We got a call from Pat and Bert to tell us that they were passing through Antibes for a couple of days in their new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, currently named Daste (this name will change eventually). They invited us to come over for an onboard dinner at the port. It’s a beautiful boat, with a living room, kitchen, dining room, large deck, and three double berths which allows plenty of room for guests. We soaked up the beautiful warm evening on the lovely deck with champagne, paté with slices of a fresh baguette ancienne, cheese, and spicy olives. We moved on to sautéed côte d’agneau, fresh green salad with an herb vinaigrette, and perfectly cooked asparagus spears. We finished with a dessert of charlotte framboise – of course, with a name like that how could that be anything but delicious. Pat is a great cook, and dining on the water in her beautiful new boat (and home) with Fort Carré behind us – well, I cannot imagine any restaurant with more ambiance.
Pat and her brother, Bert, have spent the last four months purchasing the new boat in Viareggio, Italy, and then island hopping in the Mediterranean. They arrived here into Port Vauban after a straight 24-hour day and night sail from Corsica. They loved the people and the scenery in Corsica. Before Corsica, they also spent time on the island of Capria (not to be mistaken for Capri) and on the island of Elba, as well as some other Italian islands whose names I cannot recall. Each place they visited was even better than the previous place. It sounds like they have really enjoyed their adventure. It also sounds like Pat has made a lot of progress in her sailing education. From everything we’ve heard, the trip between Corsica and Nice (and Antibes) can be extremely challenging.
And more good news is that, if all goes well, we get to take Daste out for a sail on Saturday. The plan is to sail over to Ile Ste-Marguerite, which is one of the Iles de Lerins just off the coast of Cannes, and we will swim and picnic, etc., etc. Can’t wait !
nice blog - tres bon - will visit again.
Posted by: Preton Vhiappa | Friday, 05 August 2005 at 08:28 AM