30th September

Today was the last day of the rally. It started with a group breakfast and debrief. We then walked to visit on old church and the castle overlooking the town. In the evening we had the final event, a farewell awards ceremony and dinner. It's been interesting and we're glad we took part. We've made some friends who we hope to see again.

29th September

Somehow our leader Armando persuaded the local chandlery to take all my out of date flares. At last someone to take the explosives off the boat. Our tour today was to Agrigento, first the town for lunch and then to see the Greek temples. The evening was rounded off with a presentation of local wines and olive oil.

28th September

It's definitely that end of term feeling. Although we still have one more hop to do to Marina Di Ragusa we spent today packing up the boat ready for our departure next Tuesday.

27th September

Six am brought a big thunderstorm and a few hours of rain. We sat inside at anchor and watched the drizzle outside. By mid morning it had cleared and we motored to Licata, the final stop on our round Sicily rally. From here it is a relatively short distance to our winter berth. All the other boats headed here so we are once again together.

26th September

Most of the fleet decided to stay in harbour for another day. We motored East over a flat sea to anchor off a rock formation called the Turkish steps. The white rocks have been eroded to form a bank of natural steps rising steeply out of the sea. Towards nightfall crowds gathered on the steps to watch the sunset.

25th September

We still had 40 miles to make down the coast to Sciacca. Although the wind started light it picked up later and we had a few hours sailing downwind. We've been here before, twice, but it's a nice town and another opportunity to go ashore and stretch our legs.

24th September

At 6am Imagine started jerking at her lines. A massive thunderstorm hit the harbour. Lightning illuminated the early dawn, thunder crashed above and buckets of water fell from the sky. In a brief lull I dashed out in my trunks to empty the dinghy of water. An hour later all was calm and we dried off and took the opportunity to hoist the genoa which we had taken down yesterday because of equipment failure. Later we went to a small market, wandered briefly around the old town and returned to Imagine for lunch. Tomorrow we're meant to go to Pantalleria, an open water sail there of 60 miles and up to 100 miles to come back. Two of the boats have mutinied and won't do it. Instead of a tough few days to finish the rally we've now got a gentle cruise in prospect. We're not too disappointed.

18th September

We had the boat to ourselves. What to do? The weather was OK so we decided to press on to Cefalu 50 miles west along the coast of Sicily. Our leader pressed ahead overnight, one boat has mutinied and stayed in the islands and of the other four only two are together. For us it was a long tedious motor on gently rolling seas.

23rd September

We left early to get to Marsala by 10:00. When everyone was ready we were treated to a tour of the local producer of Marsala wine. This was followed by a tasting of several glasses of the fortified wine. It was then necessary to lie down for a couple of hours. In the late afternoon we went in a convoy of cars to the salt pans of Trapani. We learned how sea salt was produced and watched the sun go down behind the salt works. It was then all back in the car and off for supper. The venue was in an old quarry. The food was taken outside on long benches. Many toasts were made by members of the brotherhood of the coast (don't ask). We finally got back to the boat well past midnight.

22nd September

After breakfast we climbed up to the castle overlooking the town and were rewarded with a great view south over the harbour. By the time we got back Akaroa II had tied up to the town quay and we moved to moor alongside. In the evening we joined them for a meal in the town.

Fwd: 22nd September

This should be 21st

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Begin forwarded message:

From: david goldhill <davidrgoldhill@gmail.com>
Date: 23 September 2017 at 19:59:38 CEST
To: Imagine Blogger <david.goldhill.lepicaron@blogger.com>
Subject: 22nd September

It was time to move on to the Egadi Islands. Another long and tedious passage motoring most of the way brought us to Favignana. After anchoring to check the props we decided to head for the harbour and attached to a pontoon for the night.

22nd September

It was time to move on to the Egadi Islands. Another long and tedious passage motoring most of the way brought us to Favignana. After anchoring to check the props we decided to head for the harbour and attached to a pontoon for the night.

20th September

How wonderful to be secured to a pontoon. That didn't stop the hard blackout Perspex falling on Lucinda three times in the night. It was windy in the bay but we were happy to explore the town and do the shopping. I had a siesta while Lucinda cleaned the boat. We then went to town to eat and think of those in the UK celebrating the Jewish New Year.

19th September

In the night the wind had done a U turn. After a rolly night we didn't want to stay so headed out. It was hard work motoring to windward but we persisted. We struggled on for 9 hours and fifty miles until we rounded the final headland and could sail the last twelve miles to our destination of Castellamarr Del Golfo where we moored next to Armando, our leader. On mooring I managed to get a rope around the propeller. Once that was sorted we had time for drinks, a light meal and an early night, for once safely attached to a stable pontoon.

18th September

We woke up and conditions were too good to miss the chance to make progress. We headed 50 miles east to Cefalu riding a big swell with light winds from behind. We arrived just as Akaroa II headed out. They are much faster and we were tired so we decided not to follow them but anchored for the night.

17th September

We set off after an early breakfast to climb the volcano once again. We came back via Antonio's for a granita and booked a table for the evening at Maurizio's. Tomorrow's winds look favourable. After that it's going to be hard to make progress westward. David and Nanci checked into a room for the night as we were considering leaving to sail overnight and make the most of the weather. After much discussion and dithering we decided to stay as did most of the other boats. Sadly the Rally is in danger of falling apart.

26th September

We left our peaceful anchorage and after two miles the wind suddenly blew up to 30 knots. Change of plan and we diverted from Stromboli to Volcano. 16 miles out the wind suddenly dropped and we slowly sailed to our destination going via the fuel bay to fill our tanks. In the evening we wandered round the town before eating on board.

15th September

Today's task was to get through the Strait of Messina. The forecast was for light winds and a favourable tide. Inevitably the winds were very strong and directly against us, and the tide was also from the wrong direction until we had almost got through the Strait. It was a long slog on two engines only relieved by brief sail as we crossed to the Italian mainland at the beginning of the Strait. Once through the gap the wind and seas completely subsided as though a switch had been turned. We picked up a buoy for the night. I had time to service the toilet which needed urgent attention. Three other rally boats were there. In the evening we ate together in a restaurant in the town.

Really the 14th September

Of course yesterday's blog should have been the 13th.

The night was quiet but a bit rolly. After breakfast we went ashore and eventually found ourselves in Taormina. We wandered through the crowded pedestrian streets lined with smart shops. A taxi took as to the small town higher up the mountain where we had lunch. Back in Taormina we had time to see the Greek theatre before heading to Etna. What an incredible sight it is. A huge area of old lava dotted with craters all sitting on a huge magma collection some 12 km below the surface. At nearly 2,000 metres above sea level we were warmly dressed as we watched the sun set over the rugged, barren, lava desert.

14th September

I forgot to say we saw dolphins, about 6 for about 5 minutes

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14th September

Today's destination was nearly 50 miles north up the coast of Sicily so we set off as soon as we got up. Winds were light so we mainly motored to arrive off Taormina by late afternoon where we anchored for the night. Later we entertained most of the other participants. Imagine sunk low in the water with the wright of humanity. The anchorage was rolly but otherwise fine.

12th September

We spent a secure night at anchor although we were told wind strength touched 45 knots. Before breakfast we took Imagine back to the public quay. The morning was spent with a guide exploring Syracuse with lunch in the market. Those interested went in the afternoon to the archeological sites. In the evening Lucinda, myself, David and Nanci had a drink in a bar overlooking the harbour followed by dinner in the old town.

11th September

It's been fun and games today. It was OK until about 7 am. Then the wind increased. The boats alongside of us had concerns. We were OK but I was worried we might be damaged by the boat alongside and, with the forecast saying winds would increase, I decided to head out and anchor in the bay. Most of the rally boats made the same decision. We spent the day holed up but comfortable, catching up on sleep and reading.

10th September

We set off at 5am towards Syracuse and were rewarded by a spectacular sunrise. The sun appeared as a large dull red glowing balloon rising rapidly over the low lying land. The 60 miles to our destination were uneventful with a mixture of motoring, motor sailing and finally sailing without engines for the last couple of hours. Nanci took until late morning to perk up. David suffered from seasickness for most of the journey only making it to the cockpit as we neared our destination. By then the wind and got up and it was too strong for us to moor on the town quay so we anchored in the bay. Later there was a lull and we tied up ashore, attached a multitude of lines and went for a meal.

7th to 9th September.

We needed a bit more time to prepare Imagine and get to know the sailors joining us on the rally. A motley crew is as good a description as any. Two British boats, a German, a French, a Swiss and an Australian along with our leader. On the Friday it rained torrentially all day. Lucinda's hairdresser, Michael, visited with his aged mother who, aided by her stick, had to be goaded across the gangplank. David and Nanci Lister turned up in the evening. Fortunately the weather had improved so we were able to go out to eat. Saturday was busy with all day tours to Ragusa, Modica and Scicli followed by a cultural experience and meal in a cheese makers.

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4th to 6th September

For those waiting expectantly for the blog, the wait is over. We got here uneventfully on Monday. The weather is hot but not unbearably. We've been sorting out Imagine and getting her ready for our departure on Sunday or Monday. We've met some of the people joining us on the rally round Sicily. It should be fun.

We're adjusting to being afloat again. It doesn't take long.