Day Three - Port Azzuro to Marina di Campo
In the morning we headed back into town for an early lunch and a wander around. We found an interesting artisan pottery - but it's just too hard to get anything home safely. In the end we set off around 3pm to continue our clockwise circumnavigation of Elba. We set sail immediately upon weighing anchor - and apart from a moment heading out of the bay when the wind inexplicably dropped to 0.1 knots - we sailed all 17 nautical miles to Marina di Campo despite the wind being predominately against us. When we got out to see it was initially gusting at about 20 knots - but then settled down at around 10-12 - which made for perfect sailing, good progress without spilling the drinks!
I have to say, this was one of the best sails we have ever had on these holidays. The Sun Odyssey points well into the wind so you can actually make respectable progress over ground. I remember the ghastly Bavaria we had in Croatia one year when you really could not get anywhere at all against the wind. Not only did it refuse to point up, there was so much downwind drift you practically went backwards. So, it was very satisfying to arrive close hauled in Marina di Campo having tacked all the way - 17 NM in 4.5 hours.
We headed into town - and this is much more of a resort than Porto Azzuro. We finished up in a very happening open air cocktail bar - quaffing mohitos and daiquiris and eating sushi.
On our way back we encountered a really good band at one of of the harbour front restaurants - playing country music, all sung in English. The singer would introduce things in rapid Italian and then suddenly you would hear 'Willie Nelson' or 'Johnny Cash' - we clapped along - great end to the evening. Then, back in our micro dinghy (we cannot all fit in and have to do two runs) and off to bed. Not the best night - rather a lot of swell. Still - we are waking up in the most beautiful place and there is no hurry! it is 11am and we are snacking and thinking about what to do next!
I have to say, this was one of the best sails we have ever had on these holidays. The Sun Odyssey points well into the wind so you can actually make respectable progress over ground. I remember the ghastly Bavaria we had in Croatia one year when you really could not get anywhere at all against the wind. Not only did it refuse to point up, there was so much downwind drift you practically went backwards. So, it was very satisfying to arrive close hauled in Marina di Campo having tacked all the way - 17 NM in 4.5 hours.
We headed into town - and this is much more of a resort than Porto Azzuro. We finished up in a very happening open air cocktail bar - quaffing mohitos and daiquiris and eating sushi.
On our way back we encountered a really good band at one of of the harbour front restaurants - playing country music, all sung in English. The singer would introduce things in rapid Italian and then suddenly you would hear 'Willie Nelson' or 'Johnny Cash' - we clapped along - great end to the evening. Then, back in our micro dinghy (we cannot all fit in and have to do two runs) and off to bed. Not the best night - rather a lot of swell. Still - we are waking up in the most beautiful place and there is no hurry! it is 11am and we are snacking and thinking about what to do next!
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