Friday 17^th July – Roccella Ionica, Calabria

38:19.664N 16:26.023E

Today was declared a day of rest.  So, we were up at 7.30am, had breakfast and were off to discover Roccella Ionica town by 9.30.  Supposedly this was to get a head start on the heat; however, the 30 minute walk along the path beside the sandy beach into town made us realise that the heat already had a head start on us.

In town, we had a welcome break in the air conditioned Tourist Information office; the staff were very friendly, spoke very little English but were very welcoming, insisting that we take away the information that was there, even though it was in Italian, and also insisting that we sign the Visitors book.

Roccella Ionica is famous for its large annual jazz festival but it is not on here this week.  We took a look around the rather sleepy town and the interesting modern churches before heading back in the mid-day heat (mad dogs and Englishmen time again).

After lunch I rinsed some more washing and Richard investigated a leak on the outboard engine. 

We then took the bikes off the boat to look at the tyres as one on each bike has gone flat.  Unfortunately it was not just a case of blowing up the tyres so it looks like tomorrows job is either a puncture repair or a new inner tube on each.

With the bikes off the boat, we re-fixed our new sun shade to provide even more shade.  Unfortunately as we did this some more stitching gave way on one of the zips on the cockpit enclosure – the sun is really taking its toll. 

This weekend there is some strong wind forecast so the marina has been filling up with transiting yachts.  This afternoon and evening we have been helping boats onto berths – there is no need for a marinaro here as, when a boat arrives, everyone is on the pontoon helping allocate an appropriate berth and helping with lines.  Lots of boats seem to have been arriving today and quite a few were very late on.  The latest boat arrived around 10pm, in total darkness, and we helped them in using our spotlight as we and a few others guided them onto an empty berth.  They have just arrived from Greece and were pretty tired and pleased to have some help.

This evening Richard has taken some sail thread and stitched up the zip on the cockpit enclosure whilst we enjoyed a well-needed sundowner and then we had dinner enjoying the cool of the evening in the cockpit.

Roccella Ionica:  Around the marina

Roccella Ionica:  About town

Roccella Ionica:  Local lizard

© Pyxis 2009