Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Day one is acclimatising to Tall Ship sailing in the Mediterranean. The weather is warm and kind so the various safety drills are fulfilled in a mild climate and timely way.
The next day the harbour pilot arrives and we leave Valetta and motor from the harbour into the open sea where the sails are set and we are under sail assisted gently by the engines in a mild sea and wind. This is no force 6! Very civilised and welcome. We arrive in the Sicily port of Siracusa. There are numerousboats, modest cruisers to gin palaces. Tenacious is a jewel amongst thorns. We spend the night of the 24th either visiting the Cathedral to hear the Midnight Mass or roaming in the town. The road rules are different here. Zebra crossings are not safe havens here but perhaps a target for the game of 'surprise'for the pedestrian. We then return to the ship. Back at Tenacious the Christmas Eve spirit is coming together in both the galley and bar. I retire to my bunk to ready myself for Christmas Day in Sicily.
The next day starts for me with a harbour watch at 4am. Two of us care for Tenacious while the sun comes up, the bins are collected from the streets and there is a curious explosion noise that raises our eyebrows incuriosity but goes without notice by local people. Our watch is otherwise without incident.
Christmas day official celebrations commenced with a breakfast of smoked salmon, scrambled egg and Bucks Fizz. What's that on Chefs head? Is it a sheep? Hope it's not for lunch later?
We celebrate Christmas day in the lower mess with a generous traditional spread - turkey and the trimmings followed by an excellent Christmas pudding and resolutions for the next few months.
- comments