Exciting though it is to be in the Camargue, nowhere escapes the mosquitoes or the mistral. We left it just too late to retreat below, and got bitten to bits on Wednesday night. The mossies here are enormous, they don't buzz and they really sting when they bite you. Then they leave a disgusting smear of blood on the headlining when you finally swat one!
Our new friends, Carol and Ray from Storm Chaser, recommended the electronic buzzers and a good fly swat. Pip got both in town on Thursday.
The mistral is building itself up to a right tantrum. A French boat arrived about 1800 yesterday reporting gusts up to 52 knots of wind out there. We are very pleased we came in when we did. One reason for being here in Port Napoleon is that all the boats are supported on strong steel cradles, with excellent yard supervision. When it howls like this for weeks on end in the winter, you need to know your boat is well secured.
The picture is our courtesy flags being blown about. On the starboard side (on the left as we are looking aft, towards the back of the boat), is the French flag, which is also their nautical ensign. Maritime law requires any vessel in foreign territorial waters to fly the flag of their hosts. Below is a small euro flag, as we are strong supporters of the European idea. Besides, it winds up other Brits in an amusing way. (We have seen lots of other EU boats with such flags, but never another from the UK.)
On the other side, the top flag is our club burgee, for the Cruising Association. This identifies us to other members, and has made us several friends along the way. We also fly the Kiwi ensign, as Pip is on board. This one is getting very tatty, so we will replace it in the new year. It also keeps obstinately wrapping around its halyard; it was pulled down and untangled moments before this photo was taken.