Heading back west

We had a good sail from Embiez to La Ciotat on the 22nd, starting in no wind and ending in a F3 sea breeze.  As usual most boats were motoring, often with all sails up and the autopilot on.

Below is a photo of the 2 smaller islands that are adjacent to the Ile d'Embiez and below that a photo of the anchorage off the marina (though we suspect anchoring is discouraged out of the main season) with Mango in the background.  The ile d'Embiez is all about Paul Ricard who bought the island in 1958.  The island is very clean, well laid out and has all the signs of being extremely well run, we would certainly go back again.

There is another strong wind warning for a couple of days time so we are debating where to go.  La Ciotat would have been a good anchorage but there there is an anchoring exclusion zone which extends a long way off the beach so we are in 6m of water rather than the 2m of water that we would prefer for sitting out a gale.

Today we sailed from La Ciotat to Cassis and back. The scenery along the coast is stunning with wind and rain sculptured cliffs and the sail would have been fine, despite light winds, if it was not for motor boat wash.  We had thought to stay in Cassis but the anchorage is open to the current wind and swell and the harbour looks as if it could be a tight fit for us so we came back to La Ciotat.  Below is a photo of the back of the Bec de l'Aigle, the very distinctive headland just south of La Ciotat.

The water here is so clear that although we are anchored in 6m of water, I can stand on the bows and follow the anchor chain along the bottom and clearly see the anchor.