Island hopping to the Bay of Naples Sunday, 26th June

Did it in one longish haul, at least to the head of the bay to the volcanic Flegree islands, peering in at Ventotene island (one of the Pontines) en-route, but did not stop.

Ischia first, then Procida - islands at the head of the Bay of Naples. Anchored in Ischia, just under the Castello, built in 474BC on a rock, then joined to the island itself by a causeway built in the 1430's I believe by one of the Aragon lot. Imposing structure and very smart island. Since the Greeks it has been known for its hot springs (medicinal drinking and bathing, they are apparently slightly radioactive and good for rheumatism and arthritis). They are the hottest in the area and you need a local Dr's certificate to partake of them - allegedly. Far into the distance you can see Vesuvius and, with the binoculars, the crater itself.

Procida is a small and a colourful little place, with peeling Neapolitan ice cream colours. And winding little streets and scruffiness as only the Italians can do it. We are anchored under its Castello in the Cala di Carricella. Well, we have been anchored several places here to try and find a good spot. It is forecast to blow up in the night so a question of finding shelter from that and the swell. We didn't succeed with the swell. A very lumpy night last night with the swell curling round the headland and coming from a completely different direction.

It's the weekend and it seems the entire Italian mainland population has come out to play. During the day, it is wall to wall power boats, RIBs, little fishing boats, all stuffed to the gunwhales with tanned men and women in skimpy costumes doing an inordinate amount of posing. They put their fenders out (and they are needed!) as precision anchoring does not yet seem to have been perfected in these parts.

Sitting it out at the moment to see how it settles for our next hop across the Bay. We need to find somewhere not expensive to leave the boat to visit Pompeii and Herc. One place quoted E100 for one night for us - a baby boat by Med standards! They must be either very rich in Italy or all lunatics! So on the hunt…..and waiting to see what the weather does (but still hot and sunny!).