MEDITERRANEAN SAILING
by Shaun Lewis
I was in France in June 2010 but off the Côte d’Azur. I was sailing with an old French Navy friend and although I enjoyed the visit it was not straightforward. I arrived with the flooding, and the Mistral and the bad weather (hail in June!) meant that we had to put into port for the weekend, so we never achieved our objective of St. Tropez. Furthermore, my ears blocked just before I went to France and thus I was deaf in both ears for the week. It doesn’t help one’s understanding of French. I also got caught up in the air traffic control strike on my return leg.
However, I attended a very pleasant musical soirée with the cream of Toulon society and met some new friends. I was also one of the two guests of honour on board a French Navy stealth frigate for lunch. Accordingly I enjoyed my week and long to return. We did manage to sail for four out of the seven days and I managed to avoid being sick (although one day was a bit touch-and-go). One night we put into the island of Porquerolles and met a retired admiral who knew my friend. On being introduced he was amazed when I told him that we had already met. When I was on exchange with the French École de Guerre we visited Toulon and this admiral had given a presentation on the activities of the Préfet Maritime. I never forget a face and it’s a small world.
Shaun Lewis Director, Dunscar Garden Centre Limited 106-116 Southport New Road, Tarleton Preston, Lancashire, England PR4 6HY Tel: (UK) (0)1772 811111 Fax: (UK) (0)1772 816578
shaunlewis@hilaryclare.com
www.dunscar.com www.hilaryclare.com