11/12 September 2023 - Otranto

This Sunday was a day of rest to allow us to recover from a long first day out on the water, yesterday. That is, other than laundry. My domestic science teacher at school would have extolled the virtues of this wonderful drying day, with a good breeze of warm air. These days we set up a washing line from the forestay to the mast, to minimise use of the drier. Marina di Brindisi has its our laundry area, so it was just a short walk down the pontoon and across the car park, meaning no need to sit and wait for it. 

In the evening we called the marineros to ask them to come to collect the key card. Three of them arrived, one under instruction. The boss man told us what a beautiful boat we have, which always goes down well with us. He then said several times that we should race it. It’s always the racing sailors who see the racing potential to be had.


On Monday we slipped out of Brindisi harbour just after a big cargo ship had arrived, pushed into place by two tugs. There was little wind and flat calm, so we motored about half way, before some breeze came in and there was beautiful conditions to sail. What could be better; flat water, trucking along nicely, under an azure blue sky. As we got closer to Otrano, lots of small day boats were out, most fishing, some tourist boats exploring the coastline.

A guy fishing, with just a blue umbrella for protection, only in Italy!

Sunset in Brindisi

There were only four other boats at anchor in Otranto harbour, so loads of room. We happened to anchor close to the Kiwi couple we had met in Bari. They are also on there way to the Ionian Islands. 

There’s high pressure, so little wind forecast for a few days, so we’ve timed it beautiful to spend time exploring Otranto.

Miles today           43

Miles in 2023      851

Steve (and Tricia) 

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