Yesterday was to be a quiet day sailing from Brindisi to Otranto. Otranto is the furthest South Port of Entry and the best stepping off point for Greece.
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I can recommend the harbour wall in Brindisi for berthing. There has been a bit of wash from passing vessels on the wall but it is free, you have ready access to the city and restaurants and the ambiance. For a short visit it is fine. The Lega Navale berths are on the opposite side of the harbour meaning a long walk round to the town itself.
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Leaving our berth on the harbour wall was a bit tricky as a superyacht had blocked our forwards exit but safe departure was achieved.
We then went to the town fuel berth. They had stacked up several boats queueing for fuel. We berthed up to find out there was no fuel, "perhaps an hour" - shrug.
We waited half an hour but there was no sign of the fuel truck so we departed to the Marina di Brindisi. They had plenty of fuel and were efficient and helpful, The marina did not look busy and seemed modern and well run. This might be a winter berthing option.
There was a haze over water and land that stayed put all day. We motored South trying to maintain 5 miles off shore at the firing range that extends South of Brindisi. Nobody else seemed to be bothering however.
A light NW breeze was there but not enough to sail properly. Time to get up the cruising chute! The monster was wrestled from the stern cabin where it lurked in its lair. I think we tried to do this once before last year with mixed success but the conditions were ideal and we have been at sea for 3 weeks now. Surely we can manage this.
It all got set up and ready to launch. This chute has a snuffler system, supposed to make it easier to launch and retrieve. This basically a bucket without a bottom attached to a huge sleeve that is pulled up and down on a continuous loop. It is pulled up to the mast head to launch, and pulled down to encompass and tame the beast. What could possibly go wrong.
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| About to launch |
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Spaghetti hoops
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Well pretty much everything. The snuffler was pulled up to reveal a sail twisted on itself but also with the snuffler line wrapped around it several times. Obviously the snuffler could then not be pulled down again. So the whole wrapped up mess was lowered to the deck, and fortunately not into the sea.
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| Very pretty |
I then spent the next hour sitting on the foredeck untying all the lines and re-orientating the whole shebang. An advanced Mensa puzzle that almost defeated me and the whole lot nearly went over the side, but I finally got it sorted and hey presto, a nicely flying cruising chute.
By this time we had messed about so long we were in danger of not reaching our destination in daylight so we diverted to a small fishing village called San Foca. This little port has recently extended its sea defences and developed a very pleasant ,Marina with professional and helpful staff.
We ate aboard and explored ashore. There is a 16th Century defensive Saracen tower, typical of many along this coast, one open bar, acres of regimented sunbeds on the beach, looking a bit like the CGI clone army in Star Wars. And not a lot else.
The bar Verona was lively, with good music and a friendly atmosphere and a huge selection of beers. A word for the unwary however, the beers are all 7 and 8%.
Thanks to everyone who has read our ramblings, we have now had 1000 views including people in Norway, Ireland, Russia, USA and Montenegro.
We ate aboard and explored ashore. There is a 16th Century defensive Saracen tower, typical of many along this coast, one open bar, acres of regimented sunbeds on the beach, looking a bit like the CGI clone army in Star Wars. And not a lot else.
The bar Verona was lively, with good music and a friendly atmosphere and a huge selection of beers. A word for the unwary however, the beers are all 7 and 8%.
Good going on the views. You both write very well.
ReplyDeleteOnly tip I'd proffer is to keep the tension high- best bits are when you lose your anchor or nearly get jailed for inadequate paperwork.
Surely there must be some pirates around the Adriatic? If not you could make them up!!!
You don't realise that the anxiety levels are down played not to scare the horses. There have been some survival moments.
ReplyDeleteNo lack of tension here.
Survival moments doesn’t sound good!! But then what’s life without a bit of adrenaline. I think motor bikes have got to be scarier than yachts.
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed my Adriatic journey. Very inyeresting' and appreciate your attempts to "not scare the horses" This one has found it scary enough!
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