Sun, Wind and Thunderstorms in Sardinia – Part Two

Wednesday, 19^th September – Saturday, 22^nd September 2018

We were stuck in the Marina of Santa Maria Navarrese! OK, the village was very nice, with enough lovely restaurants and (grocery) shops.

To visit this marina was planned indeed, but not staying for 3 nights! The weather was pretty rainy and windy and the marina filled up steadily with more boats, searching for shelter. The guy in the marina office told us, how unusual this kind of weather is in September….Climate change was greeting, also in Sardinia! Well, nothing we could do about it, than wait and try to keep our beds dry….

Saturday, 22^nd September 2018

Finally, the weather cleared up and the sun was showing itself, even the temperatures were rising! Let’s go then!!

We left mid morning and headed for an early anchoring in Punta Nera di Osalla. Swimming and splashing and being in the sun was our so longed for plan!! And Boy, did we enjoy the sunny and warm weather – it was just great!

Unfortunately, it didn’t stay like this…. According to the forecast the weather was about to change again, with heavy winds and gusts (and some rain in a couple of days).

Sunday, 23^rd September 2018 – Thursday, 27^th September 2018

Before the bad weather arrived we were lucky enough to enjoy a leisure time west of Capo Comino, anchoring for a couple of hours.

So, once again, we were looking for shelter and decided to head for Porto Ottiolu. Patrik and I visisted this lovely marina village already last year and had best memories of it!

After having a last swim, coffee, breakfast and all other necessarities, we lifted the anchor and left the beautiful bay. The waves were already uncomfortably high, but at least the sun was shining! Early in the evening we arrived in Porto Ottiolu and got a perfect mooring spot with good shelter.

The marina office was closed, since it was Sunday, so we had to register on Monday morning. This gave us so me time, to decide how long we would stay. At least two days, according to the weather forecast. No rain, but storms and gusts were predicted and we had no choice, than to stay!

We didn’t sleep so well, though. This due to the numerous and noisy ropes, which held our BLUE MOON in place. The waves were really high outside the marina and the wind was our steady companion…. Still, we had the sun!

Well, M&M’s decided to go for a swim after our arrival – the beach was just a few meters away. We also had a good look around the village, studied menues, strolling around and enjoyed a glass or two of prosecco in a comfy bar! We also visited souvenir shops and I could finally mail the post cards, which I’d bought in Santa Maria Navarrese. So, all in al it wasn’t that bad, being stuck in this marina.

It still IS a lovely place…..although, that didn’t apply to the marinas toilet and shower block. Actually, one has only access, when entering a pin code, which one receives when registering at the marina – ACTUALLY! But we soon detected that all kind of people had access to these facilities.

Patrik and I also were very disappointed that it still looked the same (or worse?) than last year. It could almost be confused with a messy building site! A shame, really!

At least we always ate really good – on board, or in restaurants – and also visited our favourite shop, “La Cambusa”, a small, but superb delicacy shop. The owners are very sweet and welcoming and one day we decided to try their lunch tasting, with all the Sardinian specialities. Of course a local wine accompanied our feast!

On the way back to our cat I went to the marinas toilet – which turned out to be my personal disaster!

Back on the boat I suddenly realized, my handbag wasn’t there! The hair on my neck stood on end and I run back to the toilet, hoping it was still hanging there…..No, it wasn’t of course! Although, only about 30 minutes had gone, someone had to be pleased as Punch today, by finding my bag….Gosh, I couldn’t believe my stupidity and felt like I was in the wrong movie! It wasn’t only my Harley Davidson bag, but also the house keyes, my reading glasses (worth about CHF 300.-) and most of all my purse, with my bank cards, ID card, driving licence and last but not least about EUR 200.- in cash! OMG!! That just couldn’t be true!!! Of course, first of all I called my bank in order to block my cards.

I even rushed back to “La Cambusa” that – maybe – I left my handbag there….(I suddenly wasn’t sure anymore). But after they showed my their CCTC film, where it showed clearly me taking the bag, I was devastated…..How could I be so thoughtless, how and why did this happen to me!?

The I went to the marina office and told them about my bad luck. Maybe they – or someone – would find my bag and purse, with my personal cards and belongings (the cash and bank cards would have been gone, that was clear). The staff there were very understanding and helpful and promised to try everything they could to help. They even started a post in the marinas Facebook…

At least I still had my passport and my mobile….cold comfort, though.

Yeah, well…on Wednesday evening (26^th September), the weather promised to change and calm down. So the next day we would leave Porto Ottiolu and head for a last anchor spot, preferably Cala di Volpe, which Patrik and I visited last year and were delighted about its beauty!

My handbag and its contents were definitely gone….Damn!

Thursday, 27^th September 2018

Already during the night we noticed less waves and less noises from the ropes. It was time to leave Porto Ottiolu.

The sun was greeting us and in a good mood we left and headed for Cala di Volpe, hoping we would find a nice spot, do some swimming and enjoying the last “wild” day, was on our schedule! Ah and Patrik might get his last chance to fly “Farfalla”, his drone! So far it wasn’t much in the air, due to too strong winds!

After about three hours we arrived at the bay and even found the perfect spot for us, when suddenly the port side engine began playing his mean tricks again! Unbelievable, all these days it worked well and now it was on strike again! Hell, what crime have we commited??

All swearing didn’t help, without the port side engine, we couldn’t move the anchor! So off we went again, frustrated and decided to sail directly to Cannigione, back to the base of BLUE MOON. We didn’t want to take the risk getting stuck there and not being able to lift the anchor. Of course, Enzo would have to solve the problem, but thinking of all the inconvenience, we abandonded the thought…

We experienced one last highlight: A pod of dolphins, who calmly passed by! Beautiful J

Being a bit further out, Patrik decided, he wants to try fixing the engine. He did it before, so why not again?!

The thought of having to spend the last two nights in Cannigione was not so tempting, at least one last night at anchor would be nice…..On Friday afternoon we HAD to be back, and on Saturday morning we had to leave.

And our handyman Patrik did the impossible, the engine worked again and immediately I looked up a suitable anchor spot near Cannigione. Our “bible” the “Italian Waters Pilot” by Rod and Lucinda Heikell, became handy as so many countless times before!

We soon settled on a spot called Ziu Paulu, really just a stone’s throw from BLUE MOONs marina.

After arriving there, the wind was still a theme, but we were glad being there and not in the crowded marina. We enjoyed our last evening with a tasty meal, a lovely bottle of wine and were more or less glad, that these unlucky unusual holidays where almost over…. Good night everyone!