Escape from Mahon

Up before the sun and the anchor lifted at 0615. It was a beautiful still morning. Two other yachts who had also been waiting for the right weather left as we did. Once clear of the headland there was still a considerable swell coming down from the north. Remnants of storms in the Gulf of Lions, but a lot better than the rolling white tops of the previous few days. We adopted a three hour watch system, Susan and I together thenTom and Jazz together. Jazz had never been on a yacht before so this would be quite a test for her., but Tom would keep her right. For some reason both Susan and I both felt a little anxious but when we talked it over we could not decide why. Maybe it was leaving the familiarity of Spain for the unknown of Sardinia/Sicily and Italy.........who knows. That night it was the most amazing starry night, you almost felt like you could reach out and touch them, they were so big. The swell was still with us so it was not the most comfortable night as we rolled along. However during the night watch there was a sobering call on the VHF. A mayday relay ( a shore station passing on details of a mayday from a vessel ) that a french yacht had lost a man overboard and to keep a sharp lookout.. The message carried on periodically into the morning. They had not found him. It certainly makes you reflect a little. We always wear lifejackets and lifelines on deck at night and this is the reason. It only takes a stumble and you can be over the side. At night you have very little chance of being recovered as has happened with this poor guy.
By morning the swell had all but gone and it was glorious sunshine. During the night two squid had landed on deck and left their inky marks which is a bugger to get off. We could now see the island west of Sardinia in the far distance. That afternoon we were treated to the most amazing dolphin performance ever.One dolphin, obviously attracted by our blaring music, came and swam under our bows, spinning, spouting up at us, grinning at us, waiting for us to catch up them like a gane of chasey.....amazing. Jazz had never seen a dolphin in the wild before and this was some introduction. We arrived at Marina de Capitana near Cagliari in the darkness of the late evening. It was difficlut to spot the navigation lights to lead us in as there was a disco on the shore with flashing green and red lights.....very helpful. We slowly edged in and once inside found a berth. It was very lively and Tom, Susan and I headed for the bar but Jazz was so knackered that she just went to bed. Next morning we had no time for sight seeing. A quick visit to the supermarket, top up the fuel tanks and away. Once out the wind was favourable. Full sails were out and and we were cracking alomh at 7 knots ( with a bit of Yanmar to help out ).On we sailed into the night. During our night shift Tom got up and was sleepwalking...yikes! Susan closed the wheelhouse door and he just flopped back into bed thank goodness. Next morning, surprise surprise it was a lovely sunny calm morning. We had a hearty brecky of sausages and eggy bread. The small islands west of Sicily were now in view but it took an age to close on them. I prepared a crib sheet in italian for when I call in to request a berth. We had a pleasant motor sail along the north of Sicily but the wind was dropping as was our speed. I called in to a marina in Palermo but they were full. " Try club mediterraneo" . I did. He spoke no English so I put my crib sheet to the test. "Ci" and the phone went down. "Well, I think we're in there". Again it was dark as we entered port. Palermo is a busy commercial port and you must lookout for fast ferries and other big stuff. We found club med., slid into our berth and tied her off. We'd made it with 24 hours to spare. Mahon to Sicily via Sardinia, 500 nautical miles. Jazz had done ever so well. She had not suffered the dreaded 'mal de mar' and had even gone into the galley to help prepare meals whilst at sea. No mean feat. We quickly spruced up and headed out, avoiding the streetwalker strutting on the corner ( real classy ) and found a restaurant where we raised our glasses to a good trip and friendship.