64.Corsica back to Cavalaire sur mer

 64. Corsica back to Cavalaire sur mer

The weather forecast indicated good weather for crossing on Sunday and Monday so we made our way up the West coast of Corsica to anchor in a lovely small bay with calm sea ready to make the crossing early the next morning. We had a beautiful swim in this idyllic bay with clear water and sandy seabed. We then had an early night. 

An Idyllic Bay

Unfortunately the dreaded swell started around the headland at about midnight and we had another rocky night with little sleep. At 06.00 hrs we headed off across the Ligurian Sea for Cavalaire sur Mer our home port in France. For the first part of the journey we had to use the engine to help the sails as although the wind direction was at a favourable 60 deg it was not strong enough to keep the speed sufficient with only the sails. 

We were about 30 Nm off the Corsican coast when Lesley saw a plane flying towards us about 100 metres above the sea. It was a private jet possibly an 8 seater plane flying directly at us. We thought it was in trouble or distress and about to land on the sea. But as it reached us it banked away towards Corsica. What was that about! 

With this crossing we saw only a fleeting visit from dolphins and very few ships. We were alone on the sea and with little wind. 

However about half way across the wind suddenly increased to a comfortable 13 to 14 knots and we sped along into the night. Dalliance 3 was in her element she was like a thoroughbred knowing she was galloping home and the sail was exhilarating for us even thought we were tired. We had to change course at one point thanks to a cruise liner on a collision course but we were sailing as fast as Dalliance could go. We reached Cavalaire at 01.00 hrs on Monday morning very tired but very satisfied. The end of this cruise. I wonder where we will head for the next cruise?