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Passage to Mallorca, Spain
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We cast off from La Maddalena, Spain, in the late afternoon, motoring out through the islands towards the open water. Setting a conservative amount of sail, we spent the next two days getting the crap beaten out of us.
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Storm Front, Italy
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We left our beautiful anchorage at Porto Taverna on Spain’s Sardinian north-east coast to make the short hop to La Maddelena Island. There was a storm front approaching, and the Skipper was keen to see us moored in a sheltered harbour to sit it out.
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Sardinian heavy weather, Italy
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I was aware of the boat rocking from a steepening swell, and the wind starting to whistle outside. However it was quite a shock when a broken wave, a broken wave, slammed into the side of the boat, sending various items crashing to the floor.
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El Djem Archaeological Museum, Tunisia
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The white-walled galleries of the El Djem Archaeological Museum hold an enormous collection of spectacular mosaics from the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
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El Djem Colosseum, Tunisia
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A short walk through the dusty chaos of El Djem, Tunisia, and I was standing outside the 1800 year old Roman Colosseum.
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Driving in Tunisia
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While preparing to drive from Bizerte to El Djem, my friends told me that out on the roads in Tunisia, you must not, under any circumstances, show any fear. It didn’t help my confidence.
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Arriving in Bizerte, Tunisia
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The last miles into Bizerte, Tunisia, seemed to take forever. Chugging into the wind on the engines, and against a current, was a patience exercise that I didn’t have the patience for.
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Il Duce
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After arriving in Sicily, I was a little surprised to see commemorative calendars featuring Benito Mussolini on sale.
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Stromboli and Etna, Italy
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Around midnight the island of Stromboli loomed out of the darkness. We sailed our way around to the north side of the island, where we got our first smell, sight and sound of the volcano.
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Night Demons
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When I’m sitting in the dark, alone at the helm, I often receive unwanted visitors. They come when I’m at my weakest. When I’m tired and cold and wishing I could sleep.