Pink Flamingos!  What an amazing welcome they gave us, flying in full squadron formation over us as we motored gently into the big commercial harbor that is Cagliari and tied up in Marina del Sole, euphemistically called a “family run, friendly place”.  I guess I forgot the connotation of the word “family” in Italy but was soon reminded as I got into negotiations about the price.

All day we had motored south, deep into the Bay of Cagliari, continuing the now rewarding job of valeting Oboe above and below decks.  Pride in our work set in and it seemed that no one wanted to call it a day – actually the skipper (me) flaked first and became tea maker for the slaves.  But we arrived earlier than usual and were able to make for the old town, a well-earned ice cream, a walk and eventually a delightful meal out on the narrow pavement of an ancient “via” before walking calmly back to the marina and total collapse.

Gill leaves us here for a couple of weeks, so the next day saw us researching hotels for her somewhere small, with a beach, a pool and plenty of quiet solitude given as the spec.  An adopted taxi driver, a young, cheeky, handsome Sard recommended Costa Rei, with its beautiful sands and crystal clear waters and that is where Gill is now!

Geoff arrived a day after us, reuniting Tereza and Josef for a short time, before heading off, eventually to sail east to the Greek islands. 

Laundry, chores, shopping, a mast climb to reverse the tricolor lens that last time I put on backwards and infernal emails soaked up much time until David and Giovanna arrived and took up residence in the immaculately prepared fore cabin (OK, I’m allowed a boast, as I did little or nothing towards its pristine condition, which has most to do with Gill’s hard work, attention to detail and eye for style).

As evening fell, the Mistral took hold and thoughts of leaving for a nearby anchorage faded.  Dinner was served, wine was drunk and reminiscences flowed between David and Nigel.  Sleep came easily and morning came too quickly but you find us on a glorious Sunday under sail a few miles out of Cagliari, gently beating in glassy waters along the south coast back towards Isola di S Antioco …

Follow our progress here:

http://blog.mailasail.com/oboe, where you can see our daily progress on Google Earth.  Email us at: oboe {CHANGE TO AT} mailasail {DOT} com any time you like.  Phone us on +881 631 669 194 and we’ll pick up via Iridium satellite.

Fair winds to you all.

Nigel

Josef

Giovanna

David