Two longish days of motoring occasionally with the sails up. On Tuesday we pulled in at Roccella Ionica marina, a large and characterless place about 2 miles from the town and its castle, and then on Wednesday across the bay to the town of Le Castella, yes, another castle here, about 45 miles distance. During this crossing, we started motor sailing only to be hit by a very sudden squall turning us right around and almost knocking us down. Once we’d recovered the sails, we then motored the remaining 20 miles against a very heavy swell, none of which was forecast. Lesson learned, watch out for squalls!
Then on to Le Castella, and again a rather soleless marina built in an old quarry, although the adjacent town was surprisingly busy with tourists, shops and restaurants, and, yes, the obligatory castle.
