Leaving Corsica for Marseille
Cap Corse
Having recovered from our ordeal after a good night’s sleep, and with the gales having blown themselves out, we decided to move to an anchorage on the east coast of Cap Corse (Baie de Tamarone) to do a few walks along the Sentier des Douaniers track. This time, the sailing was a bit more sedate with our Code D (our light wind sail) flying pretty much the whole way.
The anchorage at Baie de Tamarone.
Here, we were back in the more spectacular surroundings of northern Corsica with high mountains coming right to the coast, little villages dotted along their slopes, and fewer boats on the water (albeit still busy compared to Far North Queensland).
Views towards Réserve Naturelle des Îles du Cap Corse, with an old and ruined Genoese tower.
We spent a few days at this lovely spot swimming and hiking, as well as eating delicious John Dory at the local beach shack restaurant.
Sailing past the Réserve Naturelle des Îles du Cap Corse, to our last anchorage in Corsica.
Leaving Corsica
But all good things come to an end, and after six weeks of circumnavigating Corsica, it was sadly time to leave.
Sailing past Cap Corse, with more Genoese towers.
Another (unanticipated) visit to the Netherlands had to be made and time was slipping away if didn’t want to leave the Mediterranean too late; after the end of September south-westerly autumn storms can make crossing the Strait of Gibraltar uncomfortable and sometimes impassable for yachts for weeks on end.
More old Genoese towers at Cap Corse.
So, we hopped around Cap Corse to our last Corsican anchorage, Anse de Peraiola, and had a last swim in the crystal-clear, blue and warm waters of this island.
Close to a full moon at Anse de Peraiola, our last anchorage in Corsica.
The forecast for the next day suggested a good weather window for the 1.5 day trip back to Marseille, with 10-15kn from the NE/E, clear skies and close to a full moon – perfect conditions!
An unexpected hitchhiker along the way.
Unfortunately, forecasting future events is difficult and the passage back to Marseille ended up being one without any wind or swell what-so-ever, meaning we spent 34 hrs motoring and just one hr sailing – very frustrating, particularly given our expectations of an easy downwind run.
Sunrise along the Mediterranean coast.
To make up for this, we saw some dolphins (Risso dolphins this time) and a turtle, and David saw a submarine off Toulon, France’s main naval port in the Med. Even more spectacular, we got to see a total lunar eclipse from Yuma op zee!
Naval presence off Toulon, with the submarine (especially for Bart!) just visible in the photo on the right.
Back in Marseille
After 35 hrs, we made it back into the Vieux Port in Marseille, tied up Yuma, and treated ourselves to an ice cream at Vanille Noir, our favourite ice cream place.
Can you share the name of your preferred restaurant-glacerie place ?
Mais oui! Glacier Vanille Noire, 15 Rue Caisserie. Their pineapple and ginger sorbet is wonderful.
Marine Traffic tells me you are now in Salvadore, Brazil so you navigated the Atlantic crossing successfully (and safely I hope).
Yeah, we have been here in Bahia for a couple of weeks (and yes we know that we are behind with the blogs, but we are trying to catch up 🙂 ). The crossing was fun if not comfortable but that is life.