Cruising in the Madalenas and Bonifacio

Ino and Annette from Swedish yacht "Vicki" dropped by for coffee on "Kinabalu" the morning after I returned to the boat.  They said "Why leave today in this wind?"  The marina office said "Why don't you stay another night, it's too windy today", but we decided that we should press on to be able to meet Bob who was joining us after Margaret's funeral.

It was great sailing out of Golfe di Olbia under jib with the westerly wind gusting up to 25 knots but once we'd turned the corner at Capo Figari, which Bob thought would be sheltered, the wind and sea were northerly and "right on the nose".  We furled the jib and pressed on taking the wind and waves side on....it took us 5 hours to do 18nm, anchoring in Cala di Volpi in 20 knots of wind.  Third time lucky and our guests and I had a well deserved "arrival drink".

Next morning of course the anchorage was like a mill pond!

Louisa, Bob's cousin's daughter, proved to be very capable and together with her friend Chris, we had a wonderful sail to Palau the next day in 7-15 knots NW.    But I lost my Tilley hat (not tied on properly)....ran forward to clear a snag with the jib sheet and the seas carried it away, despite a gybe and searching through the binoculars...no sign.  Hopefully someone will find it and wear it proudly.

Cruising in the Madalena Islands is a dream, lots of open water, fresh breezes and turquoise clear water for swimming or just peacefully gazing. 

Sailed north to Bonifacio and French Corsica....found out after the event that we could go alonside the quay if there's room and anchor outside the harbour over night.  But we were happy to go stern to and give Kinabalu a good wash, have power for the night and find a quiet little restaurant up one of the steep pathways to soak up the ambience.  Louisa and Chris went shopping for croissants and baguette (cos we were in France!) and lots of other goodies.