Sardinia

Gaviota
Mon 13 Sep 2010 20:23
39:08.759N 8:18.606E
Monday, 13th September
 
Left Palermo Saturday, 4th September at 6.00am motor-sailed to the headland in bumpy seas (leftover of on-going gales), then sails up and a close reach 6-7 knots in bumpy seas, 7.00pm the wind headed us and dropped so engine went on, then 2.00am got the sails up again and by 3.00am wind picked up and averaged 7 knots and arrived 1.00pm on Sunday at Villasimius on the South East tip of Sardinia.  The whole of the peninsular is a National Park with miles of white sand beaches and beautfiul turquoise sea.  We anchored off Capo Carbonara.  Strong winds were forecasted again so Monday moved around to the other side of the peninsular into the Golfo di Carbonara and Tuesday morning got the bikes off to explore the area heading up to the town of Villasimius (disappointing!) and tried to find a cycle route (another map disaster!), tracks leading to dead ends so mostly on roads.  Planned to stay longer but wind changed direction and picked up big style, anchor dragged about 2.00am and a very hurried scary retreat was made in very heavy seas and violent thunderstorms round to the safety of Cagliari arriving 8.00am Wednesday, 8th, and ended up staying 3 nights and enjoyed exploring the old historic walled city, even found some live music on Poetto beach a Sardinian Guns and Roses tribute complete with a following of 12-18 year olds!  Actually very good.  Recommend Cagliari for a short break (cheap flights!), lovely friendly people and plenty to see and do.  Left Cagliari 6.30am Saturday, 11th and sailed in very mixed wind directions and strengths 38 miles to arrive at Porto di Teulada where we managed to anchor behind the harbour wall in relative safety.  Moved on next day (Sunday) round the peninsular, had a lunch stop, swim and walk up the amazing sand dunes Le Dune Teulada, wind picked up in the afternoon so a fast sail (with rather a lot of tacking!!) over to Isola San Pietro, Sardinia's most western island, anchored in a bay called La Bobba in the South East of the island relatively sheltered from the cold North Westerly (Mistral) wind which had been blowing for days.  Monday sailed to the main town on the island, Carloforte (disappointing!).  Early start tomorrow, strong winds forecasted and heading to Spain.