08:00    I hired a car and left for the Cantania airport to pick up Carol. Roads off the major artery are very narrow and in a bad state of repair. Carol and I returned to the marina arriving at midday.

12:45 Prepared the boat for departure at to Messina. Wind forecasts had indicated 12knts E however once we cleared Risposto a few nautical mile the winds picked up to plus 25kns NE. This was uncomfortable on the nose under motor, so we decided to tack with the jib and main, sail area reduced to triple reefed. When we arrived at Messina, ferries flying everywhere, the marina did not have a berth so we pushed on further up the Messina straits and laid the anchor off Ganzirri.

19:00    Long day of constant sail handling with variable winds to plus 30 knots. The winds eased to less than 10 knots at the anchorage. A strong current saw the boat at 90 degrees to the prevailing wind. The coastal frontage of Ganzirri is old fishing villages, with hooked extensions from the shore to protect fishing boats from the prevailing southerly trending winds (complete opposite of what we faced!). Behind the shore front of Ganzirri is a small lake. We took the dinghy ashore to a small refuelling jetty around 8:30 after nibblies and drinks. A local assisted us to tie up and recommended a local taverna. Once off the old fishing frontage we hit the lake  and it was surrounded by excellent tavernas, gelatarias and other eating spots. Very surprising and not referred to in the pilot book. A pleasant surprise and well worth a return visit.

Carol boards Westralia

Tacking up to the Messina Straits

Ganzirri by the lake was a pleasant surprise. Not referenced in the pilot book