and across to Corsica

Arriving in Port de Rondinara

Tunisian textiles for sale!

With gale force winds forecast for later in the day we got up at 5.30 to make an early start across the Bonifacio Straits. We had a fast and bumpy crossing but were soon in the lee of the Lavezzi islands and we enjoyed a nice flat sail for the rest of the way to Port de Rondinara, south eastern Corsica, a stunning bay where we dropped the anchor in crystal clear water. We enjoyed swimming and snorkelling and even managed to make a start at removing the barnacles and wireworm that had attached themselves to our hull over the winter. Next stop was Porto Vecchio harbour situated at the southern end of a wonderful bay. We anchored east of the commercial harbour and dinghied over to the marina. We walked up to the old Genoese walled town on the hilltop which was frequented by the beautiful  "in crowd" enjoying the exclusive shops. It is often dubbed the Corsican St Tropez. We even spied some of the beautiful handwoven Tunisian textiles for sale at over five times the price they were in Monastir! On our way back down we found a huge supermarket just north of the marina and stocked up with some French treats.

At anchor in Port de Rondinara

Porto Vecchio haute ville from the anchorage

We planned on sailing up to Elba next but were delayed for a couple days waiting for some favourable winds. Instead we motored up to the top of the bay and spent a night at Baie de Stagnolo before returning south to the harbour. Thanks to a Brit popping over in his dinghy to say hello we discovered that in France most marinas and harbours offer a free 4 hour berth, quai d'accueil, for provisioning, taking on water etc. We checked with the marina and yes they confirmed that we could come in anytime between 10am and 3pm. The day before leaving for Elba we took advantage of the free berth, filled up with water, did some more shopping and even had a proper shower!

Porto Vecchio bay from the haute ville