 |
| Rough weather on Stromboli |
Woke early by the alarm, got dressed for a 6:15am breakfast and an early hydrofoil. Had been told the weather was due to pack up and we would be best to head out on the earliest ferry. However a knock on the door not long after 6am by our host saying the hydrofoil is off because of the scirocco wind. The wind was in fact pretty mild, and we’ve seen bigger waves on the Modellers’ Pond at Tahunanui, but they seem to give up easy here. We did find out yesterday that our initial sailing to here had been stopped again due to the scirocco, but mainly because they had total whiteout caused by it – only happens 2-3 times a year. So back to bed for an hour’s catch-up on sleep and breakfast at 8, then down to the port to find the morning sailings had been totally cancelled. A late sailing even had it happened (it didn’t) would have left us too late in Milazzo so thus another night on Stromboli.
 |
| Fishing boats on Stromboli beach |
Strange weather after lunch – the sky had turned orange and purple, with the horizon bright, and the sea dark. Later on 6mm hail for a few minutes, lightning and thunder. Rain stopped so down to the port to check out the sea. It looked a bit fierce so quite pleased not to be sailing. We only hope we can get out tomorrow. Nothing for it but to buy yet more bread and cheese and beer and park up in our room. It was actually a very nice lazy day. J has read all the books we have so has now had to start on the books downloaded on our tablet – is now reading
Dracula!
Rain has stopped and horizon has brightened. Enjoyed an espresso in a café until the first smoker lit up. They don’t seem to worry about smoking inside cafes here – probably because just about everyone seems to smoke. Have a TV in our room but the only thing on it seems to be about a ceremony to “beatify” the Pope. Can’t quite understand it all. Fluked seeing a little of the royal wedding on TV yesterday. A quiet meal of bread and bits, with a can of chilli beans thrown in for variation.
Observation: the Strombolani men are a very rugged looking bunch. Obviously weather-beaten. They tend to be average height, very broad backs, dark weather tanned faces and arms, wide cheeks and very large and hooked noses. Quite distinctive.
