Monday 20^th July – Roccella Ionica, Calabria

38:19.664N 16:26.023E

Over night the wind continued to blow so we took down the sun awning once again, this time before going to bed J

This morning we were awake before the cockerel next door as a number of boats were on the move - today was due to be the start of a falling forecast.  The wind (and swell) towards Greece was still forecast to be strong so we decided to stay on.  As our neighbours were heading west they decided to leave as well so we stand a chance of being able to get a full night’s sleep tomorrow. 

I spent the morning scrubbing the deck and Pyxis is looking a lot cleaner now – not that she will stay that way long.  Richard took the one working bike into town and stocked up on fresh vegetables – yes, I trusted him and he didn’t do badly; of course there was not a broccoli spear in sight, but I haven’t seen any here anyway.

During the day the wind has remained light in the marina but the direction has changed.  Outside it has not been so kind.  A couple of boats have come in this evening from Messina telling tales of 30+ knot winds when they were expecting F4.  One boat returned this morning deciding that today was not the day for going to Siracusa.

Unlike other Mediterranean marinas which have tailed lines, this marina has finger berths with no lines.  This, coupled with the shallow entrance, has been causing a number of yachts a certain amount of difficulty. 

This evening an Israeli boat arrived who made the French look organised.  They were already in the berth as I stepped ashore to help and noticed they had no ropes at all.  It was hysterical.

We were then squeezed to within an inch of Pyxis’ life by a Dutch boat coming alongside; we are wedged like cheeses.  At the moment we are not sure how we will get out.

This afternoon we stowed the bikes back on board and refitted the sun awning.  This evening we filled the water tanks after showers before heading to the restaurant in the marina for pizza and a carafe of wine.  They sell pizza by the ½ metre here – you can choose two toppings on a ½ metre J

Oh, and Richard wanted me to mention that he tried the volumising shampoo this evening with his shower; it didn’t work.