Blowing a Gale

Nestled in here in our winter haven, shopping and cooking, socialising, tinkering and wandering around the medina, you could almost forget you were living on a boat. Until the weather makes its presence felt, of course. It's now been blowing a gale for 48 hours, with winds 40 - 50 knots inside the marina and over 55 out at sea. Several tonnes of Libya, in the form of fine grit, is coating everything. One of our mooring lines snapped and we're temporarily tied up to the vacant boat next door, until divers can get to the line in the morning; and to make matters worse, all the floating plastic rubbish in the Bay of Hammamet seems to have been blown into a heap at our stern. We're rocking and rolling and the wind is blowing a full orchestra of noises through the mass of masts and rigging in the marina. Yes we're definitely living on a boat - I'm just glad we're safely tied up in here, not out there. Thanks to everyone who gave us the good advice to be in a safe harbour by November!

Mausoleum of Tunisia's first president, at sunset

One of the little things I really enjoy about travelling is the variety of amusing signs and brand names you see everywhere. China was a real treat with Pansy brand men's undies, a vile wine called "Enduring Pulchritude", the endearing little sign that greeted us on a low doorway each morning: "Look Out Knockhead!" and many many more. On this trip, after the slight disappointment that we didn't have time to anchor in El Fartass, I've really appreciated the coffee brands - just finished a pack of "Carrion" from Morocco and now we're into the Spanish with our morning "Bonka". I'll be a bit sorry when that's finished. The Tunisian pack looked promising with its flourish of Arabic script, but I'm told it just means "Grandmother".

The Ribat, visible from everywhere in Monastir. "The Life of Brian" was filmed here.

In good weather it's quite lovely here. I'll do a proper tourist blog shortly - and then it will be time to head home. Buying our tickets tomorrow!