Reunion in Calvi

Corsica, September 2013

Our intended landfall, Baia Galeria, was  untenable as an anchorage as the wind suddenly increased and blew steadily from the South West, so we altered course and headed up the absolutely stunning West coast, under sail at last!  And found a brilliant anchorage, La Ravellata, only open to the North, just round the point from Calvi.  We spent an enjoyable few days here, totally sheltered from the persistent Southerlies (6 - 8), with a good beach at the head of the bay and plenty to watch. 

And the awards go to:

• Simon, for valiantly putting up with the longest steam we have made in Stravaigin so far – just about the entire 235 miles from Menorca to Corsica -  even managing to admire the moon on the glassy sea, enjoy the dolphins at night and remain alert at all times.  By far the most philosophical person on board – the skipper thinking about all those engine hours and all that diesel, the mate getting hotter and hotter and crosser & crosser as sleep eluded her and the galley became like an oven.

•  The young, blonde-ish woman in Calvi Port Office, for being the rudest marina employee we have ever encountered. By miles. Earlier, Mike and I had been given a price by another girl – this one quoted over a third more.  When I protested, she told me we had lied before [they work it out in square meters – I suppose we have to be grateful they don’t add weight and draft] and, glaring angrily, said “If you want a cheaper price, get a smaller boat”.   

And the most important one:

 

Bryan and John, with their wives Liz & Jos for making the convoluted trips from USA & Dorset [Corsica closes in early September….]  to join Mike in celebrating his 70^th birthday and their 48 years of friendship. 

Four candidates passed the 1965 Clearance Diving Long Course, out of 12 who started – one died some years ago, sadly, so they really are the last three standing!  6 days of reminiscence, backchat and nonsense followed, with a background of good dinners, plenty of wine and some breathtaking road trips round the island.  

The highlight of the week was taking Stravaigin out into Calvi Bay, securing the Avon with Bryan and camera to a rickety pontoon, then putting the boat through her  paces [John at the helm, Mike on the foredeck, Jos & I handling the odd sheet] in 25 knots of wind.  For me, it was wonderful to sit back and watch the years just fall away from the trio.