2. Calvi to St Florent

 2. Corsica - West Coast

We sailed from Calvi to St Florent. A lazy soporific sail up the coast going North with little wind. Just enough for 4 knts.  The northern peninsula of Corsica is dotted with many small hillside hamlets (hameau) clinging to the mountainside some with tombs in precipitous positions. 

                                              Some more stylish than others

As we headed into the northern point of Corsica the hamlets changed 

 

We came out of our soporific states as a Katabatic wind hit us rather suddenly. But as soon as it comes it disappears as quickly leaving us wallowing in a lumpy sea without wind - so on goes the engine to reach Macinaggio and the bay with a good sandy bottom for the anchor overnight. Our last stop in Corsica.

Corsica sailing to Elba. First stop was Marciana Marina.

Our first stop in Elba is Marciana Marina - a small town with old houses dating to the time of Napoleon. Napoleon was captivated by the beauty of this little town. Now full of little restaurants and narrow alley ways with boutique shops but unspoilt. 

                                

Time for an aperitif !

Friday - We went by bus up to the old hill town above the marina - Marciana.  We found the bus stop by asking at the local pharmacy but she did not speak any english however a a woman broad scottish accent behind us told us where to go.The bus trip was "interesting" going up the windy roads. The driver was having to take the whole road when turning almost scrapping the side of the cliff.  Here was the Cabinova or chair lift or stand lift to the summit of Mount Capanne - 1000 metres above the harbour.

The lift consisted of a steel cage for two people standing. The view at the top was spectacular. We could see the whole of Elba and the other islands of the Tuscan Archipelago and the Italian mainland. 

The old hill town Marciana

                                                

                                                      Only room for one - just!

                                

On returning to Marciana we waited for the bus but no bus arrived to be told by the local pharmacist who came out of the pharmacy in his white coat the bus would only be in two hours and the walk was 4 km so he showed us a quick way to walk back to the marina. He showed us a trail through the woods down a steep slope.and Lesley was in her sandals. We started down the track only to find it petered out into impassable brambles so as we were scrambling around going nowhere it was back up to the road and the signpost said 9 Km! I put my thumb out and an old lady stopped in a rather ancient car and gave us a lift. Not a word in English but she kindly got us almost back to the marina but still a few kms walk. 

When we got back to the Marina we bumped into the Scottish lady again and she told us she has been on the island now for 40 years.  She came to the island on holiday when she was 21 and met a local man and married him. She said she missed Scotland.

Saturday morning we had an early start and anchored in a beautiful small bay where we will stay the night on anchor. Perhaps this is paradise. How many more paradises will we anchor in?

Magical bay