It has been raining for 11 days now and our spirits could really use some Vitamin D. Things are damp, there is a red film of dust on all the outside surfaces, and these pesky small bugs have claimed the cockpit home. There are three types of dust: the red dust of Italy blown in from the Sahara desert, Africa; the gray dust in France from the north; and the fiber/linen dust inside from linens and life. The first dust is very fine and makes a pink stain on surfaces. The gray dust is thicker and when wet is like the clay used on the potter’s wheel. The last is just is the dust in your home; it’s everywhere.

(05/21, 05/22) We have made it to Anzio but decided to drop anchor at Nettuno, its neighbor. The Anzio/Nettuno area is thick with history from WWII. Old forts, castles, caverns, look-out posts and even goats can be seen while traveling the coastline. Situated on the Tyrrhenian sea, Nettuno is the home to the historical Baronial Palace, Torre Astura, and the San Gallo Fortress castle. Its marina is in walking distance to a quaint medieval quarter, right on the water offering fun bars and restaurants.

We visited and found the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial to be quite moving. This is a 77 acre, beautifully landscaped cemetery honoring 7,858 fallen American soldiers who died for the liberation of Sicily. The white marble walls of the chapel are engraved with the names of 3,095 missing persons, reminding us of the walls in Pearl Harbor.

The cemetery.

We enjoyed our time here and now have visited both Anzio and Nettuno. We had a great day with the the sun shining, slowly exploring, and provisioning. We certainly get the strangest looks when we enter a market with a wagon and then walk down narrow side streets back to the marina with a fully loaded cart! Our day of sun and joy ended with a thunderstorm. The trek back to the boat in a cold wet dinghy was less than enjoyable.

Tomorrow we’re off to Ponza!