Setting Sail May 2017

Leaving Marina di Ragusa

When we returned to Sicily on May 1st, Dave Stanley came with us for the first two weeks of our 2017 sailing season.

We left the marina on May 3rd and headed east to Porto Palo on the south eastern corner of the island. We anchored in the bay here and went ashore to explore.

From there we went north up to Siracusa where we spent several days at anchor and on the quay so we had time to revisit and show Dave around this beautiful old city.

On the quay in Siracusa. Nice to be alongside for a while but later told to move stern-to to allow more boats to moor.

The remarkable Banyan trees by Arethusa's fountain in the city.

Bird of Paradise flowers in the gardens.

Views around Castello Maniace on the promontory off Ortygia (the old city of Siracusa)

Two of the four rams that were positioned on each corner of the castle. Each had small holes in it and people could tell the direction of the wind according to which ram was "whistling" 

Time for a refreshment stop after walking out and round the castle.
Homemade Greek yoghurt ice cream and granitas.

The huge table very elegantly set to seat at least 200 people in the main square outside the cathedral. By chance, the Saturday night we were there was an evening of culture. There were several long tables like this, although this was the longest, all round the city. 

Anyone could pay to eat here.

The same scene that evening.

As part of the evening there were several music groups around the streets varying from folk groups, classical orchestra, blues group and, as seen in this picture, opera from the balcony overlooking the square.

It was quite surreal as we were looking round the palace where this balcony was so had a very good view of the singers.

Walking back down one of the many small alleyways leading from the main street to the quay. 

Our taster menu lunch in the market street.

Back out to sea sailing with Wolfgang and Ursula on Pruveda (junk rig boat seen in the background). They had been opposite us in the marina and joined us in Siracusa.

Pruveda, junk rigged boat rebuilt and fitted out by Wolfgang and Ursula.

"I see no ships"