Palermo to Lipari

Palermo didn’t get any better. Enough said!  Apparently, there are some big families here that control most of the stuff (as well as murdering a few judges and things like that).  Well, if that’s true it’s a pity they don’t get some of the kids out picking up all the rubbish.  The place is a tip!

We’d decide to leave early (06.00) but, as I woke up at 04.30, I decided to prepare the boat myself and see if I could start the engines and leave without waking Sleeping Beauty up. 

There’s a lot to do before you leave a port.  Start the nav computer, sort out the route, disconnect the shore power cables, remove the spring lines, attach a slip line, remove the main aft lines, put the kettle on, make a coffee ….etc.

Anyway, I did it and was just leaving the marina before Mr. V appeared.  It was 5.45 am!

Leaving Porto Mafia

We were off to Lipari (pronounce Leepery- like slippery) which is the largest of the volcanic islands about 35 miles north of Messina (check it out on Google Earth).  Only a short journey today – just nine hours!

Saw more of these! Don't think they're whales now.  'Reckon they're Tuna!

These islands are stunning.  They rise straight out of the sea and are far more dramatic than the photos can show.

Lipari is beautiful.  Set against the lush, green mountain side, the town has been here since 3000BC.  They’ve kept it nice though!  The people are so friendly and the taxi driver proudly told us that there was no crime here.  A true paradise!

Went for a little trip round Vulcano, the neighbouring island today (Mon) and here are some more piccies to prove it!

We were 30 feet away from this and it was 240ft deep!

You can click on all these photos to see them full size.

We’re going to try to get to bed early tonight and then get up at 01.30 and head north-east for 25 miles to Stromboli, while it’s still dark.  This volcano is still active and usually ‘erupts’ every 20 minutes or so, shooting lava and sparks into the air.  Apparently, it can be seen for miles.  Google it! We’ll go round the island before heading south to Messina, arriving around 09.00. If we’re not too tired we may carry on to Syracuse (south-east corner of Sicily) which is supposed to be a lovely town.  This is where we’ll stay for a few days before making the big crossing to Kefalonia.

Jayne and Ros are joining us there on Tuesday 21^st so let’s hope we have some nice weather for the crossing.  ‘Cos it’s a long way!