Friday 15^th May – Monastir, Tunisia (Market)

35:46.823N 10:49.956E

This morning we decided to take the bikes and cycle down to the large local market behind the fishing port.  It was a pleasant ride along the coast and flat which was nice as it’s the first outing since leaving Cagliari on the bikes.

We locked our bikes outside the chandlery there, as advised by our French friend from Bizerte who is currently docked at the fishing port having some welding done; we went to say ‘hello’ and then went off to the market. 

The area at the back of the fishing port and the market was really dirty with rubbish all over and the place smelt bad in the heat and wind. 

Well, we’ve never seen anything like it.  It was set out like a jumble sale really with piles of second hand clothes and shoes, everywhere, even on the floor.  There were also some fake designer clothes and fragrances, my favourite being one with the spelling of Hugo Boss as Hogu Boos.  Quiet an experience!

There were also some very good fruit and vegetable stalls piled high with produce which I couldn’t resist but I washed everything very well on my return.

This afternoon the weather turned humid.  After lunch, as the wind was quiet, we re-hoisted the genoa, and then we had another go at trimming the new foam mattress we bought in Cagliari to fit our bunk.  Later Richard repaired the stitching around the back of the cockpit enclosure.

Late afternoon the wind blew up and the rain came in.  This evening we are holding on as we rock around in our berth in winds gusting 30-40 knots on the beam.  It might be a fitful night’s sleep L

This night we finally finished the tuna J

Monastir:  Local market

© Pyxis 2009