July 5
Hi from Tapestry
Today is the day after. We are in Porto Pozzo, a long narrow bay in the north
of Sardinia, between Sardinia and Corsica. As I write it is blowing force 6,
22
- 27 knots of wind. Lots of wind. We are anchored off some ugly rocks about
60
yards from our transom. We keep watch and our fingers crossed (which makes
typing difficult!)
On Sunday we motored and sailed from Alghero to here. The wind was
unfavorable most of the way but we were able to sail for at least a third of
it.
This area between Corsica and Sardinia is considered prime cruising grounds.
It is no wonder. The rock formations and bays make it great for cruisers. When
we arrived on Sunday we were four, Tapestry, Triumph, Vivache, and Sugilite.
Late Sunday afternoon Twist of Fate and Alcid showed up. On Monday we were
joined by Joy, a Nauticat, 42, and Iolanthe who was completing a
circumnavigation. We were all American boats and all ready to celebrate the
Fourth. There was an English couple anchored here as well and, after all, how
could we have won independence without the British? So, we invited them too.
We all dressed our boats with code flags, or whatever we had, and the air was
festive. That's when the wind began to pick up. We gathered at six with drinks
and dishes to pass and all tied our dinghys to Vivache. Ron and Kathleen's 65
foot Macgregor was plenty large enough to host such a party and not even be
crowded. But as soon as we all had arrived, the weight of 18 people and 9
dinghys caused her anchor to drag. No problem, it was quickly reset and there
was hardly a lull in the conversation. We had a delightful time recounting our
various adventures in the Med. The food was delicious, lots of watermellon and
potato salad with wonderful desserts. No fireworks, but otherwise pretty
standard Fourth of July fare. Nice time.
Over night the wind calmed down, but late this morning it came up in earnest.
Today has been difficult for most everyone. Several boats left to seek better
shelter and a number of us had to reanchor again and again. However, we had
wonderful entertainment. The sail school here is serious. In spite of the 25
plus knot winds, there was no "chalk talk" for these kids, they were
out sailing. Their instructors were intrepid, cheering them on and picking them
up when they flipped. There was a young lady in an inflatable, responsible for
several boats, and she was truly amazing. There was a fifteen foot boat with
four 12 or 13 year old boys aboard. They had tipped over several times and
no one was doing much of anything but holding on. At one point they headed right
for Triumph, which was anchored right in front of us. This young lady saw what
was happening got her rubber boat between the kids and Triumph just in time
to
prevent a crash. She pushed the kids away and again they flipped. She tried
her best to get them to right the boat and sail on, but, in desperation they
headed downwind right for us. Someone tossed out an anchor, but it was too
late. The boat was trapped on our anchor chain and leaning against the bow
pulpit. I went forward and pushed them off, but the anchor caught on our chain
and slid up, right to the deck. Fortunately, I was able to free it. The boat
capsized again and headed for the rocks. The young lady did all she could with
kids in the water and an overturned boat to make things right. Finally she got
one boy in the dinghy with her, one in the boat, got the other two to right
the
boat and swim to shore. Then she towed the boat back to the club.
Finally, she came back and picked up the abandoned sailors and anchor, and
stopped by Tapestry to apologize in her best English. What a neat young lady.
But that wasn't the end. Wind surfers rocketed by in the gusty winds and fleet
after fleet of kids and adults in small day sailors came out to try their hand
at
dealing with heavy air. They tipped over, shredded sails and generally got beat
up, but they all wore pfd's and were fine. It was really a great example of
the enthusiasm that exists here in Italy for sailing. They truly love the
sport.
It is just past 9 p.m. now, time for the net,which we will hold on V.H.F.
tonight, rather than h.f. The wind has calmed down to 10 to fifteen, but just
when we think we can heave a sigh of relief, it pipes back up into the 20's.
Tomorrow we head for Golfo di Arzachena. More later.
Hank and Julie