We are still at the marina in Beaulieu-sur-Mer so we take a train ride to Nice. This must be Neptune. By the way, our camera battery ran out so we're using Jenée's iPhone.
I wanna ice cream! I wanna ice cream! I guess that's what I'm crying about.
We pass Neptune and end up on the beach. Just in time for catamaran races.
There are chase boats everywhere. These appear to be 12 meter boats (38-40 feet). Pretty serious racers with full sponsorship all over their sails.
They run through quite the obstacle course before heading home. Check it out - 'ole Stars and Stripes
A look towards the east and my happy ass mug.
Race over. The last catamaran heads into the Nice harbor.
We have a nice dinner, pick up some things we need and head back to the train station.
We pass the Notre Dame of Assumption church. Nice lighting.
The next day we head to a little village around the point from our marina called Villefranche-sur-Mer. This time for breakfast.
There is the village now.
We are biking it today. It was quite the up hill climb to get here.
Now we get to roll down hill into the village.
Unbelievable views along the way.
Now looking west.
Down there somewhere is a breakfast with our name on it. Good time to mention; it is my firm belief that you cannot get a bad meal in all of France. When I say that to a Frenchman, they say 'yes you can'. What do they know.
Now looking back to the east you can see the bay, over the hill, where Jungle is located.
Getting closer we spot the fort and know that we want to bike down to this side of it for the restaurants.
Well, Cap'n Jimbo biked down to the wrong side. We have a long climb back up or we better find another way.
Never a doubt! We find a walking path in front of the fort. So we walk our bikes over.
We find the only place serving breakfast. It was ca.lled American, but it was French and it was wonderful. I took a picture, then I ate it.
After breakfast, we walk through the back alleyways as we like to do.
Very clean place.
Back to the waterfront and the bikes.
The captain is at it again. I'm trying to find a low route back home. I spotted this road and we take it. Nice photos again along the way. Looking out to the point towards our harbor.
Looking back into the village. We can clearly see the old fort.
One last look a Villefranche. We ended up at a dead end, but a staircase up to the top. Not to bad as we carried the bikes up an rolled our way home.
We earned our desserts at dinner that evening. Jenée's is a Tobleone chocolate wrapped in philo. My dessert was ice cream with chestnuts and rum. Wowee!
The next day we continued our sail west and anchored in Port Crouton. Fitting name as we had a fantastic grilled salmon and green veggie we bought in Corsica. It tasted exactly like cauliflower. Made for a great meal.
The next day we sailed to the tiny island of St. Honorat. It contains a wine making Monastary. We were told they have a wine tasting, so we're in.
This archway is leading us in.
It just rained so we had to dodge a few puddles.
There is the Monastary.
There is an old castle on the water. Built in 1073 to defend the island.
A different view. In its heyday, there were 4000 monks here.
Very nice and very quiet. This Monastary was founded in the 4th century by St. Honorat. He moved here to be alone, but his followers soon flocked in, so he had to set up a Monastary. Most of the buildings we see now are 19th century. This island produced 20 saints and 600 bishops - very holy ground. Saint Patrick studied he for 9 years before heading of to convert the heathen Irish and set up monasteries in Ireland.
It turned out they were hosting a private function, so no wine tasting today. That was a bummer. Still glad to know St. Patty spent some time here.
Still, many pretty sights. Well, things should pick up as we are off to St. Tropez. Bon soir St. Honorat.
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