Salina Island.

We are on anchor.  Just a bit ‘below’ — Santa Marina.    

Though the weather forecast has been saying — no wind… There is always a hope that it would be some.  It usually starts  around noon, and  there is some breeze for at least a couple of hours.  The distance from Panarea and Salina — a bit less then 10 nm… and the course — a wonderful angle for prevailing winds…   All I needed — about 2 hours of  wind, even light wind in ‘prevailing / usual direction… ‘ 

But by 1430 the water around — was like a mirror.  Even the fish around the boat seemed  was dying from laughing every time I’ve looked around, in hope to notice some trace of  air movement… 

About 1500 I gave up… It is only 10 nm… about 2 hours of motoring…  So, I started the motor, raised the anchor, and we left Panarea for Salina… 

The trip was straight forward, and anchorage was quite nice.   The only ‘disadvantage’ — since we anchored on the East side of the big old and high volcano — the Sun disappears around 1700 local time…

Which is compensated — by degree  — by the beautiful view on Stromboli ( which has been indeed ‘puffing’ and providing  flushing red light all night ), Panarea and Lipari Islands…  

The village  — Santa Marina — is about few minutes dinghy ride… I have been nearly ready to put the dinghy on the water… But the wind picked up… To ~10 knots…. And was blowing up till it got really dark….  In combination with the waves from ferries — the traffic here is really busy, though I have a strong suspicion they are going mostly empty …  — it creates a bit of ‘confused’ water around… So, I decided to postpone the trip to the shore till the next time… It is always another day tomorrow… ( until there is no one anymore… )

Then the wind has gone.  Beautiful evening.  Stars… Islands around… Stromboli flashing lights…. 

With formal education in physics ,  I should know better that the sounds over the water is spreading differently then on land. But every time it surprised me… 

Somewhere on the shore — in hotel or the bar — the concert started…. 

Being on anchor on the boat, in front of the  harbour, and listening — crystal clear — the life  music concert…  with beautiful Italian voices…   Under opened, endless skies…  I guess, it is impossible to describe… With my knowledge of the languages, at least… 

It was going till the middle of the night!  And it could not be better! 

So, were are going to stay around for a while, to enjoy the weather — which is still nice and warm,  hoping for the wind.  The books and notes said there is a fantastic local wine, produced on the slopes of volcanos ( there are 2 of them on the Salina Island ),  amazing fresh fish ( they said there is only one fish shop around ), and  butcher is creating miracles…  ( again, it seems to be only one street, only one butchery …  I guess, the fact that everything is in a quantity of 1 is done for simplicity, in order the people who get used to navigate in the sea, were not be lost on land… ). 

So, more stories as I see and visit the village.

Everything is fine on board, 

Talk soon. 

Michael.