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What to tell!!We have been cruising the Aeolian Islands - a group of volcanic islands just north of Sicily. Vulcano (an 80 mile sail from where we were on the north coast - we had good winds and averaged around 10 knots) had a great but very crowded anchorage. Ashore was a good beach with hot springs in the sea, and behind the beach was a pond of hot volcanic mud which we basted ourselves with and wallowed in (those of you who kjnow that Anna wants to be a hippopotamus when she grow up will be pleased to know that she enjoyed her first hippo experience!). We were with our friends on Casulo (Solange, Joao, Louanna and Marina), John Joao, Solange and Marina went up the volcano and saw the crater and the geezers, it was a bit steep for Ellen and Anna, and where Ellen goes so too goes Marina (and the otherway round!). We moved on to Stromboli, an erupting volcano. John and Joao took a hike (long and steep walk) up the volcano for night time viewing of the spewing fire (apparently it was incredible - they were both awed by it). I decided that it was time I took the boat out without John, I persuaded Solange to come with (and all the kids of course) and we took Double Helix out round the volcano to watch the lava exploding out of the volcano (only visibe at night). It was very impressive, although not as impressive as me and Solange managing to anchor at night with 10 - 15 knot winds in a very crowded anchorage.We stayed a couple more days in the volcanic islands, finding a lovely anchorage with a lovely beach and spending time with our friends on Casulo. As I write this we are anchored in Tindari on the north coast of Sicily (we sailed down here from the islands in 15 - 17 knots of wind, making 8.5 knots with 2 reefs in and half the foresail). It is a pretty anchorage with a sand bank and lagoons ashore, and beautiful mountains as a backdrop. We have given our outboard motor to someone to fix as it hasn't been working since we were in Volcano, so hopefully we will have it back tomorrow, and then be on our was round to the straits of Messina, where we hope to do some sightseeing before setting off for Greece.Ellen and Anna have been having a lovely time with their friends, as have John and I with our friends! Double Helix continues to sail well, and apart from the usual things like dragging anchors we have been enjoying her.I wrote this a few days ago. Our friends have now gone to Greece and we are in Catania, heading to Syracuse!
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