37 12.1 N 009 07.5 E Cagliari Saturday 9th OctWell that was a poor show. We went out of the harbour again to big swells and choppiness, the wind getting up to F5 very quickly. Whilst not too much in itself, the swell was coming in from the SE and no where along that whole south coast (within easy reach) would have had sufficient shelter for anchoring overnight. We went about 8 miles and reluctantly turned back. By the time we returned it was now blowing even i...

37 12.1 N 009 07.5 E Cagliari Thursday 7th OctWell, so far Cagliari has evaded us. We arrived in Marina del Sole (where we hope to leave the boat) and were helped in by ormeggiatore Max. We have filled in no forms and no one has asked us how long we're here for, nor for any money. The place is ramshackle, but good natured, with many foreign boats - some liveaboards, who obviously take advantage of the fact that this is one of the most reasonable marinas on t...

38 53.3 N 008 49.6 E Malfantano Sunday 3 Oct It's been a week. We stayed in Portoscuso for one night only and went all of 3 miles across the Strait of San Piedro to Carloforte on the Isola di San Pietro. Carloforte is the only town on this small island off the southwest of Sardinia and is attractive with pastel coloured houses rising from the water's edge. It is a maze of little streets and steps. Shops are difficult to find until you realise they are the front...

39 54.2 N 008 21.5 E Aristano Sunday 26 Sept We're just over 50nm south of Alghero now, on the Costa Verde. Mountains rising inland, the coast is strange - it is green rock. We stopped overnight at a place called Bosa (nothing there but enabled us to take a sample of said rock for later identification). Now in a place called Aristano, Torre Grande marina. The approach comes around a cape and past the ruins of Tharros - two huge columns remain standing and the im...

40 35.8 N 008 18.7 E Alghero, Sardinia Thurs 23 Sept Left Menorca at 7.30am on Monday - big swell and lumpy sea leftover from a windy Sunday. Wind in the right direction but not quite enough of it. A long journey (195nm, mostly under engine, a brilliantly starry night and sunny Tuesday. All we saw in 32 hours were: 2 cargo ships, 1 diddy flappy bird (non-seagull), 2 sailing boats and 5 dolphins. And miles and miles of sea.Engine faltered again as we reached Po...