Italy to Greece

 Once in Calabria we wanted to drive a direct route to Bari but spend 2 nights at a campsite on the Ionian Coast.

We checked in with ease to the ferry and were soon loaded in the bowels of the ship for the night crossing to Igoumenitsa.

The crossing was calm and we arrived as dawn was breaking in Greece. It took some time to drive up two decks to the departure ramp.

Despite sending an hour in Malta trying to upload the Italy - Greece map in Tom Tom gps we were not successful so followed our nose to the south.

Reaching Sivota which we know from sailing we checked internet map and best option was to back track. At Platerias Police were blocking off roads as a triathlon event had started. We followed advice from Police at various junctions until finally followed a local down unmade roads.

Alone it became worse as we drove through plants growing in the middle. 

Finally we rejoined the main road and 2 hours later than it should have been we came to the boatyard at Preveza. The solar panels had kept the batteries charged. We did some initial cleaning and drove on to Levkas Island to camp for 3 nights to rest before preparing the boat for water. 

East Coast.. 

West Coast... 

Malta to Italy

This journey was planned for Spring 2020 but we know how the plandemic put an end to that.

By 6.30 am on a hot calm first Day of June we were already embarked on the fast ferry from Valletta, Malta to Pozzallo, Sicily, Italy for the 7.30 departure.

Once in Sicily we followed the E45 autostrada until the IKEA store on the edge of Catania. The 25 year old car has no aircon so were glad to be in the cool store, buy some items we needed and take refreshnents.

We continued north coming to a toll section. Avoiding the lane with closed barier we drove through an open one. Reaching our exit we stopped at the barrier. No one was in the booth. What to do? There was a man in the next booth. He asked if I had a ticket. After making a phone call he told me to put 60 cents into the machine and we continued on to Mokambo Camping.

We stayed here previously. This time Mount Etna volcano was more active issuing out smoke by Day and orange magma glowing at night from a fissure. 

Next day we drove the coast road passing beautiful Taormina and later taking one section of toll road to avoid a slow stretch. We had stopped at a supermarket at 13.00 to be told they had closed. It was, Saturday. 

We came to Messina, brought a ferry ticket for 35 euros and waited our turn to board the ferry across the Messina Straight to Calabria.

Nisa Portugal

 Nisa is an historic small town in the Portalegre region of Portugal. It has ancient walls and gates and was famous for embroidery.

We made a brief stop heading north for an appointment returning to visit friends.

Just to the north of Nisa we visited a land of 65 hectares which is for sale. We are looking for suitable land for the members of the Alcateia do Lobo 'tribe' to acquire on which to create a new eco-village.

One day we found a walk close to farmland and a place to pause.

Our friends invited us to help plant a fruit tree. 

More images from the land...

New class of 5.80m mini yachts in Lagos Portugal

 The 5.80 metre class of mini yachts is designed to be built in wood at home by the owner and ultimately sailed in a round the world race single handed. Over 160 sets of plans have been sold.

The first 6 completed boats assembed in Lagos Portugal prior to racing single handed across the Atlantic.

We went to the Lagos Marina to see the boats and meet some of the people involved. 

More info at https://www.ClassGlobe580.com

Up the river - Alcoutim

 The first new stop on our late Autumn tour of Portugal was Alcoutim, on the bank of the Rio Guardiana separating Portugal from Spain and about 40 km upstream from the Coast.

It is tidal and navigable and a place where some yachts winter.

On a comfortable boat with heating I could winter here.