Beach Bums

Marseille was our next stop –wow what a city, old and new all interspersed and a good shopping centre including a dear old Lidl – so a top up of groceries and a lovely restaurant meal.

We sailed on to the calanques and were a bit disappointed to find most of them were partitioned off only allowing boats to anchor in a small area, OK for lunch but we thought too restrictive for overnight – so on to Port Miou which is a managed calanque port. We watched the youngsters tomb-stoning off the cliff – luckily quite a distance from the boat. 2kgs of Ice for 20cents G&T’s tonight I think!! We left the boat each day using the dinghy going around the corner & beyond to the prettiest calanque en Vau and enjoyed swimming and snorkelling in beautiful crystal clear water.. The journey by dinghy was quite an adventure! Dodging the numerous tripper boats and their wash – several dowsing’s of Al much to someone’s amusement (suppose the screams did echo a bit).

A cracking sail back to Marseille (30kts wind) to ready the boat for our daughter Shez, forward cabin becomes more of a store than a cosy berth. Very hot in port mid 30’s but due to change before she arrives. Lovely to see her and after a meal out (thanks to Mum) we left the next day to Iles du Frioul – snorkel and a swim. Weather report says the dear old Mistral is returning strong enough that even the ferries may stop running, so next day back to Marseille with the wind already picking up with Shez at the helm..

Only berth available was not the best being exposed to the NW chop – lovely few days though with Shez shopping/sightseeing and a trip to Cassis where the sea temp was only 15degrees ! needless to say only Leighton swam.

Unwelcome visitor at 4.30am !!! Due to it being quite rough in harbour we had pulled Zigzag away from the pontoon which meant our intruder had to leap onboard – the sound of him landing on the bathing platform waking us with a start. Al could see him through the cabin window and gave him a few choice words frightening both him and Leighton. By the time Leighton made it to the cockpit there was no sign of him.. phew…

Said Au revoir to Shez then next day off to Sanary Sur Mer 10knts of wind dying to 4 so on with the motor ha – can’t win with the wind but lovely & hot again.

Entering Sanary Al called the capitain of the port on the VHF for a berth, but it was too late in the day, so tied up alongside a huge catamaran , the crew apologising they were going to have a party later – Al was quite disappointed when we were shown to a berth by the security guard later. A pretty little town – food quite expensive so minimal purchases. The youngsters were jousting from boats entertaining all around many whoops and cheers.

Allowed to stay 2 nights only here so off to Ile de Porquerolles past Toulon part of the Iles D’Hyeres another fast sail with 32knts behind us which was great, but not so great when you then have to med moor to the quay but luckily there were plenty of willing hands from fellow boaties, one I thought looked rather like Rod Stewart haha – but note we were now surrounded by superyachts one of which was called Snapper according to Mr google is owned by Eddie Jordan which you could charter for £125,000 pw (2007 prices) couldn’t see who was on it though.

After a few days cycling and beaching we moved to the next 2 islands – lovely idyllic anchorage but some days had patches of jellyfish, we walked the length of Ile de Port-Cros 3.5 hours in sweltering heat, very hard work but very different scenery with wild thyme, rosemary growing profusely – a lovely scent. Loathe to leave (as usual) but we needed water and revictualling so off to Lavandou.

Flat mirror like sea no wind so motored. Your allowed 2 hours free in the marina so shopped and filled the water tank bought some petrol for the outboard did some washing and on again – had some light wind so tried our luck at fishing ha (dangled our lines in the water and towed them for a bit) no fish!

Saw a pretty bay called anse de Cavallaire, where we anchored behind the headland offering good protection from 3 points of the compass, lovely sandy beach and short walk to town where we found some WiFi. Well beach bums for sure – snorkelling, swimming and a lovely beach cafe – disappointed we could only eat on the beach tables as the restaurant was fully booked all week, Langoust & spaghetti was only 150 euros a kilo – needless to say we stuck to the snack list. Was fun to watch people off the super yachts coming into the restaurant next to us, some looked like they expected to be recognised (lost cause for us I’m afraid) apparently it’s patronised by the French PM, royalty (while we there) and of course millionaires….. oh and us!!!!

Have made a decision at last that we won’t be further than Nice for when Sheryl and hopefully Jake visit in August. (now discovered Jakes passport has expired –sadly Jake won’t be coming ) Well it’s been 3 weeks and we’re still at the same anchorage just off the beach, think we are developing gills. Lavandou is great little tourist town with plenty of facilities and attractions – fireworks Leighton’s favourite, they also had a Christmas parade decked the town in Christmas lights & trees, mulled wine etc oh and more fireworks….

And of course it snowed !!

 

Next stop St Tropez.