Storms


Porto Santo typically experiences north/northeast winds due to the Azores High. However, in autumn and winter, the high shifts bringing southerly and westerly winds, waves and swells. Boats on both moorings and pontoons jerk and creak, creating sleepless nights. We watched many from the boatyard but in January experienced our first in-water storm.

When the Wind Blows in Porto Santo


Fishing boats at Portoferraio
Our visit to the Italian island of Elba, or Napoleon was ‘ere part II. We were pleasantly surprised by Elba and spent more time than expected there. There was plenty to see and do on land with beautiful scenery, well marked walking trails, history, musical entertainment and an interesting cable […]

The Island of Elba


Two weeks in Volos – a trip in the hills on a little train, a drive to Meteora, industrial history, tsipouro and views from Makrinitsa. We ended up staying 16 days on the breakwater wall in Volos, much longer than originally intended. Some days were taken up with rainy weather, […]

Lots of Fun in Volos



The Weather Window Quandary The Ionian Sea between Sicily and Greece is a notoriously difficult stretch of water to get a perfect weather window for crossing in one go. This is especially so as autumn arrives bringing regular storms. In the last two weeks we have sat out three storms […]

Highs and Lows of our Sail From Greece to Sicily