38:07.67N 15:39.09E Sunday 22nd – the seas look huge this morning and the wind continues to rise.  We’re still sailing as close to the wind as we can and it’s lumpy and confused.  The waves are building and beginning to break so we’re having to come off-course to avoid taking them beam on.  Altogether another miserable day although the sailing is fast, but late afternoon we’re able to sail downwind to get back on course.  The relief is immediate and we spy land too so it’s down with the Greek courtesy flag and up with the Italian.  Another bright spot is that we’ve acquired a mascot – most people have a ship’s cat or dog, we have a ship’s caterpillar.  I found him on the butter, having presumably crawled from the lettuce also being stored in the fridge.  I’ve carefully transferred him to a jug complete with his own personal lettuce leaf and we’ll let him go in Italy. 

Oh, the vagaries of sailing!  About six pm the wind dies completely and we’re left wallowing, so it’s engine on and a very gentle night working our way round the toes of Italy’s boot in a smooth sea.  We’re outside the harbour by 0600 Monday but wait until daylight to enter the little marina and tie up safely.  Then it’s scrambled eggs and coffee – bliss!