Bit of Culture

We entered the river Arno which has easy access for Pisa and Florence – Culture time!

Strange marina – freaked Leighton a bit as it was reminiscent of the canals, we were welcomed and given some delicious fresh figs by the owners mother and invited to pick more. Next day we caught the bus right outside the marina to Pisa – a quiet city until you reached the leaning tower and surrounds –WOW!

We made it to the top, both of us felt a bit heady with the angle and of course beautiful views. A lovely lunch in a typical side street trattoria all the courses delivered at once – but very tasty.

Next day off to Florence catching a bus to Pisa again then an hour on the train, what a breath taking cathedral very vibrant city – lots of activity and of course gorgeous shops Leighton bought an ice cream 5 euros! But wow it was delicious.

Another gorgeous lunch in a restaurant overlooking the river Arno and the Ponte Vecchio, more leisurely but equally delicious.

Said hello to David while we were there (well his copy in the piazza) – very hot both sightseeing days and not a beach in sight…

Left the river the next day apparently locals were catching barracuda!! Sailed over to the island of Capraia where we anchored for the night breaking up the distance to Corsica.

Started the day with the cruising chute up – lovely wind building to 20kts so we arrived earlier than planned. Luckily Macinaggio was a reasonably priced marina as the next forecast was for gale force westerly winds and we need settled weather to round Cap Corse which has a bit of a bit bad reputation so we decided to stay put.

Next forecast was westerly force 12 hummm… extra ropes – rubber bungy things fitted etc.. Wind reached about 50kts or so, caught up with a few jobs and had a few coffees on terra firma… Several boats tried to find refuge in the marina but the wind was too strong to moor up so had to anchor outside – couldn’t have been pleasant.

A few days being very lazy, watched some films in the evenings tidied, cleaned and relaxed during the day. A meal out the… fish soup was the best – the rest of the meal a bit of a disappointment – French it is France it’s not – haha. The forecast was for a few days of good weather then strong westerlies again – made the decision not to cruise down the west coast this year which is the preferred direction using the prevailing winds and to go down the east coast which will be sheltered.

Wind abated as forecast so off we go – slight breeze so sailed gently along towing some fishing lines – note the terminology not fishing as we never seem to catch any, stopped in a small cove off Erbalunga but too rolly to stay overnight so off again to Port de Toga Bastia quite expensive there so anchored nearby in a good sandy bay we noticed on the way down- bit of swell but OK.

Next day off to Port Taverna, motored for a while then a good sail beating up to the marina.

High winds forecast again so planned to stay a few days – a huge beach next to the marina. Cloudy with some rain next day! Well we were going to the beach and Al did the washing!! Bound to rain then…. We had calm seas but again other areas didn’t, cycled to a beach through an old railway line – very rough but lovely not being on the main road – local shop on the way so bought some basic provisions which they tried to charge double for!!

The wind never really materialised here but when the pontoon filled we heard from others in the wind in Bastia about 20 miles away had 27kts we had a mill pool! Later a 50ft catamaran came in from Bastia with all aboard a little shaken up, apparently they were anchored just north of Port de Toga and had winds of 70kts their windlass “exploded” and they had to cut and run leaving anchor and all behind……..

We have at last found a yard to take Zig out the water for the winter it’s about 180 miles away in Sardinia recommended by liveaboards and close to a Ryanair served airport.

Off to Solenzara a pleasant little town with a few shops and restaurants swam from the beach next door.

Next stop Golfe de san Ciprianu a good sail 9kts on the quarter – a quite sheltered bay with the most amazing crystal clear water – we were in 3 meters but it seemed we were sitting on the bottom, Leighton snorkelled down and we really did have over a meter underneath us.

In the morning we had a quick motor around the point to Porto Veccchio 3hrs free on the quay so up a very steep hill to the walled city – very impressive did some browsing (someone was hoping to buy someone’s birthday prezzie) & then E.Lecerc our first and probably last this year. As the marina had a shopping trolley park we pushed back in 30 degrees heat – not recommended!! Porto Vecchio is a very pretty looking town both in and looking at from the sea. We anchored off and had a swim, Leighton tried his hand at fishing with prawn heads as bait he could watch the fish nibble and then they would dart away he did catch one but we decided it was too small to keep – it was lucky.

Next morning we had 3 porpoises/dolphins (jury’s out on this one) swimming around during breakfast and now again just of the bathing platform as I’m writing this.

We have a few more miles of the Corsican coast left then over to Sardinia.

Wow we are up to date….. A first!!!!!!