Bye bye Ismailia and the Suez Canal and hello the Mediterranean!

Diablo's cruising adventures
Doug and Clare Hassell
Thu 9 Feb 2023 09:23

32:48.531N 033:3.755E


Well, the day is finally here!

At last there is a weather window in the Med, after 30kts+ over the last couple of days.

The Suez Canal authority had a concern over bad weather but at 9am the pilot arrived and we departed.


As they were rebuilding the yacht club, the facilities were basic but we enjoyed ourselves and met some interesting people. We we’re not allowed out of the our berth area but a friend managed to get us to the sailing club briefly when we arrived but that was it   Fortunately he also organised some shopping and dodgy laundry - I think I will be doing it again in Cyprus.


It was a very chilly motor up an empty canal. At last we see our first ship southbound after 2 hours, a mega Costco container ship.  Followed by what we guessed was some dodgy Russian oil and gas!


We reached the end of the Canal at 3pm and our pilot jumped off onto a pilot boat and we were on our own!  Mainsail up with 2 reefs and a long sail up the channel and into the Med.  very shallow and even we had to stay in the channel for a long way.  Then through the anchorage.  Wind was around 20kts with some stronger gusts Port fetch and with the forecast to ease around midnight.

Clare did a great job on the navigation.  Gas platforms and waiting for deeper water, shipping channels and ships!


The wind started calming down arounn10pm.  Then rain.  Very cold.


At the moment the sun is shining and we are enjoying the warmth.  Reflecting on our adventure and journey since the 5Jan.  Over 3,000 miles.  Should be in Cyprus tomorrow midday.


Clare and Doug

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