Corsica

Once Piet's sabbatical was approved we started looking at a trip to Corsica. Our original plan was to do a long, multi-day hike with luggage transfer, but that proved to be impossible as most accommodations didn't accept dogs. We quickly adjusted this and organised three very different places to stay, spread over the island, and booked a ferry from Toulon for a 2 week trip.

We drove to Toulon, some 4 hours from our house, and had a smooth check-in to the ferry; this is a well-oiled machine that can board many cars, campervans and trucks in little time. We booked a cabin for the overnight sail, and settled there with Pippin. Most people just hang around for the night, but we preferred some luxury, and, although we didn't sleep well, we arrived somewhat rested in Ajaccio, at 6 AM. Pippin's highlight was that he could sleep on Mary's bed!

After a rainy and misty drive to the centre of the island we arrived in Lozzi, where we had booked a small wooden chalet on a mountainside, overlooking a small lake. This turned out to be a perfect starting point for several beautiful hikes and some nice bike rides (yes, Piet too his road bike along!). One common feature of Corsica was very obvious here: cows and pigs are wandering freely on the roads, in fields, and in villages.

After 5 days we moved further south, to Vivario, still in the mountainous centre of Corsica, where we had booked a room in a very small family hotel. Again this was our base for several long walks in the area, and we also did a short stretch of the famous GR20, one of the toughest long distance hikes in Europe. We then drove to Serra-di-Ferro, where we had arranged a little bungalow in a small holiday resort, close to the beach. Here we could combine easy hikes, bike rides and even swims in the Mediterranean. Even Pippin loved swimming in the sea! These last few days the weather was perfect, and it was good to end an active holiday this way. On our last day we took a scenic seaside route back to Ajaccio, where we boarded the ferry for another 'cruise night'. The next morning we first drove to Montjay, where our French neighbours have a holiday house, and we had some coffee and a catch-up. In the afternoon we arrived home, to our garden that had grown significantly in the rainy spring weather. back to work!

Waiting for the ferry in Toulon

On the ferry, in our cabin

First hike on Corsica, near Lozzi

Cows in front of our chalet in Lozzi

We did a long hike in direction of Monte Cinto, the highest point on Corsica

Passing a shepherds hut on the way down, in the rain

Cows in the mist, track between Lozzi and Monte Cinto

Lozzi, with free roaming cows everywhere

Taking the train from Vivario to Venaco, before hiking back

Buying a baguette in Venaco

Hiking back from Venaco to Vivario

Cascade des Anglais, on the GR20, near Vizzavona

A very scenic spot, and the only hike where we encountered other people

Ruins of Pasciola fort, above Vivario

Pippin is relaxing on the balcony of our hotel in Vivario

Pigs are roaming everywhere along the road

Cascade Sant' Albertu

Walking near Serra-di-Ferro

We also tasted and bought some nice local wine

Cupabia beach, walking distance from our bungalow in Serra-di-Ferro

Gulf of Ajaccio

On the beach near Ajaccio

Waiting for the ferry in Ajaccio

Arrival in Toulon, early in the morning

Sabbatical (I)

Late last year Piet proposed to take a sabbatical after almost 35 years of working, basically to have a proper break before the final stretch of his working life, and to have a practise run for his retirement. The idea was supported by his line manager, and a basic plan was put in place to cover this period. We decided to have two long stretches in our house in France, split by a return to The Hague for various social activities, and to stay in touch with Mary's parents, Paula and Dorien. During the first period in France, we also organised a trip to Corsica, something that has been on our wish list for some time.

We left The Hague with a trailer full of stuff the morning after Piet's last working day. Before continuing to Corsica we spend a week getting our terrain under control, as the combination of a lot of rain and wind, and a mild winter / spring resulted in long grass, fallen trees, and overgrown ditches. Mary also completed the transformation of the house, with three proper bedrooms with double beds. The bunk beds were moved to the 'old part', and will now be used for overflow only. In between all of this we of course had time to hike and cycle, and enjoy a glass of wine.

On return from Corsica we got our first visitors, friends of Mary from dog training, who were signed up for Alpe d'HuZes, one of the biggest Dutch charities. The aim is to cycle, run or walk up Alpe d'Huez as many times as possible during one day, to collect funds for cancer research, with an ultimate (and nearly impossible) goal to cycle up 6 ('Zes') times. The days before the event were spend relaxing, with easy walks and bike rides. On the day our combined effort resulted in twice walking up (mother and son), twice cycling up (father), and Piet cycling up three times, but abandoning his last ride halfway due to rain and thunder.

On the way back to The Hague a stop was made in Chablis, the famous wine town, for one more hike and a nice dinner, arriving back on a rainy Sunday afternoon, and a few weeks holiday in The Hague. This is something we have never done, as almost all our leave is spend in France. As mentioned above: a practise run for retirement!

Mary cycling along the Romanche

Hiking near Oulles

Pippin is enjoying a field of alpine flowers

A typical scene near Le Chazelet

Crossing a stream on a loose wooden plank

La Meije in the background

Pippin and Piet walking back to Le Chazelet

Hiking near Bourg d'Arud

The Alpe d'Huzes team: Piet, Kasper, Carrie and Vincent

Pippin in the Chablis vineyards