thefatlady
Well-Known Member
The sea was flatter than a flat thing.
The sun blazed mercilessly from a clear blue sky.
The wind was as fierce as an ant’s breath.
And all the while our two intrepid mariners pressed on, oblivious to the dangers and braving the elements without a thought for their own safety.
For seven days and seven nights and 750 miles this fearsome weather continued without abating.
From Port Napoleon to Marzamemi (Southern Sicily) they spanned the oceans, boldly going ………
This is the story in pictures of their epic voyage.
Tom’s Sunseeker Mustique 42 had been languishing unloved in Ostend for 18 months and he wanted to get it to his new home in Sicily. He trucked it to Port Napoleon and was preparing to launch when I arrived, one day late because of the French ATC strike.
We left immediately the boat was in the water and headed East.
Le Lavandou – first stop for two nights to sort out problems.
Tom having fun. One engine had alternator problems which resulted in the water pump belt coming off, the other had a damaged water pump impeller.
Rough water en route to Corsica. Saw lots of dolphins.
Calvi
Calvi port. The big boat is Lionwind.
Cap Corse is known for its rough seas. Here they are.
Obligatory wake shot
Approaching Elba
Portoferraio
We stopped for a dip at Porto Ercole while waiting for the fuel berth to open.
Isola Ponza – a stop for a swim in clear blue waters
More Isola Ponza
Capri, where a night for the Mustique cost 250 euros. I shudder to think what Four Aces (also there) paid.
A stop in Lipari to refuel
Vulcano. The whole island is less than 2000 years old. Hot springs bubble up in the sea and you can select the temperature of the water by the proximity to a spring. A stinking mud bath can be had behind the beach if you can stand the stench which stays on you for weeks. When I was there a few years back, the antifoul turned yellow with the sulphur.
Swordfish boat at the Straight of Messina. A lookout goes up to the crow’s nest to tell a guy on the bowsprit when to run forward to harpoon the fish.
Isola Bella at Taormina, after which Tom’s boat is named. Isola Bella meets Isola Bella.
Breakfast at Naxos, near Taormina, with Etna smoking gently in the background.
Syracusa for refuelling.
Our destination, Marzamemi.
750 miles in 7 days, including one day in port. Unbelievably good weather. After the initial teething troubles, the Cats didn’t miss a beat.
Shame I can only post 20 images.
Lots of old memories revisited and a few new ones.
The sun blazed mercilessly from a clear blue sky.
The wind was as fierce as an ant’s breath.
And all the while our two intrepid mariners pressed on, oblivious to the dangers and braving the elements without a thought for their own safety.
For seven days and seven nights and 750 miles this fearsome weather continued without abating.
From Port Napoleon to Marzamemi (Southern Sicily) they spanned the oceans, boldly going ………
This is the story in pictures of their epic voyage.
Tom’s Sunseeker Mustique 42 had been languishing unloved in Ostend for 18 months and he wanted to get it to his new home in Sicily. He trucked it to Port Napoleon and was preparing to launch when I arrived, one day late because of the French ATC strike.
We left immediately the boat was in the water and headed East.
Le Lavandou – first stop for two nights to sort out problems.
Tom having fun. One engine had alternator problems which resulted in the water pump belt coming off, the other had a damaged water pump impeller.
Rough water en route to Corsica. Saw lots of dolphins.
Calvi
Calvi port. The big boat is Lionwind.
Cap Corse is known for its rough seas. Here they are.
Obligatory wake shot
Approaching Elba
Portoferraio
We stopped for a dip at Porto Ercole while waiting for the fuel berth to open.
Isola Ponza – a stop for a swim in clear blue waters
More Isola Ponza
Capri, where a night for the Mustique cost 250 euros. I shudder to think what Four Aces (also there) paid.
A stop in Lipari to refuel
Vulcano. The whole island is less than 2000 years old. Hot springs bubble up in the sea and you can select the temperature of the water by the proximity to a spring. A stinking mud bath can be had behind the beach if you can stand the stench which stays on you for weeks. When I was there a few years back, the antifoul turned yellow with the sulphur.
Swordfish boat at the Straight of Messina. A lookout goes up to the crow’s nest to tell a guy on the bowsprit when to run forward to harpoon the fish.
Isola Bella at Taormina, after which Tom’s boat is named. Isola Bella meets Isola Bella.
Breakfast at Naxos, near Taormina, with Etna smoking gently in the background.
Syracusa for refuelling.
Our destination, Marzamemi.
750 miles in 7 days, including one day in port. Unbelievably good weather. After the initial teething troubles, the Cats didn’t miss a beat.
Shame I can only post 20 images.
Lots of old memories revisited and a few new ones.
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