Pied d'Orezza

Today we left Bastia; we settled up at Les Voyageurs and set off to find Bernard's roots. We had read in the local paper that the storms of the last few days have dropped a large amount of snow on the high mountains and snow was forecast for today down to 700m. Apparently some 500 motorists have been caught in the weather. We were therefore prepared not to be able to complete the trip, although Pied d'Orrezza was just under 700m. In the event, although it was quite bitingly cold, we managed to see the place Bernard spent much of his childhood holidays. A tiny village perched precipitously on the side of a mountain and looking as though it has had a bit of a facelift.

Pied d'Orrezza

It is clearly in the same vein as Cockshutt a working village with no pretentions and quite delightful too. The trip up there was as exciting as any we have had so far, with narrow sections, steep hairpins and dramatic vistas opening up at every corner. It was amplified by sighting a kite as we started our ascent, followed by another shortly after and then a buzzard! The animal kingdom went on to be represented by several groups of pigs and cattle wandering aimlessly all over the road as we made our way up. We retraced our steps back to the main road and drove along the coast road for an hour or so until we found the turning that would take us up to the Aigulles de Bavelle.

La Solenzara, beautifully clear. Looks a stream in this but is a river.

We followed a lovely, very clear river up its valley which was characterised by a bed of warm honey-coloured stone. The road was typically difficult but Sue who was now driving managed to take it all in her stride. As we got higher, it started to rain, then it rained harder before starting to turn to sleet and then rapidly to snow. We carried on for a little while to see how it was going but when we reached the Bocca di Larone at around 700m, the snow was falling thickly and with the temperature at 0, it was obvious that we would have problems if we tried to continue to the Aigulles at 1100m.

Bocca di Larone

We decided, not for the first time that discretion is the better part of valour and hope to do this at the end of the holiday if the snow has receded. Back to the main road with me driving and watching the temperature rise to 5 with some relief. We drove on to Porto Vecchio, arriving mid-afternoon and in time to do a bit of sightseeing of the town itself. Some of the original Genoese fortifications are still standing and certainly the town has a late mediaeval feel to it.

Genoese Gate

Founded in around 1500, the initial Genoese were killed off by the malarial mosquitoes until the swamps were were made into salt marshes. The town is built above a natural harbour and the modern marina has a delightful backdrop.

Marina

The salt pans that used to be a feature of much commerce are no longer used but still clearly visible from the heights of the town looking down across the harbour below.

Porto-Vecchio, France