Day 127: 17/10/17 Chiavara to Le Grazie

A cold early start as we wanted to call in at Lavagna to get diesel. Strangely, despite the forecast of no wind, there was quite a breeze this morning, probably almost a reverse sea breeze as the land was so much colder than the sea. In any case this made getting onto the fuel pontoon at Lavagne a little tricky but nothing we couldn't handle. There was no sign of life at the fuel kiosk as we tied up but then we spotted a guy with a clipboard ambling along the pontoon. I suggested Patrick went to ask him and there followed a comedy moment with Patrick sprinting along after the guy, trying to attract his attention with his non existent Italian. After his 100m dash he returned to say that the fuel guy was at the other end of the marina, as they were just taking a fuel delivery. He would be round in 10 minutes..... I guessed this may take some time so made us some scrambled eggs for breakfast and I was proved right, as the guy eventually appeared some 45 minutes later. Fuel was an eye watering Euro 1.53 but we really wanted to top the tank up so paid the inflated price.



We got on with boatschool, again in short bursts but today the kids hearts were really not in it. We struggled on though and both completed "enough".









Onwards towards the Cinque Terres National Park which was absolutely stunning. I am perfectly aware that kids don't generally appreciate scenery so was ok with them chilling out down below,  occasionally popping their heads up when I told them of a new village to look at. AJ's call to Esmé "quick, take a look... this is amazing!" was quite enough of an endorsement of our minor detour for me.

Despite the late season, there were still plenty of day tripper boats which caused a wash induced chaos with the remains of our lunch.... peanuts and cheese slices flew everywhere and it was quickly all hands on deck to tidy up.

It was then just a short motor to Porto Venere where we planned to anchor. Unfortunately although it looked a lovely place, there didn't appear to be anywhere particularly suitable to anchor so we carried on to Le Grazie.

Porto Venere

Once anchored in Le Grazie we decided to roast Esme's (San Remo Market) chestnuts in the frying pan and let the kids taste them for the first time. Esmé couldn't wait to try to shell them despite the heat so decided rubber gloves were the way forward.

We then used up the borlotti beans she had requested at the same time by making cowboy beans to go with our last sausages and fried potatoes. A lovely meal eaten on deck in beautiful surroundings, which was only improved by the sighting of a lone dolphin. A perfect end to a lovely day.

I am now sat on deck writing this in the dark, enjoying the peace, but noticing the kids light still on in their cabin. I look down to see that both are still engrossed in their books. A big positive for living on a boat...... and now they have joined me for cuddles before sleep, saying that they are really glad to be on our big adventure. It's been a long time since I asked them how they felt about the big adventure, every since before we set off they have always answered that they are 50/50 on whether they would prefer to adventure or stay home with friends. Today for the first time they both said they were "zero" in favour of being at home... Esmé said she was "infinity" in favour of the big adventure!