We seem to be in rather more typical Mediteranean weather now….all or nothing which is what we expected really. It would just be nice to have something in between a wee bit more often. The prevailing winds here are North, North West so we are straight into it a lot of the time and when the Mistral blows, it blows! On the plus side, the West coast of Corsica is far more interesting with more places to see.
So far we are not disapointed, it is lovely, very green, mountainous and very remote, only a very small percentage of the island is inhabited, the population is 320,000 and most of them are in Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica and Bastia.
Incidentally, Corsica has the highest crime and murder rate in Western Europe, including the inner-city streets of Naples or London. Hard to believe such a beautiful Island, nicknamed the “Isle of Beauty” is plagued by violent crime committted by organised gangsters heavily engaged in protection rackets and Corsican seperatist activities.
Anyway, back to the Corsica we see .
An early start from Porto Pollo.
Approching Ajaccio
We arrived in Ajaccio on a Sunday and the Capitainerie of the marina we went to is closed on Sunday’s so it’s a free for all as to which berth you take. After circling unsucessfuly for about a half hour looking we were helpfully directed to a small space which we were advised was free – but you’ve guesssed – it turned out to be someone elses. On their return later that day we had to up sticks and move. Gordon nicknamed the woman Madame Defarge as she was beside herself shouting C’est ma place ! , C’est ma place !, says he could see her sitiing knitting at the guillotine. Thankfully her husband was more understanding ,lol.
Marina and bike park, brilliant
The marina itself, Charles Arnano was nothing great, showers & facilities were shut so we transferred the following morning to the old port marina, Tino Rossi which was closer to the town and handier for everything.
The town has a bit of a buzz to it, lots of restaurants and bars, a beach and lots of statues and monuments of Napoleon Bonopart, you wouldn’t forget he was born here, that’s for sure. We had to go and have a look at the house where he was born in 1769 and lived with his family until they were all expelled by Pascal Paoli. The Maison Bonopart is now a museum displaying family heirlooms.
The streets and buildings are very picturesque ,older parts
and more modern
The Feche museum created by one of Napolian’s uncles, and one of its exhibits.
