Fai Tira arrives in Cagliari, Sardinia. 39:11.00N 09:06.50E

24^th July 2011

Well we made it to Sardinia but not without a struggle. We set off from Lipari Island just north of Vulcano Island after studying the Grib files (wind direction and strength). They showed light winds for the first day then easterly winds for the next two cumulating in strong westerly winds for the last few hours.  All looked OK to go. We had a pleasant crossing, sometimes with the engine off!! This was until last night when the wind picked up to a force 7 on the nose with massive short seas.  As it got dark the auto helm couldn’t handle the conditions so we took all the sails down and I hand steered for 8 hours making progress at between 1 and 2 knots over the ground.  The GPS told us we wouldn’t be arriving until Tuesday morning.  That was a big problem as we had both got flights booked to return to see Joanne’s baby for Monday morning.  Any way we stuck with the plan, eventually the wind and waves decreased and we started making around 3 knots over the ground.  We are now in Cagliari getting ready to leave FT for a couple of days.

Our first sighting of Sardinia, very welcome indeed.  Becky looking relieved to be nearly there.  Only another 8 hours to go.

So what did we get up to in Lipari?

We passed these rocks to anchor in a bay just on the west side of Lipari next to this hole in the wall.  We had to play Pink Floyds “another hole in the wall” song whilst sitting in this idyllic setting.

Becky chilled as the sun set over Filicudi.

The next morning we motored round to Lipari town and anchored under the old walled city. 

We did some touristy things in the afternoon wandering around the old town and these medieval cloisters attached to the church.

The town and harbour had a great feel to it so we found a bar, sat outside and watched the world go by until it was time to eat Pasta.

The next day we hired this old Citron jeep and toured the island.  It was fun but quite hard to drive as every thing was held together with cable ties.  The gear lever came out off the dashboard and took some getting used to.

We headed around the island taking in all the views and even went swimming on this beach.  The location used to be used to quarry pumice stone. It was quite bizarre swimming in the sea with rocks floating all around you.

We went to a volcanic area where the colours of the soil were spectacular. I found these shoes hidden in a cave.  The note is quite interesting.

What a nice thing to do to your boots.  I wonder how he walked home???

We visited a old roman bath and passed the bay where we had anchored the day before with the hole in the wall.  After returning the car we did a bit of resupplying before heading back to FT for dinner.

We left late the following day as to miss the strong headwinds at the start of the voyage.  The plan went really well until the described nightmare of last night and today.  The good thing was we had a couple of dolphin sightings so Becky was really happy.

We head off back to the UK tomorrow to see my oldest daughter Jo, husband Dan and their new baby boy Oscar.

Becky has been a great crew mate.  Nothing has phased her and she says she would like to do more sailing EVEN after last night. 

THANKS BECKY for being a great daughter and crew on FT. 

Dad / Grandfather Pete.