39:31.61N 15:55.31E Cetraro

Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Sun 19 Jun 2011 11:18

 

Friday, 17th June, 2011.

 

We awake to a very sunny still morning and had a quick breakfast before we set off south for Cetraro in the district of Calabria. No wind so we motored the 35 miles all the way passing the towns of  Maratea and Diamante and round Capo di Bonifati.  The white statue of Christ with arms outstretched on the mountain above Maratea can be seen for miles on a clear day and it is sometimes lit at night.

 

We passed two islands on our way Dino and Cirella.  Dino appears to have a number of caves and although not inhabited the caves are reported to be similar to Capri’s Blue Grotto. Cirella is smaller and is also uninhabited and is only identified by a tower on its summit. 

 

Jim spotted a flying fish yesterday and one today.  It is amazing how they fly just above the water for seconds. 

 

Cetraro is a small holiday town perched on a mountain side like most of the towns we have passed down this part of Italy. The scenery6 is wonderful and there are mountains after mountains all along the coast.  The beach is grit but the water is about 30 degrees and blue.

 

We have just watched two men come to the beach this morning (Saturday) near where we are anchored and gather drift wood and set fire to it.  No problem to us but several families have arrived after the fires have been lit and pitched their brollies and towels and let the smoke blow over them.  Cannot imagine this would happen on our beloved Bournemouth beach!!

 

We are off now to Stromboli one of the Sicilian islands to anchor over night and watch the fireworks the volcano is famous for producing most nights.

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