40:33.5N 14:14.6E

 

28 July Wind on the nose, slow progress so decide to stop at Capri. Expensive but WONDERFUL

Depart Procidia 915

Arrive Capri 1500 26nm (less if no tacking!)

Sun and a few clouds bubbling up over land , wind s f3/4 despite forecast of NW!

 

Lazy departure – early shopping, water up etc, plan to head for a quick peep at Capri then on to Amalfi, but a fresh SSE wind on the nose despite passage weather suggesting a light tailwind. Great sailing 4 & 5 knts, so tacked across bay with Naples in sight and backdrop of Vesuvio all day.  One tack took us in towards Sorrento which looked spectacular with verticle red cliffs rising to town on plateaux.  Concerned that not much parking at Amalfi and a lee shore for anchoring. As took so long to get across bay decide to try Capri despite warnings of exhorbitant fees. Bows to and line on outside pontoon. Brit next door. Loads of wash from ferries coming in far too fast. Take ships papers to office - a painful 110 euros. Ow! BUT, what a magnificant harbour and island. Take funicolare up to main town (1.80 each). Wander over saddle thro narrow residential streets (stretch out arms and can touch both walls) to get to high vantage point looking East (well, probably more like South!). Breathtaking. Return a different route past v posh hotels, shops, and lots of men and women wearing fancy dress – but Jane tells us it is actually really smart fashionable clothes. Unbelievable wealth. Descend by rickity bus (also 1.80 ) and spend a couple of hours watching megga boats arrive. Diamonds are Forever is here! (We saw her in Bonifacio.) And loads more Altair (will be worth a google) and a massive sailboat just up the end of our pontoon. Prana. http://syprana.com/  52m long, 60m mast, and 200m of anchor chain, plus loads more. Wonder how much they pay for a night. Pilot says “You have to visit Capri at least once.” Dead right.