43:17.75N 05:21.25E Marseille by boat

Ariel of Hamble
Jim and Valerie SHURVELL
Wed 26 May 2010 07:37


43:17.75N   05:21.25E   Marseille by boat

 

20th May, 2010.

 

The wind has dropped and we left Port de Bouc in search of some of the harbours we had seen from the train. Steve, who is use to being up very early, has been our bread man all week and today he excelled himself with three loaves from three shops. Excellent, all three.

After leaving Port de Bouc we headed out into the Golfe de Fos and passed the large container ships we saw on our way in.  We rounded Cap Couronne and very soon dropped the sails as we entered the cove of Carro for lunch.  8 people were swimming although the boat temperature gauge said it was around 16 degrees we decided we would watch them rather than join them.  Lovely little bay with small houses near the water and a restaurant or two on the beach.

We sailed along the coast to Redonne for afternoon tea.  We had stopped here on the train but from the station we could not appreciate the beautiful village below.  We nudged our way into the little harbour and we caused a few people to come and have a look at us from the harbour wall.  Even the 10 people who alighted from the train all appeared to stop and look over the wall to see us.

On one of the boats were two gannets mating with a second male trying to be included in the fun.  They were in beautiful condition and their markings were lovely.  They regularly flew off and returned letting everyone around know they were there with their noise. Not sure the sailor who owed the boat was going to be too pleased with the mess they had caused.

We saw one or two sunfish on the way into Marseille.

As it was our last night we cooked dinner and went for a walk along the harbour area enjoying the forts on either side of the entrance, Notre Dame and the other buildings all lit up.  To the east side of the harbour there are many restaurants and cafes that obviously attract the young and their premises were packed.

 

 


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