andyc
Well-Known Member
I know exactly where you are coming from .They will rip you of at every oportunity.I have learnt to be completely self sufficient ,patient and never let them get me down and enjoy the boating.
We service the boat ourselves, clean it ourselves, borrow fresh water from any tap that is present ,nip into the private bit for a shower ,We now do our own mooring in the harbour and have learnt the "score".There is no "seastart" or RNLI there to get you home if something happens;we have had to sort this out ourselves by being prepared.
Wife is Sicilian,we speak Sicilian and it can still be tough at sometimes.We have sussed out where to buy food, where to eat locally, even what to wear to look local , to keep our mouths shut at times and when to be unable to speak a word of Italian, how to barter,how to make the right friends....its now part of the challenge. Where we used to get stressed and it would cost us dearly, it is now easy as we know what the situation is and enjoy every moment.
I believe the southern part of Sicily is tougher.
Up side is Warm water,no ropes to worry about getting round props, no semi submerged containers etc ,no tides, overfalls,races etc,you can see the bottom,we have most anchorages to ourselves as everyone is in spain, No Fog and mist,less rules and bureaucracy.
Our boat there is under 30ft so easier, but we are planning on taking our 43 there in the not too distant future as we are sick of the English weather.