San Vincenzo to Marina di Pisa 24 July

San Vincenzo is really a lovely town and we can understand why so many people are on holiday here.

Leaving San Vincenzo the obedient crew being instructed.....

by the strict captain.

San Vincenzo just before sunrise.

En route to Marina di Pisa.

Is he sad to be leaving us soon?

Pisa is 14 km from Marina di Pisa, a quick bus ride away.

Such a beautiful place, Pisa.  Had a busy time checking trains and planes for Calle, but managed a visit to leaning tower of Pisa, of course.

Fooling around at the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Salivoli to San Vincenzo 23 July

A short trip to San Vincenzo

We arrived in the lovely Tuscany town of San Vincenzo. A modern Marina with friendly and helpful staff. Beautiful houses in Tuscany style. We tried to do some laundry but got a mouthful in Italian  from the laundry place because there it was no possible today, we presume she said. We also needed to buy more Internet and tele time but no one could help us. So we bought the last thing on our list, water.

Spent the afternoon on the beach, ate on board and visited the Zanzi Bar.

Like many of the town's we have past through this is full of Italians on holiday. The beaches are full of sun worshippers and the evenings a full of people walking and eating until at least midnight. This includes small children.

A 5-6 hour trip tomorrow to Marina di Pisa, where we will send off Calle in a few days time.

Cala Galera to Salivoli 22 July

Left early this morning with the plan to reach Punta Ala Marina.

The fort on the hill at Ercole. 

It was in this area on the Tuscany coast that captain Francesco Schettino ran the cruise ship Costa Concordia aground. Actually just outside the harbour on the island Giglio, late on Friday 13 January 2012. On board totally 4 252 persons. 32 persons died.

The captain confident that LB is on course and the crew wide awake. 

Checking for any Hooray Henries. 

We got to Punta Ala Marina quite early so decided to push on to Salivoli so that we could catch a ferry to The island of Elba.

Carl has discovered selfies!

Yes, he has. On the ferry to Elba.

Approaching Elba, a beautiful green island.

The Marina in Portoferraio, Elba 

Set off to find Napoleons house, passed spaggetteria, pizzeria, trattotaria and a few more -rias.

Portoferraio is a lovely city. Carl worked out from the name that there must be a mine on the island. And he was right, closed down in the eighties.

On the stairs up to Napoleon's house.

Napoleon's house. We all know from school tha Napoleon was banished to Elba, but do we remember that there was a Napoleon II, Bonaparte's son who ruled for only one month and a Napoleon III, Bonaparte's nephew who ruled for a few years? He was also known as Louis Bonaparte. This we checked on Google!

We returned to Lellebelle after an interesting, long and very hot day with the wonderful prospect of sleeping in tomorrow, although only to 8. 

Ostia to Marina Cala Galera 21 July

Left Ostia at 5.30 this morning for a 10 hour trip to Porto Ercole.

Our new crew member was ready for the challenge....

And then had to recuperate.

Slept in the sun and had a mild case of sunstroke.

Porto Ercole had no place for us do we berthed at Cala Galera just 5 minutes away.

After a swim we took a walk to Porto Ercole. Same legs, father and son.

A beer in port Ercole.

Porto Ercole, cute place. Got back after 9 to yet another late supper, on the boat. It is a tiny bit cooler than in Ostia and easier to sleep.

Ostia and Rome 17 - 20 July

Last night with Peter

 Thanks Pete for being a wonderful, cheerful and helpful crew.

Dinner at the local restaurant for Pete's last night . Table behind beautifully set for a farewell party for a policeman, apparently. They ate a lot!

A special kind of pasta served in a special package, of course it was more expensive. Italy is expensive.

Carl and Pete have ended every evening with an ice cream, usually at about midnight,

Change of crew, Pete is leaving and Calle has arrived.

Calle wants watermelon and more watermelon. He has found this very practical way of cutting up a watermelon.

Calle arriving at the Leonardo da Vinci airport. He has still not noticed how hot it is.

Shirt off and time to dive into the sea. The sea is beautiful but the sand is black. Bit strange to swim in black sand.

On our way to Rome. Going to spend the night in Rome, see some sights and meet Lucy, Seb and Pete.

Arriving at Cavour Metro after an extremely hot train ride from Lido Centro. Seems like there have been delays with the trains and the people were very very angry. Screaming and shouting every time they announced something on the loudspeaker, and then cheering, presumably for good news. The train came after 5 minutes. Hardly any air in the train, maybe that's why some people went and screamed abuses at the driver and kicked the train when we arrived. The Italians are certainly living up to their reputation of bring emotional!

,

The Colosseum. 

Another view.

A short break after the Colosseum and before heading off to meet the others.

At last, we meet up with Seb, Pete and Lucy.

And find the nearest watering hole. Calle the vegan got to order the antipasto, which we all enjoyed.

So sweet!

Taking a break on one of the many beautiful bridges in beautiful, but hot, Rome.

Sunday morning off to the Vatican.

Found some shade and just sat with the crowds....

....who we found out were waiting for the Pope to appear at the famous window. So quite unexpectedly even we were blessed by the Pope. 

The Swiss guard.

For the very last time meeting up at Lilli, a restaurant recommended by Alex.

Trattoria Lilli. Alex and Eli were here 5 years ago. Still good food and great atmosphere.

Rome is a wonderful city. Will have to come back, but definitely in the winter.

After a long hot day in Rome and a long hot journey back to the Marina, a time to cool down.

Calle and Carl off to fill up with diesel after a long day with stocking up and visit from mechanics. Now all set to leave tomorrow.

Drinks with our friendly neighbours, Louise, James and Baily, the Siamese cat.

Baily lives on board and is the author of a book, Baily the Boat Cat, Adventures of a feline afloat. Available on Amazon, a lovely book.