Sunny Sardinia

 Sardinia is beautiful! Joseph and I completed 195 miles to cross from Menorca to Sardinia. The trip was uneventful and enjoyable. We had very little wind and were forced to motor the whole way there. I did the last night watch and truly enjoyed every minute of it. I was all alone under the stars with no other boats or lights or land in sight. It really is an almost religious experience with the sounds of the water and the stars all lit up above.

We arrived in Sardinia just as the sun was setting. In order to save some money and enjoy the island we decided to anchor for the night. Joseph read about a great marine reserve called Porto Conte.  We pulled in and put the anchor down. I am usually in charge of the anchor although my duties have been revoked due to the fact that I did not put enough chain down and in the middle of the night the anchor alarm went off and we had drifted about 500 feet from where we originally laid the anchor. Joseph has since explained to me the importance and the ratio of chain to depth of water. When I looked at our GPS I noticed that we drifted by 2 big rocks…must have been a gift from God that we did not hit them. To my defense the wind began blowing up to 35 knots after we went to sleep.  The wind was so strong that the fishing boats did not leave port for three days. We knew the weather was serious !

We spent the following day exploring the reserve. That night we decided to stay anchored but Joseph did not sleep at all because he was suffering from PTSD from the night before. He got up 10 times to check the anchor. I slept like a baby! Wind was blowing very strong again.
  A view from the plane of where we anchored

The following afternoon we decide to head to a marina so Joseph would sleep and we could charge the batteries. We ended up staying 4 nights in a local marina due to the very, very high winds. Since it is not high season it only cost 20 euro to stay.  We had a couple lovely day trips into the city of Alghero. I really enjoyed walking and shopping in the old city. The Italians can get fired up easily. I thought the Spanish were loud but the Italians have them beat!  I like seeing all the different styles of the countries and have come realize that it does not matter if it doesn’t match. The Europeans wear what is comfortable and what they like. The food in Sardinia has been fairly good. We had a nice dinner at a local Trattoria. For dessert of course Tiramisu …so good!!!

 

 

 Joseph in the candy store

 A Moroccan man engraving text on our wooden spoon

  After enjoying Alghero we headed south to an anchorage just half way to Portoscuso. We needed to get going as we are hoping and planning on meeting some family members in Sicily! I can’t wait. The sail was easy, lots of motoring again.
We arrived in Portoscuso and then Joseph’s cousin Joy and her husband Christian joined us. We were lucky to get a break from the wind and waves in order to make it to the bottom of Sardinia to meet them. They are a very nice couple who we enjoy spending time with. Joy is a real estate agent and also does a local television show in Cologne. It is like a House Hunters only in German. Christian is a finish carpenter/cabinet maker. They spent two days sailing with us. Both are wonderful boat

guests and  both a blast to be around! They are boat sitting for Zimbabalooba while Joseph and I head to Ireland for a wedding.  
 

Joy and I enjoying dinner!

 Joseph and Christian enjoying the local beer!

  We stopped in London and saw the London Bridge and Thames River. It was very cool to see in person. I did not realize how large London is.  I am actually on the high speed leaving London and heading back to Stansted to fly on Ryanair(joke) to Ireland. Ryanair has seats that do not recline! I was shocked. Joseph says it is normal because the owner wouldn’t pay for the feature. Also no drinks or snacks for free.  I know these are very minimal problems in the world, I am just sharing.  
 Joseph and I in London

 On the high speed train they have the fanciest bathrooms I have ever seen. You have to push a button for everything and the buttons light up in sequence. I felt like I was in the Jetsons bathroom. Pictures to follow! 

  the train potty!
 Off to Ireland for 5 days. Looking forward to being with Joseph’s family and seeing where he grew up!

A special congratulation to my cousin Abby and her husband Brian on their twins, Logan and Emma!!!

Happy 30^th to Kristine Santacroce and Happy Birthday to Alison O’Laughlin and to my favorite brother Steve!!! Hope you all celebrated in style.

Hope everyone is healthy, happy, and safe back home!