pre-s. Off Exploring forgot to mention the previous lot of photos, but there is an album from the nature reserve and Calvi itself

Bastia - and Au Revoir la Corse

And we have moved on. If you imagine a "thumbs up" - a fist with a little thumb sticking up - well that is a bit what Corsica looks like. We were on the NW Coast - we have done an "up-and-over" that thumb to arrive in Bastia on the NE (the capital of north Corsica) and our last stop here.

The gales subsided and we carried on to a little place at the foot of the thumb called Ile Rousse (Red Isle) where we were treated to an open air 'a capella' choir and a blessing from the Church. The clergy and the choristers then took to a little ferry accompanied by a bevy of small boats setting off flares to throw flowers on the water and bless those who have perished at sea and protect those who go to sea. We now feel protected. And later there was an open air concert by a local folk group, mainly guitars and vocals. A bit like folk singing anywhere from the Celtic regions to Basque country to here in the Corsican heartland. Ballads of love and loss, etc and very evocative. But the language is something else - Corsican is more than a dialect - not French, not Italian and not exactly a blend of the two either.

On up and round the tip of Corsica (Cap Corse) with the wind being very contrary - it was following the curve of the island and was always on the nose - not helpful. Part way down the other side to Macinaggio and today on to Bastia. The topography has changed. From the craggy red rocks of the wild west coast, we went from the Desert (and called that, a region of sheer granite, with absolutely no vegetation anywhere) to gentler hills of a honey and ochre colour. And some of the strange greenish rock we saw last year on the east side of Sardinia.

Bastia is more Italian than French (although we did ransack the local supermarket for our last fix of French favourites), but sorry Clive, no Kouign Amans (gooey men to the uninitiated). All languages are spoken here and you hear Italian as much as the local Corse and French. The town took a beating in WWII, the only one on the island to do so, and it shows. But it too has its little Citadel and the Church of Santa Maria within it which was built in 1604 on the site of a little chapel originally built in 1428.

Here for a short time only though. We want to cross to Elba tomorrow. Had some great moules mariniere tonight to celebrate French cuisine and look forward to the Italian fare to come. Hope the travellers among you are having fair winds, MCL don't get burnt in your mini heatwave, happy birthday Jane, and hope all's going well Sophie. xx