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 9/30/2025-Santa Marinella, Italy Up with the sun for an 0800 departure under clear skies, calm wind and quiet seas. Lifting the anchor turned out not to be difficult, I could see the boulder it had latched on to, and the anchor came up easily. We motored NW in no wind and calm seas dodging many commercial fishing boats towing their large nets. It was an uneventful trip until we rounded Port Ecole and came upon a pirate ship. As we passed them they opened fire and made a shot across our bow. We powered past them and thankfully saved our ship. We tucked into Cale Grande to hide out with one other boat at anchor. The typical commercial fishing boat dragging his net The pirate ship that shot at us! The weather has cooled to a very comfortable 75 degrees so the need to jump in the water has diminished. We set about some chores before relaxing for the night in the calm waters. 10/1/2025-Cale Grande, Italy Up with the sun, we timed our departure to make the most of the predicted wi...
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 9/20/2025-Pallaro, Italy Emerging from the cabin I could see a swarm of small fishing boats all around us and more being launched from the beach. It was Saturday after all and they were headed south to their favorite fishing hole. A passing fisherman waved, we must be back in Italy where the people are so friendly. We were in no hurry to move as we wanted to time our arrival in the Messina Straight with the north bound current at about 1130. Suzette did a load of laundry and I did some writing and posted my blog. We got underway about 1000 and motor sailed north. The wind was light but favorable and the current was helping as well. We hit the straight at 1130 dodging ferries and small boats. The straight was calm and we passed quickly through heading NNE to Porto Di Tropea, the first fuel stop in Tyrulean sea. Dodging ferries North end of the straight, boiling water from the current Northern tip of Sicily  Burning some fuel Arriving at Tropea about 1530 we were third in...
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