26th May

This morning we had to move to a different mooring. Lines were cast off and we were ready to go. It then became clear we had a line round the starboard propeller, again. A diver from Sassari would take time and be expensive. On went my wet suit and weight belt, and I was over the side. Ten minutes later we were free. But now the port engines is making worrying noises. Never mind, we'll have a cup of tea and pack up in preparation of leaving tomorrow.

25th May

This morning we set off back to Castelsardo. The wind was lighter but still force 4. It was cold and uncomfortable beating to windward to get to our destination. By early afternoon we were docked and we will leave Imagine here until we return in about 10 days. Later I met my new best friend, Giuseppe, a marine electrician. I need a new VRS and two solar panel regulators. Once they are sorted that only leaves the malfunctioning heater and wonky propeller that I know of. There will be other things.

24th May

Th wind continued unabated overnight. At least we got a good night's sleep sheltered in the marina. We explored the town in the morning. In the afternoon we had a long walk to a tower overlooking both sides of the ocean, the open sea to the west, and the more sheltered bay to the east. The narrow Fornelli passage was outlined by frothy breakers. The anchorage below us was a pale iridescent blue. In the evening we are ashore.

23rd May

Last night was like being back in the washing machine. Imagine jiggled and surged and bounced attached to the buoy as we had another night of strong winds. We planned to stay another tonight but we decided we couldn't face it. In a force 7 wind we headed 8 miles across the bay to Stintino. It was a struggle to berth in a strong cross wind. Somehow we managed it without getting ropes round the propellers. The wind shows no sign of abating but at least we can walk ashore.

22nd May

We stayed at our peaceful anchorage until after lunch. Our destination, the island of Asinara was 6 miles away. Once there and tied to a buoy we went ashore for a walk. By nightfall we were the only boat there, and for all we know the only people left in the island.

21st May

The wind was light and the sky was blue. Not quite hot enough for shorts but a definite improvement. We tried sailing but then had to motor almost to the western edge of the island. Here we dropped anchor in the company of another 8 or 9 boats. By nightfall most had gone and as the sun set over the very end of Sardinia we prepared to spend the night at anchor.

20th May

For once it was a lovely day. In the morning we took the short bus trip up to the old town of Castelsardo which unsurprisingly means Sardinian castle. The castle was small but perfectly formed and housed a museum of basket weaving. There was also a cute church and a modest cathedral to see before stopping for a drink. The view over the harbour and surrounding countryside was stunning. We then walked back to the boat. In the evening we went back to the town to eat.

19th May

A day of mixed progress. We hung around all morning to see if they could lift Imagine. Then shortly before noon they said let's go. She was hoisted without fuss although her sides got dirty. They then pressure washed her and went for lunch while I changed the anodes and serviced the propellers. It was obvious that one set of props were different from the other. I had a long conversation with the U.K. agent and we concluded that it probably wasn't catastrophic, which of course left the possibility that it could be. By the time we were back in the water the weather had turned miserable again and the boat, which Lucinda had cleaned yesterday, was dirty once more. At this point we gave up and sat inside reading.

18th May

The wind died away in the late evening and for the first time we spent a peaceful night at anchor. The winds today were light or nonexistent so we took the opportunity to motor through the Strait of Bonifacio to head west down the northern coast of Sardinia. On the other side of the Strait is Corsica, only six miles away. By early evening we were in the marina of Castelsardo under the buildings of the old town and castle. We have now almost circumnavigated Sardinia, a total of 400 miles over the last two weeks.

Re: 17th May

My mistake, we're heading west

Sent from my iPhone

> On 17 May 2016, at 16:16, David Home <david.goldhill@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
> This morning we felt we'd spent the whole night in a washing machine. We were churned up by a nasty chop that swirled around our mooring. Once again, depressingly, the forecast was for strong winds from the west. We slowly ground our way over the top of Sardinia and, for the first time, started heading east. All the time the wind was against us, and getting stronger most of the time. Eventually we made our anchorage, Porto Palma, on the island of Caprera in the Maddalenas. It would be wonderful if only the wind would abate. There are only four boats at anchor including us, three Brits and a Kiwi. All the sensible people are safely in harbour.

17th May

This morning we felt we'd spent the whole night in a washing machine. We were churned up by a nasty chop that swirled around our mooring. Once again, depressingly, the forecast was for strong winds from the west. We slowly ground our way over the top of Sardinia and, for the first time, started heading east. All the time the wind was against us, and getting stronger most of the time. Eventually we made our anchorage, Porto Palma, on the island of Caprera in the Maddalenas. It would be wonderful if only the wind would abate. There are only four boats at anchor including us, three Brits and a Kiwi. All the sensible people are safely in harbour.

16th May

Boy was it windy last night. The wind didn't whistle, it screamed. But in the morning we were still there. We cast off and headed north. At last we can slow down as we are three quarters of the way round Sardinia and for once we are entering an area with many safe anchorages and harbours. It was slow progress getting to our destination. We planned to anchor but as we approached there was a man on a pontoon beckoning us over. Why not I thought. He helped us in and then told us it would be 80 euros for the night. After haggling he said 60 was his best price. We said we'd leave but while casting off I got lines round both props. By the time it was sorted we thought we ought to stay; that was 60 for the mooring and 20 plus a beer for the diver who freed the lines. Next time we anchor.

15th May

Today's forecast was for even stronger winds so we stayed put. In fact for most of the day it wasn't too bad although a boat that arrived from the south reported similar conditions to yesterday. We managed to find an open supermarket in the morning and walked along the beach in the afternoon.

14th May

The Mistral, a strong westerly wind, continued to blow. As we headed north up the coast of Sardinia we had to cross the Golfo di Orosei. We were warned that the wind is funnelled off the mountains at this point. Well they weren't wrong. The day started pleasantly enough but as we reached the gulf the wind increased and for the next 3 hours we had winds of 30 knots or more with at least one gust of over 40. That's windy, perhaps the highest speeds we've encountered so far on Imagine. Although there were plenty of white horses the sea wasn't too bad as the wind was coming off the shore. After we closed the land things were a little easier but the direction turned against us so it continued to be hard work. Later on the wind increased again blowing a steady force 8 and gusting 9. Fortunately there was another harbour eight miles short of our destination and we headed there happy that we had done enough for the day. There were white horses in the marina and the wind whistled through the rigging and tugged at our mooring ropes. The boat is now in the centre of a cat's cradle of lines. It's going to take more than a strong puff of wind to move us now. Someday we hope to have the warm weather, calm seas and gentle breezes that we expected.

13th May

For once there was no urgency to roll out of bed and get going. Lucinda did the washing and then we went shopping. Sadly no chocolate chip biscuits and, so far, we've seen no evidence that pickle or lime cordial are known about in Sardinia. After lunch we took a walk along a spectacular coastal path meeting groups of elderly tourists with stout shoes and walking sticks coming the other way.

12th May

After three miles we turned the corner at the bottom of Sardinia and headed north along the east coast. It was a bit cold and I sat at the helm with a blanket wrapped round me. Otherwise it was the best conditions so far; a decent beam breeze, flattish seas and even large patches of blue sky. We passed a fishing boat called Alice going the other way. There was a military helicopter flying circles ahead. As we got level we were intercepted (again) and ordered four miles off shore. At least the wind direction didn't make this detour too onerous. The wind increased even further and we had long periods when we were moving at more than 7 knts despite our dirty bottom. Ten miles out from our destination the wind suddenly vanished so we slowly motored in. It was a long day but, eventually, after sailing 62 miles we tied up in the marina at Santa Maria Navarrese

11th May

The diver promised for 6am didn't arrive. He was then coming at 9 and eventually arrived at 10. It took him less than a minute to disentangle the rope and then we were off. For the first hour we were in fog with visibility of a few hundred metres. When it cleared we had a strong wind but this time it was from behind. We decided to skip Cagliari and went across to Villasimius where we refuelled. At last we're making progress.

10th May

The forecast was not great but better than any we'd had so far so we decided to go for it. It was blowing 20 knts in the harbour which meant a double reef in the mainsail before we cautiously crept out expecting the worst. Within 20 minutes the wind had almost disappeared and we were motoring. The first half of the journey was pleasant, then the wind got up. Inevitably it was blowing hard from where we were headed. Just when we were getting close to rounding a headland a patrol boat ordered us three miles off shore to avoid a NATO firing range. By this time Lucinda was lying prostrate on the floor. We had a long detour and the wind and waves increased. We arrived, eventually, and safely moored to the jetty. The marinero then arrived and wanted us to go to the other side. And that was when a line got wrapped round the propeller. A cup of tea, a biscuit and a shower made things feel better. The marina is in the middle of nowhere. Later we took a taxi six kilometres to the town for a very mediocre meal.

9th May

We're still stuck. Today we hired bicycles and pedalled to the other side of the island. In all directions we pushed on into a strong headwind. Outside of Carloforte nothing is open; not a pizza place, not a bar. We had our packed lunch on a desolate windswept beach watching the white horses out to sea. There is a lot of waiting involved with sailing at this time of year.

8th May

At least the rain has stopped but the wind is blowing strongly from where we want to head. We went to walk round the big fresh water lagoon behind the town. It was deserted until we came across the cemetery. Large family mausoleums were lined up in rows. The names of the dead were given a relevance through the photos stuck to the front of each mausoleum. Families were laying fresh cut flowers on them. We then got lost and had to retrace our route until we found the right path. A few desultory flamingos were plodding along in the shallow. Back in the centre of the town boys were playing football and families were out in the few bars that were opened. We read the papers and watched a DVD. It's forecast to be even windier tomorrow.

7th May

As forecast today has been truly miserable. It's been raining pretty much all day. Outside it is grey and gloomy. Somehow it is made worse knowing the UK has glorious weather. We're safe, warm and comfortable on the boat but it's not exactly what we signed up for.

6th May

The forecast for tomorrow is miserable and it's not great for today or Sunday. And with strong easterly winds it doesn't look as though we will be heading east anytime soon. We took ourselves off to a small town four miles up a narrow channel and anchored for lunch. Kite boarders and wind surfers swooped around us as they enjoyed the strong winds in shallow sheltered water. We couldn't leave Imagine to go ashore so after lunch we headed back to the marina. This time with the wind behind we flew along under foresail only.

5th May

The sunrise was spectacular. We slipped the buoy and headed south. With little wind we motored on past Buggerru to the Isola di San Pietro and the marina of Carloforte. The bleak shore had little shelter and few signs of life. Apart from a few distant fishing boats we were all alone. Marinas are full of boats that never seem to leave but they had plenty of space for us. Lucinda was overjoyed as there was a washing machine. Later on our boat was draped with drying clothes. We then went ashore to see what this resort town had to offer. It is famed for its tuna restaurants. After wandering the streets and finding almost everything closed we had a pizza.

4th May

We are now 46 miles further south after an early start from Alghero. There was a swell that made us realise we hadn't been to sea for a while. We took seasick pills which promptly sent Lucinda to sleep. The weather was good but we had a cold wind in our faces. Later a small bird hitched a lift. It was bold enough to sit on the wheel just in front of us. When we got to the Gulf of Oristano we picked up a buoy just off the ruins of the Punic-Roman town of Tharros.

3rd May

We're off, but only a short distance. After lunch we took the big psychological jump and left Fertilia. It was only to go two miles across the bay to Alghero. We tied up to the town quay for the night. We met two British couples with boats close by. That let to drinks on board one of their boats before we left for a pizza in town. With luck we'll be heading South tomorrow.

2nd May

Well we didn't leave today and we're not leaving tomorrow. Six out of the eight main boat batteries are duds. The mechanics have been fabulous. They've been here all day. They've taken all the batteries out. Bear in mind they're heavy truck units. They've relocated them into a more accessible place. We've ditched two of them to make it work but that still leaves us with plenty of power in theory. It only remained to hit the credit card hard. It's been overcast, cold and rainy so staying wasn't an issue. There are always problems. Fingers crossed the battery problems are now solved. What will be next?

1st May

This morning was clear so we took our chance and went for a long walk along the coast and back. Lucinda, as usual, plucked random flowers from the roadside. As predicted in the afternoon a storm blew in with strong winds and rain. We were cosy on Imagine rocking on our moorings reading the paper and then watching two more episodes of Game of Thrones.