mix of folk/line type dancing to Mirko e Daniola Putzu on electronic accordions. Brilliant! All ages of ordinary folk from kids to grandparents.The dances are learnt in the families. The evening party follows some religious festival earlier in the day. This part of Sardinia known as Gallura (Land of the cock).

 

24 June loads of wind – next boat says gusting f9.  Do boat bits (& first scrub of the year!). Get out Ben’s hair clippers for skips first cut of voyage. Kedge basket overflowing with beer tins, so trip to recycling. See lemons on lemon tree! Super evening meal at quaint restaurant as Danuta’s last night – lots of huge fish portions (Jan’s a bit late as cu with order),skip has massive steak, then feels feint as too much blood to tum. Jane has seen this before so all calm. Skip ok. Refreshing walk back to boat.