Pontine Islands, Naples and beyond..

We picked up our new crew Leoni in Rome and  headed South toward the Pontine Islands. An overnight in the nice protected anchorage at Anzio and next morning a brisk sail out to the Ponza. We had an OK sail but unfortunately headwinds meant tacking the whole way into an uncomfortable swell. Who says cats can’t go to windward ?!

Lost of other yachts were motoring the direct course but we kept up with most and sailed past a few as well!

Arrived at Ponza in the evening and set anchor in a nice protected bay near the main town to weather 30knot NW for a day or two. Next day we had a walk around the town and relaxed aboard Sephina while Leoni brushed up on her sailing knots. Ponza has some pretty amazing cliffs and rock formations around. Its part of the ancient volcanic region that covers most of this area in Italy.

 

From Ponza we headed toward The Bay of Naples and stopped in at Ventotene on the way. Really glad we did ! It’s a great little island, free mooring on the new harbour wall and not very touristic at all. Its only about 3km long with a population of about 700 people. Lots of lush volcanic farming land and they specialise in wines and lentils. A wander around, some gelati and a swim in the bluest clear water off the rockpools made for a great day. Leoni grabbed a bike and rode around most of the island. Later we went to La Gaurdia restaraunt for a gastronomic meal of seafood, lentils and the best pistachio icecream Jen has ever tasted! nice !! Balrog entertained the locals with his swimming and Leoni was liek a fish as well.

The sea here really is that blue!

 

 

A couple of days in Ventotene and it was off toward Naples. We dropped anchor off the Island of Ischia. Wow, amazing anchorage! Very protected, uncrowded and the views were amazing. A 70BC castle 100m away towering over us to the North, the lush island to the West, Mt Vesuvius to the East and Capri to the South. We met Johnny and Michelle and Loupy and had a couple of drinks before heading to town for pizza. Nice little  place. Next day we went for a long walk through the park and picked up some supplies before heading off to Capri.

views NSEW from Sephina.

Capri was very scenic and busy. We dropped anchor for a mid day swim and lunch before heading back to the mainland for a night anchorage.

July 7th we sailed to Acciaroli. The marinero helped us tie up and when I asked how much/night he said it’s free! (so long as we don;t need power and water). Nice marina and town, perfect for a couple of days restocking and relaxing and swimming. The town is nice with narrow streets with no traffic, especially at night it has a real charm. Early next day we headed the 80 miles toward The Aeolian Islands.