We all knew that the design would excel to windward, but the downwind in gusts of 30 was going to test our experience. Should we leave the kite in the bag? When the foredeck crew decided to bring the kite on deck “just in case”, we knew we were going to fly it.

This week we’re sailing from Scilla,in Calabria to Sardinia via the Aeolian Islands. We talk about cruising apps, connectivity and what makes a good charter destination, and much more.

Episode Three- Crossing from Sardinia to Sicily, anchors, holding tanks and pistachio gelato.

This episode comes to you from TORRE DELLE STELLE - Tower of the Stars 15nm east of Cagliari on Sardinia.

WELCOME TO MATILDA RADIO a weekly podcast from two mad Australians who gave up living the norm to attempt to live the dream. This episode comes to you from the south coast of Sardinia, under the Roman ruins of NORA. Mark and Sal introduce you to MATILDA their 47 foot S&S Swan while chatting about their five year plan (or eight year, or two year...)

I walked up and down the quay at dusk with my camera trying to find the daily reality of fishing at Porto Pino — The techno music ridden tourist beaches are only a few hundred metres away, but the port has a different rhythm, that beats through the seasons, not just for the summer crowds.

We were the only visitors to the village and he and his wife are the only residents, having moved there from the central Sardinian mountains forty five years previously, to complete his national service. He never left. Despite it only being 1030 in the morning, Enrico offered us a chilled vermentino from a jug, and some delicious sweet biscuits.