Charles and I had quite the adventure last night. We have had lots of friends and family tell us they have been living vicariously through us over the past few months. Well, I would have welcomed a trade with any one of you last night (No I wouldn't, I love you all too much).
Charles and I were sick of the storms on Elba (island off the coast of Piombino, Italy). The weather off the island looked great. So we decided to take off and head towards Rome. 2 hours into our sail our regulator broke and we were no longer charging our bateries. Big deal? Well our electronics, autopilot, radar all need the power to run. We didn't want to turn back because Elba was now covered in dark clouds and giant lightening bolts. So we kept plugging away. We turned everything off but the nav lights and Charles worked some magic that gave us an intermittent charge.
As the waves got bigger, I got more seasick. Yes, I still get seasick. It happens to the most experienced sailors, although few admit it! I used my last perscription patch on the way to Pisa (anti seasickness medicine). So while I was suffering and Charles was sailing, the wind and waves kept picking up. All night long the waves tried to kick Gertrude's ass. Charles did a great job taking care of her. I decided I was better off below. Oh yes, some may call me chicken, but it's the first time I have ever cried becasue of pure fear. It just welled up and poured out.
We were going to hunker down in Civitavecchia, but there were 7 cruise ships lined up waiting to get in; with 15 foot waves we were not about to get in their way. The next marina was only 6 miles down. The enterance required us to go straight at the seawall until the very last minute where we turned to get into the harbor. This turn required us to go sideways to the 10 foot waves breaking at shore.
Of course as soon as we turned a set of 15 foot waves came through. Thanks be to God almighty there were only 3 of the bastards. As soon as the last one past Charles kicked the RPMs up to 3000 as we slid into the area blocked by the breakwall. Another wave would have pushed us into the rocks. We would have swallowed some saltwater, but Gertie would have been soggy toast.
I told Charles as soon as we docked at the fuel dock, "I am done babe." He knows not to ask me for a few days whether or not I am serious.
Now we are enjoying Roma!!! Its awesome. So many told us don't spend more than a day or two here. Craziness I tell you!
We meet my parents in a couple of days to travel up to Venice sin Gertrude. We were originally planning to travel to Naples with them on the boat, but there have been storms every night here. I don't think my mom would appreciate it...
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