Monday 4^th May – Hammamet-Monastir, Tunisia

35:46.823N 10:49.956E

Today we were up early to get ready to leave; the wind was quiet so we decided to slip from our berth and go alongside the marina reception wall to complete exit formalities and finish breakfast before it piped up again.  At 7am local time, we cast off and headed out into the Gulf of Hammamet en-route to Monastir, 39nm down the coast. 

We motored out for half an hour and then the wind started to fill in so we started sailing, close hauled at first but before long we were on a reach with a definite F5 and needing to reduce sail.  The wind went round a little further and we had a great sail down in F5-6 with remarkably flat seas, running on just the genoa.  We shot off at one point as the wind went up to a F7 but fortunately it soon eased back to a F5-6.  The day was hot and sunny, with some haze reducing visibility a little.

Around lunchtime the wind started to ease to a F4 and then continued to reduce until we were forced to put the motor on for the final run down to Monastir.  Mid afternoon, as we entered the marina the wind fell right away which was quite fortunate for parking – we have a great spot in the marina but it was a little tight getting down between the pontoons due to the mooring lines of the other boats extending out so far.  The marinaro was very friendly and helpful getting us tied off in our berth.

Once in the marina, with no wind, it was incredibly hot and soon we had both changed into shorts.

We went for a walk around the marina to explore and soon found our neighbour from Bizerte.  He was just on his way into town to go to an internet cafe and invited us along to show us the way, so we set off for an impromptu guided tour. 

As we walked back from town into the marina we saw a boat entering through the breakwater.  It was Con and Barb on Big Sky on their way in from the nearby fishing harbour where they had just been relaunched after having some work done ashore.  We first met Con and Barb in Lagos last year.  We have exchanged e-mails recently about meeting up after they met Lynn and Lon on Mascot3 who had come down to Monastir recently.  We went and caught their lines to say 'hello', and then returned to Pyxis with our shopping.

This evening we have relaxed aboard after all our fresh air and exercise today.