Sardinia in May Day 5 Beaches Porto Taverna and Cala Finanza

It's Sunday, always a dilemma for a slow traveller seeking to avoid crowds so we go out quite early and drive about 7 minutes to Porto Taverna beach. We nearly stayed in the campsite nearby so we are especially curious about the beach. We park the opposite end near the Tavernetta restaurant. There's limited free parking off the road a couple of minutes from the beach.

Once on the beach, to the right, is an area where there are some trees providing shade and we set up there and then go for a walk all along the beach. The sea is transparent and the beach is moderately walkable, shallow near the shore in some places but not all along, so back at base we discover we have chosen a popular stretch. The beach as a whole is not crowded but that bit is, families with infants in particular. We resist a while and then go home for lunch. I'm making bombette but have no toothpicks so Andrea has the admirable idea of using Myrtle twigs - much more scenographic too.

After lunch we eventually venture out. Another very short car trip to the free again car park by the port of Cala Finanza. Here, paths through the Mediterranean undergrowth lead to tiny shingle coves among the rocks. We choose one sheltered from the wind and empty. The view of Tavolara and the boats and yachts speeding to and fro is more than enough to keep me busy together with the sound of the wind and the waves lapping softly on the shingle and gurgling around the rocks. We linger until it starts to get cool at past six o'clock. A relaxing day.