Days 158 to 161: 20th to 23rd November 2017

Monday: Riposto to Syracuse

Early start for the 50 miles or so to Syracuse which all the adults were looking forward to. Unfortunately I had a stinking cold and ached a lot so the 50 miles was a bit of an endurance for me and I was extremely glad when we entered the beautiful harbour.

Once moored I just slept while Patrick and Roger took the kids out to explore. When they returned we had a discussion about the plans for the next few days and as the weather looked good we decided to keep going for the next two days so we could be in Ragusa for Wednesday so that Roger could get a flight home Thursday in time for the weekend. Roger then suggested that we eat out that evening so I didn't have to cook and so I could see a little of the town before we departed the next day.



Syracuse was truly beautiful and I'm sure we will return to explore further. The meal was delicious, with the waiter even going out to another restaurant because AJ wanted Pizza which wasn't on their menu. Patrick's meal was a little on the small side but as I wasn't so hungry he ate some of mine, as well as some of Esme's so all was good.

Tuesday: Syracuse to Marzamemi

I was feeling a little better but still pretty rough so I was glad that today was only 20 miles. We arrived at Marzamemi, paid a somewhat excessive 30 Euros given the non existent facilities and again Roger and Patrick took the kids out to explore. Apparently the whole place was absolutely dead! If I was feeling a little better I would have wished we had carried on and sailed overnight to Ragusa. We had an early meal and played Squirkle, the game that Roger had kindly bought us as a present!

Wednesday: Marzamemi to Ragusa

Another early start and once we rounded the bottom of Sicily we were met by some rather unpleasant swell. Not enough to really slow us down, but enough to make moving around the boat down below a little uncomfortable. However our spirits couldn't be dampened as we looked forward to seeing both old friends and new at Ragusa. Esmé was very keen to talk to Kynan on the radio but unfortunately we could quite make it before they had to go out.

On our arrival we were met by a rib outside the harbour and as we followed it in we saw the Dizzie crew waving to us from the other side of the marina. As we moored up more and more kids appeared and we had a great feeling of community before our feet had even touched the dock. Once we had eaten lunch the kids went for a movie afternoon with the other 20 or so kids while we booked ourselves in and started to find our feet.

We then went round for a lovely dinner on Dizzie and enjoyed our last evening with Roger. 

Thursday: Thanksgiving in Ragusa

We woke at a much more sociable time than recently, had breakfast and said goodbye to Roger before starting boatschool. With only a few teething problems we got Maths and English out of the way before Esmé and I got a lift to a supermarket with Lynita as she went to pick up Kynan and Leora from the local preschool they are attending. 

On our return we had lunch before the kids disappeared off again while I prepared some whipped cream for part of our contribution to the Thanksgiving meal being organised by a lovely American family. Showers for the kids then off to the large meeting room for a fantastic celebration meal where we enjoyed amazing food, plentiful drinks and great conversation,  the kids eating and playing together all evening. All in all a lovely welcome to a fantastic place.