Oldies On Tour

Wednesday 20th September

After a good visit, especially catching up with lots of Nanny//Elton bonding, and not to forget the bonus, sailing, it was time to leave.   We had to continue our journey whilst Andrew and his skipper had to prepare the boat prior to sailing her back to England for the usual winter servicing and repairs after the chartering season.

We hit the road, destination Valence to meet the broker tomorrow morning and view this “Cotter”, a 12.85m Dutch Steel Cruiser, a purpose built coastal and inland waterway vessel.  This was a relative short trip so there was no rush in leaving and therefore a few stops along the way was fine.  Christine had found a nice-looking overnight stop within a km of the marina but had limited places, still we will be there early afternoon.

After a pleasant drive in the sunshine we arrived as planned only to find the chosen site was already full up, 👹,  OK, let’s find the marina as they may have parking but no, there was a big sign with numerous “rules and regulations”, one of which was no “camping cars” (motorhomes), so off we trundled but about 1/2 a mile along this narrow one way lane we found a car park adjacent to the river with much “dog walking” terrain, “bingo”, in we went, selected our spot and settled in for the rest of the afternoon and night; good job we did as during the following hour or so the park was full of motorhomes, obviously a known “overnighter”.   Even though it was full they still kept coming and a couple tried to squeeze in alongside us; totally impossible as there was a lamp post and a kerb but one determined “German”, in a Concords, and they’re very, very big was determined and by now we were beginning to panic, firstly for the safety of Rosie and secondly we wouldn’t manage to open our doors so got out with Tom-Tom and Rosie looking veryannoyed; that did it and they went!!!!

Later in the afternoon Christine went for a walk to check we could get into the marina easily and how long it would take and the pooches had a good run around, but later they paid the price, they were both covered in “burrs”, so Christine set about picking them out as a brush wouldn’t touch them.

Apart from our parking place being full it was very quiet so settled down for a good nights sleep 🤞🤞

Tuesday 19th September 2023

We have a busy day today, well Christine did!!!!!   There was all our washing; leaving the moment we arrived didn’t help!!  We also needed to change the beds, and have a general clear-up before heading out to Spain tomorrow, however; one of our constant hobbies is looking at boats for sale and dreaming, and having just spent 3-days/2-nights on one our thoughts got the better of us and we arranged to go and see one in Valence, a town on the Rhone; quite out of our way, in fact heading North!!!   Our mutual dream has been to travel the canals and rivers of Europe and this is such a boat!!!   We made contact with the broker and arranged to meet up with the vendors in Valence; they would stop so we could have a look at her.  The current owners are returning from the “Canal du Midi”, up the Rhône and heading to Burgundy; at least we know she is floats!!!!

At Lunchtime Andrew headed off to meet some friends at the airport, “Sophie and Janet, we just carried on regardless, including baby sit Elton and two dogs!!!   Sophie is an old family friend and Janet is Sophie’s friend, they had come out for some late summer sun.

Andrew has also employed a young lady to help with Elton and generally help around the house, the bonus for Christine was she did our ironing, what a result!!!   This is a fill-in position for her as she is trying to get onto a yacht having completed her hostess course; she has fallen on her feet here me thinks!!!

This evening the two ladies, Christine and I took Andrew and Elton out to dinner, he chose a restaurant on the quayside of this “huge” marina here in Frejus and it was excellent food; this is France after all!!   The evening was “stretching” out, so Andrew withdrew with Elton leaving us to finish up.   Tonight Sophie and Janet are sleeping on the boat so were picked up in the tender while we headed to find a taxi: taxi, what taxi!!!   Eventually we contacted Elton XL’s skipper and asked him to come back with the keys for the boat’s pickup truck that he had parked in the marina so we could get home.   Christine elected to drive but struggled with this “beast” with a manual gearbox so we compromised, she dit the pedals and steering whilst I sorted the gears out; we got home without incident!!!!!  Everyone was in bed🤠🤠🤠

Monday 18th September 2013

During the night the wind got up so Louis stayed up and did anchor watch whilst the rest of the crew hit the sac as they had decided to leave soon after 0500hrs hoping to get back in daylight.

We were away around 0600hrs but alas the wind that came late last night had “blown-out” by morning so back on engine, this will make it a long journey😡😡, still it was a lovely day!!

We soon lost site of Corsica as we headed to Frejus, about a 100-miles away but at 7 to 7.5 knots it would be dark, but about 2hrs into the journey we found some wind.    No time was lost, the skipper issued the order and out went the main and jib, and immediately we picked up speed, cruising around 11 to 12 knots, touching 13+ at times; our ETA became earlier.

Though we had sufficient wind to power this massive craft, we were lucky with the “sea state” it was moderately calm and she sailed nicely with about 35-degrees of heel.   This wasn’t a problem for anyone including Elton; he thrived on the adventure. 

We arrived around 1830hrs, dropped the sails and anchored about 100-meters outside the port entrance, jumped in the tender and headed to the quayside.   Unlike the first two hours, the rest of the time we made good progress to get back on schedule.   Though we were back in the house in time to cook dinner, we had a rather interesting welcome; the dogs had decimated a number of things whilst we were away and spread everything around the pool area, a herd of elephants couldn’t have made more of a mess!!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend and even the Friday night paled into insignificance, thank you Andrew for arranging this passage whilst we were staying with you, we had a fabulous time.

Sunday 18th September

After a “comfortable” and “enjoyable” nights sleep on anchor, we were ready to face the world so at a reasonable time we hoisted the anchor and set off.    Our plan was to head north making for the “National park”, an area of special sea grasses with the accompanying sea life below the water but first we have to get there.   Again we were on engine due to lack of wind, let’s hope we have wind tomorrow when we head to Frejus.

The scenery was much like yesterday, though by early afternoon it became more dramatic, and more colourful, the cliffs were steeper and there were many caves dotted about.   As we approached the “Regional National Park of Corsica”, a world heritage site, we started to “hover”, looking to anchor, when the skipper became aware of a speedboat fast approaching with a warden telling us “You Can’t Stop There”.    We moved on as the speedboat left, but once out of site we stopped anyway, obviously it was OK here as we didn’t see the warden again. 

Bathing platform lowered and we were in the sea; today it seemed much warmer so stayed in longer.   Christine did a little snorkelling but her equipment wasn’t quite right so soon stopped.    Today the boys went off to explore some of the caves that were about in this bay.  Sitting on board gazing up onto the cliffs we were amazed to see a green film covering on the rugged rocks, it looked like moss or something similar, perhaps this is what causes the sea grass to grow so vigorously and attract so much marine life, hence the “National Park”. Once all-aboard we headed of, our destination was “Marine de Porto”, a couple of miles further along the coast.

Naturally we couldn’t get into the harbour so anchored away from the entrance.  Tonight we’re heading out to eat.   Christine, Louis and myself were the first boatload and the first thing that struck us were the numerous ribs, small passenger boats and even a semi-submarine moored out in lines across the harbour.   This place has been built up with the tourists visiting all the wonders of the area, everywhere you look there are restaurants and “booths” selling excursions, and oh yes, one small convenience small supermarket.  There was also a hotel on the quayside with a rather nice looking restaurant and a decent fish menu, so the three of us settled for that.   The rest of the crew also came ashore but had somewhere else in mind to go.   Andrew stayed on board with Elton who had already eaten.

We had an excellent meal with copious amounts of locally produced superb wines, and completed with a few Jack Daniels; we were ready to be collected.   On our way back we were surprised how many other boats were now anchored in this “Gulf of Porto”, obviously a regular anchorage.

Back on board, Louis and I had a few more nightcaps and the crew joined us and some “sea-yarns” were exchanged before heading to bed: tomorrow we head to Frejus, 100 miles away, we just hope the weather forecast is right and we will have wind!!!!!

Saturday 17th September 2023

We arrived in the port town of Ajaccio around 0800hrs, hot, sticky, smelly and tired; a cabin with 5 is not recommended.  To make matters worse, there was no AirCon ventilation and it was an inside cabin, still we were better off than those sleeping in the corridors: I think??   Probably the only good things about the trip was last nights meal and  how calm the sea was.

We were first off the ferry, couldn’t wait, and headed to the marina and whilst waiting for the tender to arrive,  grabbed some breakfast.   

“Elton”(the name of the yacht) was at anchor about 100 meters outside the port entrance and surprisingly we managed to get the five of us with our bags and pushchair plus the skipper into the dingy, but we were lucky with the sea state.    Once aboard and settled in we weighed anchor and the plan was:-  well no real plan other than get the boat back to Frejus by Monday night.
Andrew and Christine went into town to get victuals, and a wander around, whilst the crew filled boat up with water.

We headed north along the west side of the island passing stunning and dramatic rock formations and a very barren landscape; no habitation though we did pass a few beautiful, tucked away coves with lovely sandy beaches.  With Elton XL being 120ft, we couldn’t stop in them, they were too small but eventually we found one large enough where we had a swim off the boat in the Christal clear water, though a little on the chilly side.  This was probably due to the fact we were so hot, the sun has been relentless and no wind to cool us down.  
Whilst at Anchor the boys got the “toys” out and they all went water skiing , paddle boarding and wake surfing.  By the time these activities had finished it was late so stayed the night here on anchor.

Friday 16th September 2023

Nothing planned for today other than a swim, a walk and tonight an overnight ferry to Corsica, but first feed the dogs and ourselves.

Andrew took us up to the top of one of a local mountain for a walk and a observation spot to admire the views overlooking the clear, blue  Mediterranean.   The walk for me was too much so I stayed with the car and chatted with several cyclists who had just cycled up this mountain, albeit with electric bikes!!!   

Early evening we headed to Toulon to catch the overnight ferry to Corsica, we knew we had tickets but only one cabin; there were 4-adults and a 2+ year old!!!

The port looked very organised for cars but for foot passengers, that was a different matter. We walked the the length of the ship to get to the terminal and when called, we had to walk all the way back; oh no, it would have been “too” easy to go direct!!!   The one good thing is the escalator on board, no queuing for the lift or no stairs to climb!!!

The first port of call was the Purser’s office to get a second cabin; no chance, fully booked🥵; OK dump the bags, have a meal with a “fair” amount of alcohol and hopefully we may get some sleep!!!!!   

The restaurant food was excellent but the service was woeful; lots of chiefs but few Indians  so the simplest request took for ever to get resolved.

After the nice food and walking back to our cabin we passed numerous people sleeping on the floor, in passageways and any other “nook or cranny” they could curl up in.   Apparently this is the norm!!!!

Fortunately Andrew had booked a de-lux cabin, well in name that is, though it had slightly more floor space “we think🤔”,   The night started with Elton on the floor next to Christine, Andrew and ion the bottom bunks and Louis on the top.   What I hadn’t realised when we finally got into the cabin after a couple of bottles of wine and a couple of Cognacs later that  it was an inside cabin with no air-con, wow it was hot, stuffy and smelly.   There was a change round of sleeping arrangements during the night, Christine swapped with Andrew after Elton woke up.    

It was going to be a long night!!!