After a hard two day slog into winds of 25 to 40 knots we at last entered the Straits of Messina. Finally, the winds settled into those predicted: light and on the nose winds, we loved it.

Did our comfortable sail last long? Hell no! Only an hour later the winds rushed in at 20+ knots – still on the nose. In between tide and wind, our few hours became a day.

Night falling, winds not abating, the decision was made to berth in Reggio Calabria: not a bad place for a stopover.