Golfe de Pinarellu again... Goodbye, Elba!
SV Eleonora
Michael A. Andronov
Tue 20 Sep 2022 15:36
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41:41.686N 009:31.158E UTC 0545 To the
starboard side – to the left, in short – less then 5nm Golfe De Pinarellu.
The bay, from which a bit less then a month ago the journey to Elba has started.
Yes, we have left Elba, from the Portoferraio, went over the
northern part of Elba, and turned to the South... About
80nm behind... and we are back where we started that part of the journey –
Pinarellu. From those islands I’ve seen – Sardinia, Corsica and Elba – I would
like Elba most of all... ( Of course, it is very biased and personal
opinion. ). Yes, there is no beautiful buildings as on Smeralda coast ( Sardinia )... Yes, the Banifacio ( Corsica ) is much more impressive – even today.... But... Somehow, the Elba managed to be kept more ‘natural’ and untouched by modern civilization. First, it is the smallest island from all of them. No matter
how you measure it – the sq. meters, amount of towns, amount of
people, the density of population, the amount of roads...
There is still a great amount of tourists on the island... But I
bet the majority are Italians, who are coming to the nearest ‘stand alone’
island to spend vacation. I have never seen so many camping sites, being
well equipped and settled for motor homes... The amount of motor homes – all
kind and models – probably explains the amount of ferry traffic. In
Portoferraio the ferries are coming and leaving none-stop from all possible
directions. Starting at 0630 in the morning, and the last arriving late at
night, to spend the night on the island, and be the first to leave in the
morning... I’ve stepped into a few harbors on Elba. No matter what are you visiting – a gas station, pharmacy, grocery store, museum, or marina – the first thing you notice how friendly the people are. No, it does not mean that the people on the other island – are not friendly... But on Elba – you feel being very welcomed... You ask to leave the dinghy in the port ? No problem! You get a bit lost ? They make sure that you are on the right track to you destination ( besides giving explicit directions )... Etc, etc, etc... I wrote already – on stormy day, a few authorities vessels were patrolling the anchorage, helping people in need... So, Michael... If it is so nice... why are you leaving ? Good question. Actually, I’ve went to the port office and ask the for the prices to stay for the winter... And I’ve been surprised that the prices -- for winter months – are very reasonable. ( The ‘sailors’ winter there – at least in 2022 – is shorter. It starts On November 1st, and finished in March )... But very reasonable, and well structured – with water and electricity on dock being included... Yes, there is a cavity – As I was asking for the place at the end of the September, the marina was booked fully till January, and there is a waiting list ... But that is not the major reason. Probably, the major reason – is practicality. I need some repairs to do – and I’m not sure it is possible to do in that marina. It is NOT a boatyard, no obvious repair shops – though I would expect there are some around... Keep going a bit further North... to
French or Italian Riviera's – happened to be a bit too late in the season ( as I
see it ). The weather started to change, with more ‘non-friendly’ days
coming in Ligurian sea and the Marselle areas...
Putting all together.... I picked up the weather window, I hope the right one, and left towards Mallorca. I hope to catch a few friends there! Before everything would go to sleep for winter... As I’m typing this message, we are 13nm from the Banifacio passage
between Corsica and Sardinia. We will probably entry it in about 2
hours... And with permission of the weather – I hope to have a favorable
following winds – to cross to the Western part of Sardinia! And then the
‘open 9 yards’ to Minorca...
So far that the plan. The first part of that plan – was pretty good. The trip over the northern coast of Elba – was not fast, but very pleasant and refreshing... As we turned to South... the wind died... Completely... Flat surface as a lake... But that has been compensated by multiple visits of the dolphins! They were really trying to entertain my motoring progress – by not only swimming with / around the boat, but making jumps, and constantly swimming on a side, looking on me, and – I’m ready to bet, seriously – trying to establish the eye contact! Early night – the wind picked up.. First very light... But then we were
doing not bad at all... I think we are on a track to make a 100-120 nm in 24
hours... ( For such a slow start... and light winds... I consider it not bad...
And... I’m not in a rush anyway... )
So, early coffee with a light breakfast – and keep sailing! Talk to you soon, Michael. |