29th May to 5th June After David, Doug and Andy jumped ship on Friday morning, Helen and I headed back to Lipari. Helen’s cruise started with a beat into 16 to 18 knots so it was quite a lively (but exhilarating) sail. We then continued to Salina and liked it so much we stayed 3 days! Great restaurants! But also as we’d arranged to meet friends Phil and Caroline (from Provence) there. They were cruising on another boat and we persuaded them to visit Salina. Great to catch up with them. Phil has sailed on ALMA several times and we’re both Endeavour sailors (the replica of Cook’s ship) (and fans of everything nautical/historical so have endless chats!). Next stop Filcudi - second most westerly of the Aeolian islands. Not much happening on Filicudi. Main attraction is the remains of a bronze age village. Didn’t appear as if much has happened since but if you wanted somewhere extremely quiet to hide away this might be just the place. Panarea is a significant contrast - equally attractive island but with much more life. The next Capri some say (well residents of Panarea). But apparently the wealthy escape from Milan and rome to relax in their villas on Panarea. And it is quite chic with some very good restaurants but yet delightfully retains its relaxed and unspoilt feel.