La Maddalena Islands could keep a cruising man happy for weeks with all its little anchorages. There is an anchorage suitable for shelter from all wind directions but this one off Ilse Budelli in the Northern group of islands is as good as any. I had a spanking down wind sail but to my horror the motor failed to even attempt to start when I rounded into what I thought would be an anchorage. Nothing for it but to exercise that dying art of anchoring under sail. As it turned out there were buoys laid and I was able to sail upto a buoy, in some ways a more complicated task as one's aim must be more accurate.

I was delighted therefore, when the deed was complete, to find Frank Singleton, weather guru and Cruising Association member, alongside. He had noted both the manoeuvre and the CA burgee and had come to say hello. He earned his beer!

On to Porto Cervo