Elba
Sealion
Richard Martin
Sun 5 Jun 2011 11:14
As planned we crossed the 30 miles from Corsica to The Island of Elba. A
pleasant NE 10 knot wind gave us a fairly close hauled sail until about half
way when the wind dropped right off and we had to motor sail the rest of the
way.
On route we passed the cruise ship Magic Disney that was just drifting
around - they announced of the VHF radio that they were drifting and not
under command. We did think of asking whether they wanted a tow/needed
salvaging but I think Sealion would have struggled a bit towing it. We think
they must have stopped to do Dolphin spotting (the area being said to be a
popular area for Dolphins). We did see a pod of Dolphins swimming/jumping
but they never came closure than about 300 metres from us which was a little
disappointing.
We decided to go to the South side of the Island to a place called Marina de
Campo - which isn't really a marina but a village with a harbour wall. On
arrival we found the sandy bay busy with Italian boats at anchor - the
harbour wall being full. We decided to anchor off for the night. As the
afternoon and early evening wore on the place just filled up with more and
more Italian boats all anchoring in the bay. There must have been a hundred
boats eventually some so close to us that you could have passed a glass of
wine across as we occasionally swung together. The Italian guy next to us,
seeing I was a bit nervous at he being so close, pronounced in good English
it was fine and would be no problem as no wind was forecasted.
Thursday had been Ascension day and we soon realized that it was half term
in Italy - so with good weather the place was like the Isle of White on an
August Bank holiday.
We moved on Saturday to Porto Azzurro to again find the place was fully
booked out for the night but duly told Sunday evening it would be empty -
The Italians going back to work - Hurrah! Again we anchored off in the bay
for the night and plan to go into the port Sunday for the night. Despite
being well sheltered some swell started during the night - I noticed in the
early hours that a number of boats were arriving with their lights on etc. -
I suspect that some wind had blown up somewhere and boats anchored off less
sheltered beaches etc. had to run for a safer bay. There are a lot of
thunderstorms rumbling around the Med at the moment but fortunately we have
been spared so far and the weather is still sunny and hot.
Pictures;
-Arrival to Elba
- Marina de Campo
- Old Prison off Porto Azzurro (Elba was at one time a prison colony for
serious offenders/Mafia etc.)
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