Ajaccio

After a scenic train ride through the mountains we are now in the capital of Corsica, Ajaccio on the western coast. It happens to be the birth place of Napoleon so there are many Napoleonic points of interest. We visited the Maison Napoleon this morning which is where he was born and raised and is now a museum. This afternoon we took a boat trip to Les Sanguinaires (blood islands).

Les Sanguinaires

Corte

From the north East Coast to the mountainous centre of Corsica. Yesterday we travelled by train to the jagged mountains in the old capital of Corte.  Home to the only university in Corsica we have spent the day at the citadel and museum. We have also sampled the Corsican aperitif called Cap Corse.  It comes in Rosso and Bianco ( a bit like cinzano)  but made with muscat grapes and quite refreshing with sparking mineral water and lots of ice. 

Cap Corse Spritz

Bastia and Erbalunga

Yesterday when we arrived in Bastia we wandered through the old town,  old port and visited the Bastia museum to get a crash course in Corsican history. Corsica is scattered with citadels to protect against the privateers aka pirates.  Today we took the local bus to the town of Erbalunga in the Cap Corse area north of Bastia to see said crumbling citadel and have a nice seafood lunch. 

Bastia

We are now in Corsica. We spent the day in Marseille yesterday seeing the old port and the La Panier old area before catching the overnight ferry to Bastia. The 13 hour crossing (we had a cabin) was smooth with most of the passengers being either soldiers,  cyclists,  motorcyclists or quad bikers. Our French wasn't good and now we have no hope as the Corsican language appears to be a mix of French and Italian. Most tourists appear to be French or Italian.

Last night in Aix

The last couple of days we have been going to the Musee Granet to see the exhibitions and just enjoying Aix. Tomorrow we are heading to Marseille to see the sights and then catch the overnight ferry to Corsica.  Below is the view from our apartment window. 

Cezanne day

Today we walked to Cezanne's studio and then onto the park where he painted Saint-Victoire mountain.  The views were spectacular from the park so we could see why he chose it! 

Wine tasting

We are now well settled in to Aix-en-Provence as we are here for a week. The first couple of days was mainly spent going to the local markets, cooking and having a long lunch.  Today we did a DIY wine tour by local bus to the Sainte-Victoire wine region. Lunch and a tasting at the co-op in Rousset and then a couple of tastings at Domaine Terre de Mistral and Chateau de la Galiniere.  May have purchased a few bottles of rose.

aix-en-provence : Day 2

 Our "dies horribilis" is now but a distant memory, it has been cured by wine, a good nights sleep & a trip to the markets to get some beautiful food (and coffee).

This is the "Sunday" markets which are only small...

More than enough goodies..

You can also just sit, drink coffee and watch if you like

Aix-en-Provence

Phew we made it.  What a travel day. We were warned by Josh and Annegret that Schiphol airport was a nightmare and had been since May. Formerly considered one of the best airports in the world has lost its shit post covid. We arrived at the airport 4 hours before the flight and ended up running through the airport just making our flight. There were queues the length I have never seen before that snaked through inside and outside the airport.  All because of delays at security screening. Anyway our flight was on time and we and now enjoying a hefty Gin and tonic in our apartment.

Schiphol airport 

This was abt 40 mins into the experience

Photo Timestamp - 11:28

Actual time we go thru security - 13:55

Only out by 30%

This was pretty much our view for 2 hours

Anyhow we lived to drink beer and gin and wine.

Who knows how many people did not make it ,,

The Netherlands

We spent the night in Amsterdam and then took the train to Wageningen to see the Larsens.  Had a lovely dinner last night at their new home.  This morning we had coffee and cake for Kirky's birthday. 

Farewell to Scotland

We are currently sitting at Glasgow Airport waiting for our flight to Amsterdam. Yesterday we had an enjoyable day in And around Fort William walking, tasting some whiskey and enjoying a cruise on the loch. Weather has been cool but fine given it is the wettest place in the UK. Drove to the airport past Loch Lamond. Looking forward to catching up with Larsens in Waginenen.

Fort William

Arrived in Fort William this afternoon via a scenic drive from the Isle of Skye.  We are in the shadows of UKs highest mountain Ben Nevis. Popped in to Eilean Donan castle on the way. Quaint and most photographed castle in Scotland!

Isle of Skye

We spent a lovely day walking around and driving on Goat Tracks ( IE More of the same ) around the top 1/2 of Skye. 

Seriously most of the roads we were on were one lane with overtaking spots, this is perhaps why a 30 Mile Drive takes an hour !

Some of these roads were major thoroughfares with numbers like the A855....

That aside the scenery is beautiful, and we did a fair amount of walking.

Fortunately for us the weather was good weather for walking ... cold, cloudy and windy !

This is the view from the road "up near the top" !

And if you catch the light right from "Old Man Of Storr" you might see something like this.

More photos in the links.

0 good coffees today !

Isle of Skye via Plockton

Headed off today for the Isle of Skye.  Fantastic drive although with a couple of single lane roads.  Stopped for coffee at Plockton and now in Skye.  Blue skies and T-shirt weather! 

Black Isle

Yesterday we spent the day exploring the local area around Avoch and the Black Isle just north of Inverness.  Nice walks,  but no dolphin sightings.

Loch Ness

We definitely saw something, not sure what it was, but with a few colour enhancements to the photo these images came through ......

You can't argue with the evidence !

Aberlour

Yesterday we spent the day in Pitlochry doing some local walks followed by a delicious curry meal. Today we headed off to Aberlour via the scenic route. A fantastic drive to Braemar. Didnt get to see the Queen at Balmoral and headed to Aberlour. Very much a country drive with road closures and overturned trucks so by the time we got to Aberlour we were in need of a whiskey tasting. We had a private tasting at Aberlour Distillery which was great.

Also we have a new PM

Pitlochry via Stirling Castle

Picked up the Peugeot 208 this morning and drove to Stirling for a tour of the magnificent castle. If you hold Stirling you control Scotland. A residence of the Stuart monarchs. 

Edinburgh

A cultural morning at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery followed by music and beers in the arvo. 

Edinburgh

After a busy travel day yesterday we arrived in Edinburgh last night. Ryanair got us and our bags safely to Scotland from France. It was the first time I have caught a plane when boarding commenced before the plane had actually arrived at the airport.  It certainly made for a fast turn around. Edinburgh is very busy.  We visited Edinburgh castle and walked the Royal Mile today. 

Vannes and Ile de Arz

Last full day in Normandy and Brittany. Heading to Scotland tomorrow. We spent the day at Ile d Arz a small island off Vannes in the Gulf of Morbihan. Nice walking and lunch in the town.