Splash! Arbatax

We are now back in the water (splashed yesterday Friday 28 September 1000H) and provisioned almost ready to depart Arbatax for our final cruise south and East taking in Tunisia and Malta on the way back to Marina di Ragusa.  The weather window does not look great today so we will probably put off our departure and spend the day on last minute jobs before we depart.  There are a couple of meals to make up and we have to do our passage plan etc etc.  Also, we are feeling a bit like having a relaxing day today.

Our launch on Friday morning went very well.  We both agree this was our best launch experience ever....

We hear the crane fire up at 10 am sharp and see the great blue monster coming our way.  

The straps Matelot is to hang in are wrapped carefully in plastic and masking tape (that's a first!) by Francesco then carefully manouvered into place. 

Matelot is gently lifted off her supports.  Willing hands from Francesco, Nando and Luciano with Klaus standing by just in case, rush around assisting in the clean up of the bare patches under the supports and underneath the keel.  The roller, dripping with antifoul paint is taken from Pippy's hands (no Senora!) and expertly all of the bare patches are soon painted over.  

Matelot drying off in the slings

Before we know it SY Matelot is on her way across the short strip of land and being manouvered into place above the water.  But wait!  The crane driver climbs down and tells us we have 'mezzo ore' (half an hour) for the paint to dry a little in the sun.  

So off we go for a coffee at the cafe just close by where we can sit and keep an eye out for the crane driver to return. 

Just by chance, a Guardia Costiera guy walks into the cafe. Pippy recognises the insignia on his shirt and initiates a conversation.  "We have heard that we can check out of Italy here ... is it true?"  Yes he tells us, but the office is closing at 1200 sharp, so you have to come now.  It is already after 1100H and we are being told to go back to the boat now - she is being launched.  We are back on board and the noise of the crane blocks out everything... down we go and suddenly we are floating again and the Guardia Costiera is still calling out to Richard from the land... hurry up he says!!   We glide smoothly out of the dock and its a frantic rush to get fenders over the side ready to reverse into our marina slot. 

Within minutes we are in, tied up and engine still running, Richard grabs all our ships papers, passports etc and heads off leaving Pippy to sort the boat and follow on.  Its a short walk across the railway lines to the GC Office where we proceed to work through all the official requirements. We get the impression they have not checked out a small private boat like ours here before, but they are charming and patient with us. More than an hour later, everyone well ready to stop for lunch, we are stamped and officially leaving Italy on Sunday.  We have paid E31 to the post office across the Piazza and brought the receipt back to the Guardia Costiera.  Done and dusted.

After this marathon session we must go back to say thanks to the guys in the boat yard. They are awesome.  Suddenly we are invited to lunch with them.  We join them in their container shed lunch room for pasta and a huge pot full of pasta sauce made with massive cray fish floating in it whole!!  It is delicious washed down with locally made (by Luciano) red wine and lots of toasts and laughter!   Then just to finish off we snack on a selection of prawn, baby octopus and small fish.  

Finally, when we think we are walking back to our boat by now abandoned on the marina pontoon, we find ourselves being driven off to the local cafe in their cars for a coffee, gelato and grappa.  

WHEW!!  What hospitality and what fun!  The busy day ends with the sun going down and the same bunch of guys on our boat having...yes you guessed it, more grappa!!

Considering most of them do not speak much English and we only have a small amount of Italian, we have managed to communicate very well.  

Matelot bobs gently on her mooring lines.  She is covered in dust on top, but the waterline is 'sharp man!'