Trapped by the wind in Sardinia

After Abbie caught her flight from Olbia airport we rushed around doing shopping and washing with the hope that we would now start our long journey out of the Med. But typically a strong north westerly was being pushed out of the Golf De Leon which was speeding it way down to Sardinia and bringing with it 30 knots of wind.  So any hope of head north and east we put on hold but we also did not want to get stuck in the heat in Olbia, so we headed south.  The journey out of Olbia is frustrating, the channel is around 6 miles and on ever occasion we seem to have a head wind so we have had to motor, passing the hundreds of buoys which line the channel with shellfish farms.

The blue dots are all buoys and they go on for miles!

We have also enjoyed passing the Sardinia to Corsica ferries, how did they ever afford this branding!

Within Golfo Di Olbia stands the IsolaTavolara , the island is not inhabited although does have a small beach bar/restaurant on one side, it is pretty spectaular in the distance.  

Isola Tavolara

Isola Tavolara - slightly different angle

We sailed south of this island for few more miles and then anchored in Porto Brandinghi which is a huge bay with plenty of swinging room but luckily very few boats.  There were a few lovely looking villas around the bay and a small holiday complex surrounded by rolling hills. 

Brandinghi

We rested here for a couple of days whilst the wind howled around us and Mark enjoyed watching the wind surfers which had launched from an anchored power boat, wishing he could have a go!

See the windsurfer flying across the water behind the powerboat

After a couple of days and a wind change we moved a few miles to Porto della Taverna, a very pretty small bay which was quite busy with boats being the weekend and the ice cream/bar boat was busy.

Ice cream/bar boat

We had great views of the island as the weather started to change and we found ourselves as much shelter as possible for the windy night ahead.

Isola Tavolara engulfed in cloud, also we love the colour of this power boat, very unique

Thankfully only lasted overnight and the next day we headed back down the Olbia channel with the inevitable head wind! Final provisions and a favourable forecast and ready to go.