Stage 7 - Remainder of Holiday in Corsica, Part 1
(April 28th to May 3rd)
April 28th 2001
On checking in to the beachside bungalow at the Marina d'Erba Rossa complex near Ghisonaccia, the
receptionist needed to list the registration number and make of all vehicles on site. Because
neither MG, Rover or AC were recognised in her computer programme, she decided that because it
was the most exotic car that she had ever seen, she would have to describe the BRA as a Porsche!
(and was made to apologise afterwards). Wash your mouth out, lady!
Spent a relaxing day walking along the beach, and watching the French round of the European Jetski
Championships at Ghisonaccia.
April 29th 2001
Drove from Ghisonaccia via Poggio-di-Nazza, Acciani, Isolaccio, San Gavino, Pietrapola, Serra,
Ventiseri, Travo, Solenzara, Col de Bavella, Zonza, Col de Punticella to Porto-Vecchio for dinner
in a local restaurant - the sheep cheese was a little too strong for us!
Several road signs or fence posts had wild boar skins hanging out to dry - is this a local custom,
or just a warning to other boars?
Other wildlife seen included several herd of wild long-haired goats ...
... and rounding one bend, we stopped in time ....
.... to save and move this tortoise off the road.
A view of the mountains near Zonza.
The view on the other side of the road is no less impressive.
Fishing in the l'Ospedale dam, just before dusk.
April 30th 2001
We gave rides in our BRA to Matthieu and Nathalie Odaimy, and Frank and Nathalie (in return for
their surplus food on their departure!), then drove from Ghisonaccia via Ghisoni, Col de Sorba,
Vivario, Venaco, Corte, Gorges de la Restonica (closed due to a landslide), Ponte Leccia,
Morosaglia, Piedicroce, San Giuliano, Chiatra, Aleria to Ghisonaccia for dinner (tagliatella with
salmon, avocado, cheese and tomato - WOW!)
Alongside the Marina d'Erba Rossa bungalow complex is the Two Maggots restaurant, with
astronomical prices - or does this refer to the number of Michelin stars awarded?
We established when refuelling the BRA in Corte that sometime in the last few days, the lower
fuel tank had split open near the top.
If there is one thing worse than watching 65 litres of petrol just dripping away, it is to watch it
drip over hot exhaust pipes and silencers, wondering whether it is likely to ignite or not! In
Germany, we would have had to pay a callout charge for the fire brigade to clear up the fuel
spillage and a heavy fine for the pollution, but hey, this is France, so a little sawdust was
sprinkled over the concrete on the forecourt ....
.... and our BRA was pushed along until the spilling fuel could flow down a drainage channel.
We later pushed the BRA downhill to the nearest (Renault) workshop, but established that
everywhere is closed today (in preparation for the public holiday tomorrow), so had to drive
on slowly once all the fuel spillage had ceased.
An old Berliet forest fire truck in Pie d'Orezza - may be useful for putting out burning BRAs?
Various cats and a dog sun themselves on and around this old clothes drier in Pie d'Orezza.
The church in Piedicroce.
The ruins of Couvert de Piedicroce - this was built by the Franciscans in 1485, encountered
Napoleon Bonaparte in 1790, and was destroyed by the Germans in 1943.
Taken on the descent from Col de Sorba.
View down onto Ghisoni.
May 1st 2001
After all the excitement yesterday at the petrol station in Corte, we decided that a relaxing day on
the beach had been earnt!
May 2nd 2001
Drove from Ghisonaccia via Ghisoni, Col de Sorba, Vivario, Venaco, Corte, Gorges de la Restonica
(still closed), then back past Vivario to Col de Vizzavona. Walked along the River Agnone past
the Cascades des Anglais, then drove back to Ghisoni and towards Col de Verde (also closed). From
Ghisoni via Pinzalone, Pietroso, Vezzani, Col de Perelli, Casevecchie, Aghione, Samuleto and back
to Ghisonaccia.
In the village of Vezzani, an artist had carved figures into some of the trees.
One of several waterfalls that comprise the Cascades des Anglais.
May 3rd 2001
Drove from Ghisonaccia via Lecci, Gialla, Col de Punticella, l'Ospedale dam to Piscia di Gallo.
Walked to waterfall (50 metres drop in spectacular gorge), then drove on via Porto Vecchio to
Bonifacio. Walked along clifftops to south-east, explored old town, then on to Plage de
Piantarella, and back via Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio, Solenzara to Ghisonaccia.
A scramble was required to get down to the base of .... the spectacular 50 metre high Piscia di Gallo waterfall.
As you walk along the clifftop and approach Bonifacio, the houses seem very precariously perched.
Great sea views, and a back door for when the mother-in-law visits.
Bonifacio harbour from the Citadel.
Typical streets in Bonifacio.
Whilst we were walking around Bonifacio, this procession passed by.
Looking south from Bonifacio, Sardinia can be seen on the horizon.
This lighthouse is the most southerly point of Corsica, with Sardinia in the background.
