26 June Danuta departs for airport, Chris , Jane and Jan set off for long sail to Ponza

Depart 1130

Arrive and anchor (26 June) Ponza 2000 (32.5 hrs)  163nm

Sun (and moon) and sun, W/WNW f3/4/5

 

What a sail! Danuta leaves for airport, ships supplies replenished from market, set off with forecast of 10/5knts for next couple of days, mainly NW. Bit of muckin about tacking/motoring in Golfodi Olbia as the wind funnelling down the approaches meets a N wind just offshore. See yellow aircraft scooping up seawater and diving to dump on remnants of heath fire on Capo Figari. Spectacular as cloud of water descends and aircraft pull up. Course 090 M, speed 4/5/6 and at the very end a touch of 7knts all the way on beam reach, and little sea running. Stronger and better direction than forecast. Big full moon (the perigee moon was a couple of days ago). Perfect sailing. See spurt of spray and arched back of whale going the other way. Several visits from small groups of dolphins. No other boats seen  for most of crossing.Too fast at end and Jane bored with all hours at sea so rather than using wind for second passage night pull in to Ponza. Sheer cliffs as approach as island is remains of volcanic crater. Private (v expensive) pontoons around the bay – mostly empty, and yachts anchored in area marked “no anchoring” on chart. Rib with blue flasher moving some on – seems to be the turning area for incoming ferry Decide to join the rest and anchor in 22 ft. Leave fenders out, in case we swing. Nearby Frenchy lets out more chain to drop behind us (and quietly puts out a few fenders our side) – but says nothing.  A kind gesture without fuss. Gusts die off. Have beer after lay night at sea yesterday – thank goodness didn’t sail on for a second! Jane does great chilli. Deep sleep after Jan and skip on tiller for much of crossing. (No George at all.)