Hermione Does ...: Hermy Does Corsica

No. Roller reefing systems shouldn't unscrew the forestay! This could be a serious problem and no doubt highly expensive. So brother's sailing is cut short by a day to hoof it back to Cecina in order to see if we can get it looked at and perhaps get a rigger to check the forestay.

Now the trouble with the Italian language is that I don't understand it. A google search shows a rigger in Cecina. Great. After several calls to a mobile which changes from unobtainable to engaged with no answer phone facility we take the Bromptons by the horns and Tony and I decide to find the office. Face to face is what you need. It can only be four or five miles away.

Anyway after circling several industrial estates on the outskirts of Cecina for what felt like forty miles, we finally find the place. It's all locked up. There is a sign which seems to say please leave all post with the guy next door. Nothing else.

We draw the conclusion they are on holiday. Knackered, we cycle home.

On a whim, but as originally suggested by Mrs K, we wander over to the yard at the marina where I meet a very nice Itallian Cantiere.

" Do you speak English?"

"No! French, German and Spanish."

I shy away from the 'what were you thinking' thought and suddenly realise that the older brother speaks Spanish. They banter on describing my problem with very little technical help from me and we come to an agreement that he will come and take a look in half an hour.

Sure enough an hour later he turns up with a couple of mates and have a jolly good look. Luckily one of his mates had better language choice advice then he did and spoke good English.

Put simply they fixed the system by replacing a screw and checked the forestay which was sound.

They also carted off the foresail for a quick repair too. Quick, well a day later than they said but very reasonably priced. Cecina Cantiers are tip top.

It was time to return the old brother to civilisation. He had stood up well to the rigours of sailing, cycling,swimming, drinking and eating, for a cubicle dweller. He caught the train to Rome an hour before son and girlfriend arrived by train from Antibes.

We retraced our steps to Elba via a lunch stop at Barratti and dropped the anchor in Port Azzurro for the second time. The following day we visit the town, shop, fuel up and prepare for our run to Corsica a 32 nautical mile hop across the Corsica channel if we leave from the edge of the island, a small anchorage called Barbatoia. A slightly rocky night at Barbatoia.

Then a lovely sail over.

Fore sail working perfectly.

Straight in to Bastia old harbour arranged by our on board interpreter, Chloe.

Bastia is a very pretty harbour lined with pastel coloured shops and buildings.

It has a Bastion on the hill hence the name and proper baguettes. It's good to be back in France.

Unfortunately Chloe has to leave us via a Ferry to Nice. University calls.

We decide to explore the East coast of Cap Corse. Son brings his usual different dimension to the proceedings.

This is what happens if you study physics at university!

The water seems clearer and we anchor for the night at Erbelunga a small village half way up the peninsula.

We had noticed the odd jellyfish and son managed to run in to one leaving a superb imprint of itself on his shoulder.

Jelly fish body art!

Next stop Luri Marina which has a boat length limit of 12 metres and Hermy draws some attention as we slide in to the tiny harbour at 11.5 metres.

In order to fulfil sons fishing needs we make several trips to a little shop which follows in the strong French tradition, of not opening, until finally it does open just before we leave. Joey managed to catch a good size bream using an over sized hook and bait he caught in the harbour. Dogged determination brings home the bacon.