29th June

Today was overcast, cooler and almost windless. It was also our wedding anniversary. We motored south to La Caletta. Last time we were here, that time heading north, it was gusting force 9 and we arrived feeling battered. This time Lucinda was lying out on the side decks while I listened to Country music on my headphones. In the afternoon we went for a walk along the beach and back. When we returned to Imagine the marineros asked us to move to make way for a large day-trip boat. By this time the wind was blowing strongly and pushing us against the quay. It required some guile and brute force to get out but our new berth round the corner was much more sheltered.

28th June

As we didn't have to meet Sue and Roger we decided to set off towards the bottom of Sardinia. In much calmer weather we threaded our way between islands to anchor off the island of Tavolara. The views towards the mainland were stunning. There were two restaurants by the beach. This was probably the nicest place we had found so far. We ate in the less posh restaurant just very slightly spoilt by the big blingy motorboat that parked blocking most of the view.

27th June

As we were still on the pontoon we took the opportunity to go for a long walk up to the top of the hill overlooking the bay. The wind was still blowing hard all day. In the evening we went onto another boat for drinks before going to watch the football. England versus Iceland should have been one sided. Iceland won. It was dire and Roy Hodgson resigned. Who wants to be English these days?


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26th June

Annoyingly it remained calm overnight. However there are advantages to being on a pontoon and the wind got up again in the afternoon. We all had ice creams and Lucinda went to the laundrette before we saw Emily off on the bus to Olbia airport. Later two British couples on other boats came aboard for pre dinner drinks. In the meantime Germany won their Euros match and most of Jeremy Corbyn's cabinet resigned.

25th June

A few other boats stayed overnight in this big anchorage. The wind increased once again in the morning but faded away as we motored back south to Cannnigione. We anchored outside the marina. As the afternoon went on the wind increased. It's meant to be blowing hard for the next three days. I couldn't face the thought of bouncing around anymore. We went into the marina to a walk ashore pontoon to be paid for from my newly devalued euros. At least it gave me the opportunity to watch Wales vs Northern Ireland.

24th June

An historic day. The UK voted Brexit. Nothing seemed to have changed in our anchorage except Imagine with it's British ensign was surrounded by foreigners. Somehow it felt different. We had an exhilarating sail to the mainland. The wind was blowing strongly once again. The kite boarders and wind surfers loved it flying (sometimes literally) around our anchorage. We were rocking, the bay full of white horses and the wind once again screaming through the rigging. We were anchored off a long sandy beach but did not manage to get to the shore.

23rd June

Lucinda and I went for a walk on the cliffs overlooking Bonifacio. A superyacht left the harbour dwarfing Imagine. We left the marina and headed to the Corsican island of Lavezzi. The anchorage lay within a ring of rocks. Later we went for a walk ashore before settling down for the night. In the morning we will find out if we are in or out of the EU. We hope Sophie's move went OK although the news is full of reports of flooding in SE England.

22nd June

This time we didn't pay the park charges. There were still no buoys and no one came to bother us. We'd heard that Bonifacio in Corsica is worth visiting so me motored across the strait dividing it from Sardinia switching from Italian to French courtesy flags. The old town is perched on hollowed out cliffs facing out to sea. The harbour is down a narrow inlet which was teaming with manoeuvring boats, as well as a couple of superyachts. We reprovisioned and went into the old town to eat.

21st June

Lucinda and I got back in the boat at 1 a.m. Feeling slightly jaded. At 3 a.m. Emily, who had gone back to the boat earlier, woke up worried that we hadn't made it back. We motored and sailed seven miles north to anchor in the Cala Giorgio where three of the Maddalena islands enclose a magical anchorage. At lunchtime it was quite crowded with day trippers and tourist boats. By sun down there were about a dozen boats left at anchor. Lots of people were swimming from their boats. Emily tested the water temperature and we all opted to have a hot shower on board. In the evening we witnessed one of the most spectacular sunsets before the full moon rose in the east.

20th June

We were planning to go to Porto Pozzo and Harry and Margot said they were going there and to join them for supper. The weather wasn't bad although the light wind, inevitably, was blowing straight at us as we motored round. The restaurant has a pontoon so we moored alongside which meant we had power and could fill with water. We were joined by Sean and Bernie, Irish friends of the others. After a few beers we went for a walk before we ate. What a delightful and peaceful place, great food and fantastic company.

19th June

We headed north and managed to dodge the rain clouds. By lunchtime we were anchored outside of Cannnigione. Shortly after the rain descended. By the time I'd read the papers the weather had improved and Lucinda and I went ashore for a walk and to shop. Later Margot and Harry from No Agenda came over for drinks and we put the world to rights.

18th June

We thought we'd go to Olbia to meet Emily who is flying in this afternoon. They quoted €122 for a night so we thought again. Porto Rotondo was nearby and accessible from the airport. In the three days since we were last there fees have gone up by 80%, but it was still cheaper than Olbia and more convenient to get among the Maddelenas and mainland anchorages. We sat at anchor in a cove near the marina and went in mid afternoon. Emily joined us late afternoon. The wind was blowing hard, again. I've now learned Sardinia is known as the windy island, and rain is forecast for tomorrow. Tonight we had pizzas and watched the football.

17th June

We sailed 20 miles back south and anchored in Cala di Volpe in time for lunch. People were swimming off other boats but Lucinda and I decided the water was far too cold. Later we took the dinghy to the beach and had a walk before heading back to Imagine for the night.

16th June

We had a windless night at anchor. In the morning we motored a mile further into the inlet and picked up a buoy opposite Cannagione. After lunch we went ashore. I found a bar to watch the football while Lucinda went for a walk. A desultory handful of Brits watched England against Wales. The game was dire and England looked relieved to get a 90th minute winning goal. By this time the wind had got up again so we stayed on board for supper.

15th June

This morning for the first time in three days there were no white horses in the bay outside the marina. We motored north in a light breeze and practiced the man over board drill. By noon the wind had increased to 15 knots, inevitable blowing directly from the direction of our destination. Nonetheless it was great to be moving once again and, with Lucinda on the side deck soaking up the sun, we motored slowly onwards. We anchored in time for a late lunch and stayed the night at anchor.

14th June

The wind has continued whistling, groaning, wailing and screaming. We're in the most sheltered part of the marina so only rock gently and vibrate from the effect of the wind on our shrouds. Our mooring ropes have been stretched tight but so far have held. This morning we took the bus to the Jewel of the Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo. The row of superyachts and the quayside Rolls Royce dealership told us this was not the Sardinian equivalent of Lowestoft, or even Cowes. We wandered around. It was quiet and soulless. Then we took the bus back. Lucinda cleaned the boat while I had a siesta.

13th June

The sea was being whipped into froth and Imagine was quivering on her mooring. The forecast was accurate. It gave us an opportunity to catch up with all our tasks and go shopping, have a walk, watch a DVD.

12th June

The Mistral was on its way with very strong winds forecast for the next three days. Rather than sail round to Olbia we decided to stay in our smart purpose built marina. Melanie and Kennan were leaving so we took the bus to Olbia. We were wrong in our assumption it would stop in the centre of the town. By the time we realised we had a fair walk back to the town. On the way back we came upon a small restaurant that was serving large Sunday dinners to local families so at 2:30 p.m. we sat down to dig into the fare. It was an entirely satisfying lunch that took us most of the way towards the time for our guests to go to the airport and for us to return to the boat. The harbour in Olbia is industrial and unattractive. We were happy to get on the bus back again. By this time the wind had increased and the sea was covered with white horses. Imagine vibrated as the wind tore through the rigging but we were safe and comfortable in harbour.

11th June

It was colder and overcast. We sailed south through the islands to Porto Rotondo. Many millions of pounds worth of boats were passed on the way including Dilbar, the biggest private yacht by volume if not length. It was bloody big however you measure it. The massive racing boats were also out. We arrived in time to go to the restaurant by the marina and have Pizzas separate by Euro 2016 matches.

10th June

We had an undisturbed night at anchor along with several other boats. No sign of the park warden. After breakfast we slowly made our way to anchor off Isola Budelli, one of the northern islands. This was clearly the place to go. It's an idyllic anchorage with a sandy beach and is a prime destination for day trip tourist boats. By 4 p.m. Most of the boats had cleared off. No one had come to check our permit or tell us to go, so we stayed put for the night.

9th June

Melanie and I went to find the Maddelena park office. It took some time but we got there. We obtained the 40% discount not available online for a permit for two nights to stay in the protected areas. Then we were told we could only anchor up to 10 p.m. but needed to be attached to a buoy if we wanted to stay overnight. One slight problem they hadn't got round to laying the buoys. Anyway we sailed to the next island and anchored in a sheltered bay. Over the afternoon several more boats joined us. We took the dinghy ashore and went for a walk. In the evening most of the boats were still at anchor so we decided to stay. By nightfall no one had asked us to move.

8th June

In the morning we had a lovely downwind sail of 12 miles to the marina at La Maddalena, the only town on the main island. The seafront and one road behind were quaint and attractive. Behind that was a semi-industrial area of no great beauty. After we walked through town we had a siesta before going out to eat.

7th June

It was time to head 25 miles to the east. As we set off the port engine exhibited the signs of a rope wrapped round the propeller. Not again! We made our way under sail and with some help from the starboard engine. By four p.m. We were at anchor. There were already another eight boats in the bay. Up to now we've hardly seen any other boats outside of the marinas. It was time to get into the wetsuit again. There was a long length of rope around the propeller. It took some time and nifty knife work but I think I freed it.

6th June

We were back courtesy of Ryanair. The boat was where we left her so we went to the supermarket to stock up. Later we went to the old town above the harbour. Finally the weather was warm enough to eat outside.