11th June Gaeta to the Island of d'Ischia

Sealion
Richard Martin
Tue 11 Jun 2013 21:10
40 45N  13 56E
 
We stayed an extra day at Gaeta to pick Bob up from the local station and do some washing and stock up with food etc.  Bob flew in to Rome from Bristol and then caught the train South to us arriving about 8.30pm. We had diner at 'Ciro's' said to be one of the first restaurants to serve Pizza's in the 20's and what a Pizza they served - they were enormous.
 
The wind was very strong during the day and a couple of boats arrived (one French and one British ) both saying it had been pretty rough etc. This wasn't forecast so glad we hadn't gone out.
 
Today the wind was forecast to be a little less at F5 so we decided to have a go and head South. Initially the sea was pretty flat - despite yesterdays wind - and calm. This soon changed as the wind filled in about 11.00 am, as usual. We soon had a good F5 with 17 to 20 knots on the beam and the sea swell rapidly increased with 1 to 2 metres on our beam (why so much I don't really know). The boat however went like a train at some 7+ knots but poor Alison wasn't too impressed with the rather big seas, so disappeared down below for most of the trip.
 
Having covered some 32 nautical mile we arrived at the Island of D'Ischia on the North side of the gulf of Naples. We have been told and read that many consider it superior to Capri, which is on the South side of the gulf of Naples. Apparently it is not always easy to get a berth in the main Port here, but as luck had it we got in no problem and were soon tied up (maybe because it was so rough no one else ventured out). The quay is like a mini St Tropez with lovely little bars and Restaurants. Walking around we discovered it was full of very smart designer shops in the best Italian style. The marina fee was similarly eye watering to match.
 
We are thinking of staying another night so we can go tomorrow to one of the hot volcanic spa's that the Island is famed for. 
 
Look careful at the picture of the church and you will see the nun ringing the bell for Vespas. We were happily sitting at the bar opposite having a beer when she performed for us.
 
 

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