Adieu France - Buenas Dias Spain

We are still in Sanary-sur-Mer for our last day in France. Our wonderful friend, Philipe took us to Bandol wine country. We drive up over the hills from the sea along this narrow road, that turns into a narrower dirt track, that lands us at this winery - Chateau de Pibarnon (Bandol). We're told it is quite specialized, but well known among the wine couture.

It's Monday and we are the only visitors. The cat is impressed.

Inside the small winery, we take a tour.

And a tasting of some wonderful reds. We buy 2 bottles of the Mourvèdre (2008, 2010). Our hostess was great. Philipe suggested we let the wines age about 5 years before opening. The hostess thought they were pretty good now - we agreed. We're thinking of opening them in say, oh, 5 hours. Just kidding, we'll let them age some.

Outside again, Philipe, Jenée and Canouan pose. Canouan takes the prize. She is named after the island in the Grenadines (Caribbean).

Not a bad pose by me. Almost as good as Canouan. Jenée said, "good boy".

Philipe told us in detail how the improved air and lack of sea salt makes for a much better grape over here. He knew his grapes, the Mourvèdre and his wines. He just doesn't drink them. I think I mentioned Philipe is a retired Pediatrician. Dr. Philipe to you.

Jenée and Canouan have some quality girl time. Next stop was the Ott Winery for some whites. After that, we visited a wine club Philipe belongs to and picked up many bottles at his price. Very nice indeed.

Unfortunately, it was time to drop Canouan off at home. Fortunately we got to see Philipe's beautiful home. Sorry, you only get to see his beautiful yard.

We are off again into the French countryside and mountains.

To the little village of Evenos.

Our tour guide Philipe explains the history of Evenos.

At its center is a 1500 year old castle.

And we are climbing up.

A look to the top.

And a look out over the valley.

Quite a view.

Philipe explains all we survey.

What a wonderful guy.

We're heading back down.

Philipe explained there was a wonderful little restaurant here, but today it's closed.

The population of the village is 14. Mostly related and they do all the upkeep of Evenos.

Philipe points out all the wineries we visited. Jenée and I agree, Philipe was the most giving and wonderful person we met and quite by chance. This of course, is outside of Cypress.

We drive through the mountain pass on our way back to the harbor.

Back on board Jungle, we take a last look into the beautiful village of Sanary-sur-Mer.

And a look out to sea. Tonight, we sail. Aurevoir, France, it has been a most beautiful visit.

The next day we arrive in Spain at the Empuriabrava Marina. It is like a new Venice or the inter coastal areas around Ft. Launder dale. Very pretty - but cold!

So cold you can see the snow on the Pyrenes Mountains as we leave. Those mountains separate Spain and France. I climbed to the top years ago and looked down here.

We are sailing again, this time for two overnights to the coastal town of Denia. Jungle is heading south. We pass this small island and mini sailing regatta.

Here we are at Marina de Denia. Another wonderful harbor and a good price.

We have a private dinner for two that evening. I mean the whole restaurant to ourselves. The owner/chef sent this wait person home and served us personally.

We rise the next morning to an interesting sky.

Looking to the mountains.

Now looking to the open market! Someone is happy!

Moving right along we took advantage of a southerly blow to head towards Gibraltar. It's a little gloomy out there, but the wind and seas are going our way.

The next day and the wind and seas have picked up - significantly. Always a smile on the Admirals face. Bravest gal I've ever known. (For that matter, one of the bravest persons I've known.

Pictures never tell the story on the seas, but it got rough and quickly. Many sailors will say, the Mediterranean can have some of the roughest seas in the world. It felt like it to us.

The seas peaked around 3-4 meters (9-12 feet) and Force 8 (35-40 kt) winds. It was basically a gale out there. Did I mention it also rained hard? Fun times.

We made it to the Almerimar Marina and couldn't be happier. Time to dry out!

This looks like a nice place to check out.

First stop a nice dinner - seafood Paella. We'll be through Gibraltar soon. Buenos Noches.

Sanary-Sur-Mer

We picked a lovely town to finish up our tour of the French Med. and at dinner that night we picked a lovely bottle of red wine from the next town over called Bandol. We will be picking up a bottle or two later for our trip across the Atlantic. Bandol is famous for its grape variety and brand of red wine. Our good friends Marc and Louise could explain better. I'll be sure to ask. Fo now, we'll just enjoy it.

We look lovely for dinner.

Another French culinary feast.

The next day, it's a trip to the Saturday market and first stop - the tuna head booth. We skipped the head but did pick up excellent fillets.

A stop for some fresh salmon.

Don't forget your fruits and vegetables!

There I am, styling on my ride outside the market.

On foot, we do some shopping.

And more shopping.

Ah, the latest in French fashions!

On our way back to Jungle we take in some of the local boats.

Very colorful.

These homes are at the end of our dock. There is a walkway up behind them that we'll check out later.

The sea is good for windsurfing today, not much else.

An expanded view off our dock.

A look at Jungle and the town. When we called into the marina, they were full but squeezed us in for a few nights on the welcome dock (Accuiel). We've found this throughout France, they always find a way to fit us into a spot in the marinas. Very much appreciated. Merci beau coup.

A little background. While on the dock this pretty boxer (dog) comes running up to me and I go crazy petting it, as I always do - I dig dogs. The owner comes up and we start to chat. He has a boat on the dock and asks me about Jungle. I tell him we sailed from California and says what everyone says - California? Oui. We hit it off and Philipe invites us to come to have mussels with him the next day. Philipe's English is passable, my French is not, but we agree to go at lunch. So here we are. We were thinking little restaurant but it turns out to be a mussels processing business.

We are at the plant that processes the mussels and oysters for restaurant and stores in the area.

It is a full fledged processing plant.

The place is owned by Philipe. He's taking me through the process in French, but I'm following.

Here are the vats of purified seawater that is used to clean the mussels and oysters. The beds are in the bay out back. By the way, we are in Toulon where the French Navy intercepted us two days ago.

Philipe asks me where we want to eat, I say out back is fine so they set up a table and every one gets a platter of raw mussels and oysters, with lemon slices, no sauce. Turns out to be fantastic, never tasted better. The French wine and bread helps. From left to right, that's Claude, me, Philipe and Daniel. These are also Philipe's golfing buddies.

After lunch, we head to another spot on the water for coffee. In all of France, you must have coffee after meals - government requirement. This is Rochers des Deux Freres (The Two Brothers Rocks). We passed these a couple of days prior before meeting up with the French Navy (go on a heading of 180 degrees (south) for 5 miles please)

Philipe's pal Daniel has a nice ride - Aston Martin. Jenée rode with Daniel. But of course.

Here is the gang, enjoying coffee ...

... And a great view.

This gentlemen shows up selling dancing animals - they sing and dance to rap.

The groups says arret, arret (stop, stop!). They are not interested.

So here we are working on our coffee and there are the 3 dancing rap animals - 10 euro each. Great deal.

Philipe takes this shot of Jenée and I.

Back at the marina. Philipe wants to take us to lunch the next day. We're going.

Here we are in the town of Bandol at lunch - what a place! Philipe did not disappoint with his selection of restaurants. That's my meal. Steak with foix gras and red wine sauce on toast. Check out my Lincoln log potatoes. It was fantastic. What a surprise!

Now for my coffee and dessert. Magnifique!

After lunch and back in the town, Jenée and I take a little stroll up the hill off our dock and through the neighborhoods to possibly work off the meal. Not much needed for dinner tonight.

We are heading back to Jungle. Did I mention it is winter here? Summer is definitely over on the Med.

Still very beautiful to see.

We're back in the harbor. Tomorrow, Philipe will take us back to Bandol wine country for tastings and to stock up Jungle with some select French wines. Philipe doesn't drink much wine, but like a true Frenchman, he knows his wines - in detail. Until then.