Anzio to Gaeta and another visitor

After another roly poly night, we set off before 0800. I was happy to get moving. We set off along the coast which is very low with beaches backdropped by green hills and rocky mountains. We noticed a power boat without any markings on it coming up quickly behind us. More Guardia we wondered? Sure enough, the boat came within shouting distance to tell us we were in a military firing range zone! He asked where we were going and gave us a heading to maintain for 2 n.m. then we could carry on. It proved to be close to our heading anyway so no detour was required. We came to Monte Circeo, what used to be an island, and is where Odysseus lingered for a year under the spell of the enchantress, Circe, eating🥩 and drinking 🍷and enjoying her other attractions. There are massive walls of the ancient city of Circeii up the slopes of the mountain and lovely villas, and hotels on the rocky coast. The wind had picked up and the sun was finally making a comeback so we motorsailed avoiding logs floating ! 😬 From where, who knows! We came to the rocky promontory of Gaeta and decided to anchor off the beach beside the rocky cliff under ancient walls, a church and where the birds nest and swoop down to the sea. There were people swimming at the beach but before I could get organized to swim off the boat, it started sprinkling so I gave up the idea. It was calm and I could hear the water lapping against the rocks, the birds twittering and cawing and the church bells chiming. Lovely, and would be perfect without the rain!Read more