40:36.71N 09:45.20E La Caletta

21st May, 2011.
We went bike riding in Arbatax both days we were there as the countryside is very pleasant and we wanted to explore the bay we passed just before the headland and harbour wall of Arbatax. Beautiful villas down to the beach area with a wonderful view of the bay. It was nice to see several locals grow vegetables in their gardens and many were very well maintained.
The photograph I have added is the huge floating platform with a crane attached which was in the marina. We understand the oil industry is a very large concern in this area and men were working long days on the platform.
We left Arbatax with the wind on the nose which quickly became more and more powerful up to the first head land. We had hope it would die away but no it just continued and we motor sailed all the way into La Caletta. We covered 49.4 miles in bright sunshine but we suffered 20 knots of wind all the way.
La Caletta last week was a very sleepy place but this weekend the shops have opened, restaurants are serving and the hotel umbrella’s have appeared on the beach. A hotel train transporting the customers from the hotel down to the beach area all of 300 metres is busy going back and forth. Yesterday we played holiday makers and paddled in the warm water.
Ariel is moored on the end of free concrete pontoon with a few other boats enjoying the peace and quiet. There are lots of locals fishing and a few minutes ago a large fish sent the little ones splashing through the water. The chaps on both harbour walls went mad with the excitement. Although they catch very, very small fish which in England we would think appalling they all keep them as the cost of fish is very high. The fish monger weighs the fish which is not gutted or filleted in a piece of greaseproof and a thick sheet of paper which helps it very expensive to buy.
We have stayed three nights here as it is very pleasant with a view of the beautiful mountains overlooking the marina.