37:50.3N 1517.5E

 

8 July  - get to buoys, climb up to Taormina, meet Rosemary off bus (at train station!)

Depart Mazzaro Bay 0730

Arrive George’s buoys E end of Taormina Bay 0900 2nm

Sun, then cloudy and threat of rain, dead calm all day

 

Scarper early before any chance of having to pay for v rolly night. Decant 18ltrs fron gerrycan. See spectacular snowcapped Etna smouldering away. Captains Mate postings speak v highly of George and his buoys. A liveaboard (Maltese). Put a dozen or so  buoys down in 2008 and has been living off proceeds ever since. So helpful. Gaz ran out last night – George got it refilled. And he takes all gash ashore too. Gave lots of information on buses, diesel etc. Took duck ashore. This will be the furthest S we get this year. Got 20euros of diesel in gerrycan. Did walk up yet another steep zigzag footpath to the main town of Taormina perched high on rocky bluff. Interesting Giardino Pubblico at top. Gardens endowed by a Scot, Florence Trevelyan. She had a fling with Prince of Wales (who became king Edward VII), for some reason was “invited” to leave England, and arrived here 1899.  Town not quite as exclusive as Rough Guide made out (well, compared with Capri!), but worth climb.Hot and sweaty. Billboards advertising spectacular concerts/theatre at outdoor Teatro Greco. Greeks started it 3rdC BC,but what is left actually Roman! Didn’t have time to pay and see. A nightime concert would be amazing. Meet Rosemary off bus from Catania airport outside Taormina-Giardini train station Looks grubby & ordinary from outside, but inside like going back in time. Now an open station, but old ticked booths in spectacular carved wood, incredible marble waiting rooms, mosaics all over the place including superb ceiling.R had to take photo for solo tourist posing. Back on board for cooldown swim, and break out some Bass as special treat.