Corsica 3

The named storm Deborah hit Corsica Wednesday night and when we left in the morning the wind was still really strong, the sea had big waves breaking over the rocks and it had turned very cold.  

So we headed off further down the west coast, past Ajaccio and into more hills.  Had hoped to visit the prehistoric site at Fitosi but closed until 1st April.  Anyway, stopped for coffee in the next village, Sollacaro, tiny café/bar and we brought the average age down!  Then headed for Bonifacio, stopping for picnic at Sartene which was much bigger and quite picturesque.

Finally arrived in Bonifacio, Chris did the last bit on his bike, despite the weather. Bonifacio is an old town up on a promontory and it was quite difficult to find our way around, especially as the wind blew and blew. Like a lot of these towns probably more photogenic from further away.

When we arrived at our next little bungalow near Porto Vecchio the owner said they had sleet this morning!  But she had put the heating on - hooray.

Then back up into the mountains heading for Bavella, stopping at Levie and Zonza before picnicking facing the famous Aiguilles de Bavella, a superb set of granite peaks.  

Back down to Porto Vecchio where parking was expensive, even on the streets.  The centre was quite pretty though, 

but just about everywhere closed and preparing for the season.

Today up the east coast pausing at Solenzara for coffee in the sun, then to visit the archaeological site at Aléria.  Not only was it open (surprise!) but really interesting, museum in the castle all about Etruscan burials 

and the Roman town, then a walk around the Roman site, followed by a picnic in the sun.  

A grand day out!  Now in Corte, the old capital of Corsica.

Corsica 2

We left our apartment in Saint Florent and headed west to Calvi to visit the citadel - more impressive from the outside than inside, but a great view.

Then a very long (and wiggly, of course) drive south along the coast to near Porto where we turned inland past Ota to see the gorges of the Lunca and Spelunca rivers - lovely colours in the granite.

It was 17 degrees down there but we climbed up through wonderful mountain scenery with snow on the tops

passing Evisa (another village perched on the mountainside) 

at 800 metres and topping out at 1100 metres and only 4 degrees!  We were quite relieved to reach our next apartment at Cargèse, back at sea level.

A quiet day visiting Piana, quite a pretty old town,

(Chris cycled) which had amazing views over both the coast and the mountains.  The calanques ( the cliffs reefs) are UNESCO heritage - beautiful colours.

Went down,  very steeply, to the small beach below where we sat in the sun.  

Back to Cargèse to visit the churches, one Catholic, one Greek facing each other, which had been recently painted with huge murals inside.

Wednesday to Ajaccio, lots of traffic so did the park and ride.  Lots of places still closed or getting ready for the season but we went to the citadel, then lunch, then Napoleon's house - very interesting. A load of history that we don't know!  No photos today.  Heading south tomorrow.

Corsica 1

The overnight ferry let us off at 7:30 so we had a full day which we spent exploring the northern finger stopping for coffee at Erbalunga before arriving in our apartment at Saint Florent.  Roads very wiggly but amazing views! 

Saint Florent hás a pretty harbour and an old citadel - nice old town.

A morning drive around local villages to visit the multicoloured church at Murato,

sadly shut, where the actual village was very interesting - stone houses and roofs, picturesque

(the coffee was awful! ) Some very skinny roads, barely out of second gear. Chris cycled to Nonza in the afternoon which we had briefly visited yesterday - really pretty church.

Next day to Isle Rousse and some interesting villages perched on hillsides or rocky crags 

in the hills around including Pigna, Sant' Antonino, a lovely church at Muro

then Speloncato and finally Belgodère. More very wiggly roads and speedy drivers!

Heading to Corsica more pics

Inside la citée radieuse 

In Aubagne 

La route des crêtes 

And horses 

Heading to Corsica

Judy wanted to get away for a bit and chose Corsica as neither of us had ever been and it's not too busy in March (we hope).  First day as far as Montpellier where we saw the sights, not totally impressed.  

Then on to Marseille with first stop at Aigues-Mortes, a huge fortified town dating from Louis IX but still in amazing condition.  

Through the Camargue (saw some of the famous horses) to our second stop at Arles with its superb Roman amphitheatre and theatre - loved it! 

Finally arrived at Marseille where driving is a free-for-all, makes the Italians look calm! 

Our day at Marseille was great but cool and very windy.  A great historical museum then metro, tram and bus ending up for a guided tour of La Cité Radieuse, designed by Le Corbusier - fascinating.

Next day off to Toulon to catch the ferry to Corsica but stopping at Aubagne, the birthplace of Marcel Pagnol.  The countryside is just how we imagined it.  A lovely but very wiggly drive along the cliffs from Cassis where the restaurants were heaving.  Eventually got to our ferry through endless traffic jams.

More pics in another post.

Last bit of Tas, Judy's pics

Mostly the botanic gardens 

Last days in Tasmania

Wandered the streets of Hobart past historic (for Australia) buildings 

stopping at Salamanca market.  Then had a great Nepalese thali for lunch before walking along the Hobart Rivulet to try and spot a platypus - see the separate post.

The botanic gardens were really pretty and interesting as our final visit.  They even had a Japanese garden - see Judy's pics...

...and a Monet pond and bridge.

Leaving tomorrow for Sydney where we have to stay overnight before the long journey home.  

Back on Wednesday if all goes well.  It'll feel very strange for a bit!!!