August 25th to Sept 2nd. Nice, Monaco and St Florent, Corsica

We spent 4 days mostly motoring from Marseilles to Nice, the coastline is really pretty and interesting, the best since we were in Brittany last year. On the way we spent 3 quiet nights at anchor and on a mooring, great for an early morning swim.   

As we got close to St Tropez and Cannes we found ourselves surrounded by huge superyachts, sometimes up to 20 were in view at any one time. It was embarrassing that almost every one carried the Red Duster, usually with the emblem of a British colony and tax haven. 

We stayed at a marina close to Nice airport for a few days to meet Wendy. Dave and Chris took the train to Monaco for the day, which Chris had only previously seen on TV during the F1 Monaco Grand Prix. We were surprised that there were relatively few tourists at the main sights such as the Royal Palace.

As expected Monaco harbour was full of superyachts, but also some humbler boats as well.

Our first view of the lovely village of St. Florent, Corsica after on overnight crossing from France

Pat and Wendy in the square in St. Florent,

The round fortress at St. Florent was build by the Genoa n's. It is now used as a gallery showing sculptures and local photography. 

We rented a car to explore some of the mountainous villages in the north of Corsica

The villages hang on the side of steep valleys

The origins of the stone agricultural building found in the mountains date back 5000 years.