The last week we have been doing various things.

 

Last Thursday we went out to Port Mann with some English friends for lunch and a swim - en route we ran across three dolphins slowly swimming up the coast. Unfortunately they didn't play in front of the boat, as they do sometimes, but it was nonetheless nice to see them in this area.

 

 All was lovely when about 3.30pm the sky looked black to the east and inshore - thunderstorms had been forecasted as a possibility. Seeing white horses coming in with the clouds we decided it was time to go. Whilst leaving the bay we spotted a water spout/tornado just off the coast of the neighbouring Island of Levant, heading towards us. It was quickly decided that we would leave the sails down so we could motor in whatever direction was necessary to avoid its path. Whilst it did indeed start heading towards us, duly sending me in all directions, it then suddenly died with all the airborne water falling back into the sea. Once it had cleared the Island of Levant the effect of the land and wind clearly stopped. The journey back to Port de Bormes was also a bit odd with winds from 0 to 20 knots coming from various directions. We soon gave up trying to sail and motored back towards a very dark coastline. Happily by the time we had arrived the thunderstorm had passed and we escaped with only a few spots of rain. They had clearly had quite a deludge though in Port de Bormes.

 

We were so intent on watching the spout that we forgot to take a picture until it was in the process of dying - attached.

 

We spent the weekend and Monday inland with our friends Dominique and Vanessa. We did a little tourism inland and tried out a few restaurants in the hills plus a lot of lazing around the pool. A very pleasant change from the boat and sea.

 

We are now back out at sea - we have had some nice afternoon breezes which have a) keep us cool in the ever increasing summer temperatures b) provided some nice sailing. Last night being spent again peacefully at anchor off the Island of Porquerolles - the services are getting better each time we visit this bay. This morning a boat came around selling baguettes and croissants and not particularly expensive.

 

Tonight back to Port as we have the annual Port AGM tomorrow morning. Hopefully we will then get another sail before we start packing the boat up ready to haul her out into the yard on Tuesday, for the month of August - while we are at home.