43 30.8N 007 02.6E

We have decided to return to base a few days earlier than planned as there are some stronger head winds forecast over the weekend and Kathryn comes out next Monday. So the pace is a bit quicker.

With gentle winds today though, we had to motor sail – it is certainly getting more like mid-summer now, the night time temperatures rarely dropping below 20 mark and in the late 20’s during the day and very hot out in the sun.

I was really delighted today when I spotted a turtle swimming by the boat – the first one I have ever seen in the Med. We have also been seeing a lot of dolphins around too. A pod of about twenty passed by about 100 metres from the boat today.

Having passed Monaco fairly well out to sea (such a contrast to most of the coastline with its high rise buildings set against the backdrop of the mountains),  we found ourselves mid-afternoon near Cannes and decided to anchor for the night between the two Islands (Ste Marguerite and Saint Honorat)  just off Cannes. The waters between the Islands are mainly sandy so beautifully clear. A swim was a must to cool off from the heat.

We were very grateful that we didn’t go into the marina at Cannes – today being the longest day the French, it appears, celebrate with music festivals everywhere. Cannes being no exception had music we could hear some four miles away with laser lights searching the sky well into the small hours.