Subject: Libelle Update - 10 Sep 99 Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 17:51:57 +0000 From: allenyc@lsu.edu To: Charles Ramcharan , Woody Nero , Paul Herzog , Mathias Allen , Marcus Allen , Michael Ernst , Bayfield Yacht Club , "Rohde Deborah A." , G Kastorf , D Kerkhof , Lonna Temple , Nonlinear , Dan and Pat Miller , Milo Parker , Stan Smith , Max and Maureen , Wolfgang Holdik , Gerald Longenecker , JC Wacker , R Hannes Beinert , Gernot , Lorrna Knapp , "olive@itis.com" , Kathy Shurts , San Rotter , Mary and Walt , Mike and Ruth , Mariner's Cay , Dianne Paul , allenyc@lsu.edu, Werner Sykora , Wayne , Mary , Tom&Paula , Nancy Barthuly , Matt , Glen Miller , Bob Niemi , Erik Herzog , Venita Plazewski , Roland & Angella Greetings! I got a call from Rosi and Jim this morning. They are in Riposta (sp?), Sicily in the shadow (14 km east) of Mt. Etna. Rosi said that there is ash 1/4 - 1 inch (0.5-2.5 cm) thick everywhere. Apparently the ash is falling down like snow because Etna is quite active right now. They spent 3 nights in Syracuse (Siracusa) and had a wonderful time visiting the ruins and the markets. Sicily is much greener and more lush than Malta and Gozo - Rosi thought that this was due to the volcanic activity. They sailed about fourty miles yesterday (?) and had some thunderstorms and contrary winds, but they made fairly good time and they were looking forward to relaxing in Riposta. Things have been pretty wet and windy. They will leave for Reggio de Calabria tomorrow if the weather cooperates. They made some adjustment in plans and will now be meeting with Dan and Pat Miller in Milazzo, a small town in the northeast end of Sicily. They plan to visit with the Millers for a few days. After that they will continue on to Catania (north central coast of Sicily) where they will connect with Baerbel, a classmate of Rosi's from her physical therapist training days in Germany. If the original plan still holds after this, they will be heading out of the Med around 1 October. Well, that's about all I got from them this time. It was a very brief phone call. They were in very high spirits and seem to be enjoying themselves immensely. :-) I hope things continue on that way. Best to All and, of course, Alles Gouda, Yvonne