Italy
Cirò Marina

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    • Day 14

      North in the Ionian Sea

      September 21, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

      Between Rocella Ionica and Le Castella, we actually sailed! The wind came and went but for the last 2 hours it was steady. The coastline had trees and communities along the shore with brown scrubby slopes behind except where there was a farm and orchards. Le Castella's inner harbour was a dinky place but very well protected from storms. Sadly, there was a boat on the rocks that hadn't made it in. We wandered to the castle remains, down the main street and past the restaurants and bars overlooking the sea and castle. The rest of the town seems in disrepair or unfinished. We found a small grocery store and picked up a few things.
      The next day we did some more sailing with 14 knots of wind and some waves from behind bringing us to Porto di Ciro. I was expecting it to be like Le Castella but it's much bigger and seems to be busy and thriving. The harbour had no space on their pleasure boat docks so we docked between 2 fishing trawlers. Nets and lines are stacked on the dock and men were coming and going to their boats. No one greeted us and it was siesta time for all the shops so we stayed on board until late afternoon trying to stay cool. A fellow came, took pictures of our documents and charged us €20, our cheapest marina price yet! We were hoping he was the dockmaster and not someone making a quick Euro! We found a patisserie 😋and a ship chandlery where we had fun acting out to explain what we needed. The town square was filled with groups of older men sitting around talking. It seems wherever we go, on any park bench, older men will be sitting and having a "chin wag". No women or wives around!
      The wind was still blowing although the water in the harbour was calm. After looking at the forecast and much discussion, we decided we'd leave before sunrise to cross Golfo di Taranto before the bigger winds came. My worries were not unfounded...
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    • Day 19

      Thunder and lightning, oh my!

      September 26, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌩️ 22 °C

      Not going anywhere today! Wind whistled, boat bounced, lightning flashed and streaked, thunder rumbled and cracked, and rain poured! The sun came out, and around it went again, all day. Thank goodness we were in the harbour tied up!Read more

    • Day 18

      Still here...

      September 25, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

      We've been in Porto di Ciro for 4 days now trying to jump across to St Maria di Leuca. The Ionian Sea and winds are not cooperating! On the first attempt, the winds and waves were from the South and after the gale warning, we headed back. We spent the next day exploring on our bikes. Unfortunately, the supposedly excellent antiquities museum was closed so we rode towards the Pt. Alice lighthouse but the sandy path prevented us from proceeding. (thwarted- a familiar theme!) Back at the boat, we did a few odd jobs while the wind blew 34 knots! Thank goodness we were here! Even in the harbour we felt the boat buffeting and jerking on its lines. The wind brought some clouds and a sprinkling of rain. Our 2nd voyage out began yesterday at 0610 after coffee. Fortunately, the cooking gas ran out after the coffee was made. After an hour with a North wind, the wind alarm beeping, waves increasing, and another gale warning, we turned around. Back on the dock, a fellow Canadian came by. He's been living here for 5 years and has family back in Winnipeg, but as a chef, worked in Kelowna and in other provinces. He gave us a restaurant recommendation. Bob wanted to get more diesel and once again, had to be the bicycle fuel delivery guy! Being Sunday, the gas station was closed and the streets were dead quiet but we were able to get cooking gas and the young fellow gave Bob a free lighter after chatting. The bigger grocery store was open so we picked up a few things...medicinal wine! We've adopted a number of things as "approved medical devices" - a narrow, short board as a back scratcher and lotion spreader, a cold beer bottle as a compress for swollen bites, a metal file for callus removal, and wine as a nerve relaxant! When we came back from the store, an Italian catamaran came in from a short distance up the coast. They asked to borrow our bikes to go to the grocery store and afterwards invited us for a glass of wine. It was a charter and they were only traveling a few stops on the coast. We went out for pasta at the recommended restaurant on the water. Everyone in the town was out! It seems Sunday is for church and staying home in the afternoon and then everyone comes out at night until late! Even when there is school and work the next day!
      A thunderstorm came through so the boat got a minor wash.
      After checking the forecast ad nauseum, we decided leaving around 11 today would be good as winds were supposed to drop. Bob picked up fuel early on his bike. As we came out from the harbour, we could see the swells and whitecaps beyond the Point. We got out far enough to realize the swells were too big so we turned around again and here we sit pondering...
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    • Day 25

      Ciro marina. Italian South Coast

      June 5, 2019 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

      Lovely weather and a nice ride through the rolling countryside. In the four hour ride I don't think I saw one motorcycle which I thought very unusual for this trip. I did see a few more of those girls standing by the road, a bit more modestly dressed than those of yesterday but I don't think they were waiting for a bus.
      I chose this place as it is half way to Sicily from Matera and it is a small town with a beach front hotel which happens to be four star. So as I write this I'm being waited on in the restaurant by more staff than there are customers.
      The food is some of the best I've had. I love it.
      The photos are of the ride plus several from the hotel and it's surroundings as it is so nice.
      I needed to do a bit of work to the bike when I arrived as the chain needed cleaning and new grease after all the rain. So I sprayed it with a cleaner then wiped it with several rags during which my hands became very black. As I entered this posh hotel I tried to hide my black hands and smiled at the concierge who said Mr Sprot here is your passport.
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    • Day 69

      Ciro Marina

      June 1, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      After a slow start we are now making swifter progress west. We spent another night in Taranto and used the day to visit Martina Franca photos attached, this is where we changed buses to go to Alberobello. The old town on top of the hill was beautiful, lots of tiny winding streets opening to Piazzas. From Taranto to Policoro Marina it’s about 5km from the town but so sheltered, clean, cheap and with good facilities. Then a night in Cariati Marina, old, expensive, no facilities but old town, again up the hill, was pretty and latte’s cost €1 each! We are now back in Ciro Marina, we stopped here about the same time last year, but this time we might have to pay as have been asked to visit an office later, not sure where, the wave from the guy who helped us moor was fairly vague.Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Cirò Marina, Ciro Marina

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