Beach and Buoys
06 July 2008
Cavalaire does have this enormous beach, which stretches around the south east facing bay for about two miles. Now it's all bit up, but (in memory) only the western tip was developed 40 years ago, the rest being pretty deserted.
There are lots of these white buoys; the note in our second hand pilot book says, rather indignantly, 'NOT cheaper than the marina'. I'm sure some at least would take the weight of a cruising boat. They're certainly watched; while we were fossicking about taking pictures, out came the marina boat, offering to assist.
We politely declined and set off south-east to round Cap Lardier. Our original intention had been to possible dinghy ashore in Cavalaire, and then anchor to the east of Cap Lardier. In fact, it was only 1330, a beautiful day, and well: we sailed all round Cap Camarat and up to the Golfe de St Tropez. There were a few interesting moments when we reefed: turning into the Gulf coincided with a wind increase to about 24 knots, and putting us on a close reach. And despite our best efforts, the reefing lines weren't exactly right. Ah well! Early in the season and all that, and no harm done.
We came to rest in the Baie de Canabiers, just east of San Tropez (and free), which has reasonably good shelter from everything except gale force northerlies.