Web Diary Page 3rd October 2007
Ladyliv
Mon 8 Oct 2007 00:40
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LADY LIV DIARY PAGE 3 OCTOBER
2007.
MILAZZO, MARINA DEL NETTUNO
POSN 38:13.12N 15:14.53E
Left Taormina early morning, no wind so motoring
all the way up through the Messina Straits towards Milazzo on the north coast of
Sicily. Bob managed to recalibrate the autohelm today, so we went
round in circles a few times !! The Messina Straits have a strong current
shift N-S and so our transit was planned to coincide with the northbound
current, and has had a reputation (ancient) of malicious whirlpools, lost
ships and mariners, reminiscent of Scylla & Charybdis ! In
reality, when the current changes from north to south, there are whirlpools, and
some very strange water patterns - as the photos show - we survived the narrow 3
mile channel though, despite the whirlpools, and the incredible amount of
shipping darting in and out of Reggio and Messina, and the tankers travelling up
and down the Straits. Once through, we motored on to a lunchtime stop,
where the sea was so green/blue and clear, we just had to have a swim !
Onwards then towards Milazzo, and we were very disappointed to see the
approaching horizon of chimneys belching smoke, gas and oil refineries, and what
is possibly the largest industrial area on Sicily ! The marina, was
just next to this industrial nightmare, tucked into the corner of the commercial
harbour. To make matters worse, when we checked in with the
swarthy Italian man who spoke no English at all - we had to pay 85 Euros for the
privilege of our one night stay, at rip-off marina. The facilities as
described in the Almanac, consisted of one toilet and combined shower - the
gents loo minus a seat or shower curtain or light bulb - all housed in a
floating porta-cabin - lovely !! Needless to say, we made sure that we got full
use of the 5 Euros we paid for the electricity and water - we charged every
conceivable appliance on board, and washed the boat from top to bottom early
next morning !
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