Aeolian Islands

We're tucked up in a bay, hiding from bad weather, on the island of Vulcano in the Aelolian group (Stromboli, Lipari etc.), under one of the two active volcanoes in the island group. Smells like rotten eggs a lot of the time. From Acitrezza we stopped at Taormina. Then it was an interesting, windy trip up the Straits of Messina, past the whirlpools of Scylla and Charibdis, which we didn't see. Almost turned back, but persisted through the wind and then the Tyrrenhian Sea was like a millpond - until yesterday. Salina next, then Lipari, Panarea and Stromboli.

In Porto Ponente, Vulcano

Back to Sicily

Well, it's great to be back after a few months in the UK working on some projects.

Etna is erupting, but the flight got in OK. A 2 hr wait for the regional bus and then 2 hrs again through olive and citrus groves, but it's well worth it. I'm impressed with Sicily.

They've had a dry summer, with no rain for almost 3 months. Blue Hound is fine apart from rust-dust (the dust is iron oxide based) which wipes off with a cloth.

Even the beach was tempting!

Now to planning the next sail - Scylla and Charibdis figure strongly in legend. Whirlpools and water spouts, then the contrary winds of the Aeolian Islands. Should be interesting...