italy

Philippides III
Chris & Carol Jackson
Mon 25 May 2009 09:23
We left Malazzo yesterday morning at 0600 and motored the 20 miles to the Straits Of Messina, we actually got some wind and sailed for 3 or 4 hours, we caught vthe tide right and reached 10 knots through the straits, the big thing here is swordfish and apparently they lie just beneath the surface, the swordfish boats are equipped with incredibloy long bowsprits, maybe a 40 foot boat will have a 100 foot bowsprit and a 100 foot mast, the guys climb the mast and scout ofr the fish and when they spot one they creep up and harpoon them from the bowsprit, cruel but I suppose they have been doing it for years and no worse than any other kind of fishing. After our 80 euros a night in Malazzo, it was good to come to this strange marina in Rocello Ionica, silted entrance, we scraped in with about 4 inches under our keel, no electricity but lots of water, and FREE! Unbelievable, first 5 nights are free, so its a day off today with swimming and picnic on the agenda.
Chris
 
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