Family Reunion - Opportunity Not To Be Missed

Little opportunities come along that might not always be seen and therefore get missed -- but not this one. It has been far too many years since I last saw my brothers son, my nephew , Simon Andrews, and in that time since he has been working in Corsica, getting married to the beautiful Roberta and having 2 beautiful daughters Lesia & Jessica. OH I nearly forgot -- he has had his own restaurant with him as chef, and has a Michelin Star to boot. Not bad for a 44 year old, brit , now accepted Frenchman.

The 4 1/2 hour trip on the Moby ferries was great in both directions -- just do not sit near the childrens play area if you want any kind of peace/sleep or just to read a book -- it will be a challenge.

We also had to remember that Simon and Roberta had to work , so next time we need to come there on a sunday and Monday and not a Thursday and Friday. Anyway we found the restaurant on the Thursday evening.

The Chef du Cuisine found time to get out the kitchen and take a pose with Roberta -- it was a very emotional moment when seeing him -- even if he does look a little like a sea captain these days

We didn't hang around too long on the Thursday evening and I managed to get round at 7am for coffee the Friday morning for an hour or so -- great catch-up and especially to learn that Simon and Roberta now had sole ownership of A Nepita Restaurant, which is brilliant and we wish them every success in the future which they deserve -- they do work hard in this business and these 2 are no exception but great to see how well they work together.

Lynda and me spent the main part of the day doing some drive around and then finding the Beach of Sevani which was fairly deserted and very pretty --- forgot to mention to Simon that we didn't head his warning about that side of the island having jelly fish and unfortunately Lynda got stung -- mind you you should have seen her flicking this little brown thing out of the water and laying into it. Thankfully the sting was not too bad or for long.

 

 
 

 

Corsica appears to be a very beautiful Island but it is a little mystery as to what it actually produces to generate income -- clearly tourism is one part and the history of Napoleon Bonaparte coming and brought back here at the end is an attraction but it is described in some sources as the poorest region of France. I can imagine that the appearance changes with the seasons, quite snowy at the top of this mountain I am sure.

Also did see quite a few "Doer upper's " like this one around.

So back to the restaurant in the evening to be treated to the most amazing dinner but much more importantly to meet the 2 apples of Simons eyes -- The eldest Lecia and the cheekiest, and youngest Jessica.

Also a picture from Simons FB page to prove that despite rumours to the contrary , there is a chance of life outside the restaurant.

 

So one daughter growing up way to fast and the other a real handful but oh so cute and it was great to see the parents find time for themselves as well.

Your food Simon was sensational and you have to send Lynda the recipe for the dip for the canapes - it was to die for.

 

 

Quite superb.

So it was not nearly long enough but we are grateful for you finding some time for us and treating us so well but you have an open invitation to come to Aegina and we will also try to catch up when your over around Christmas.

So the Saturday was a drive over to Bastia to catch the ferry and wouldn't you know it my risk assessment that said we should leave very early based on our bad experiences of being stuck up in the mountains behind lorries and coaches, and not wanting to miss the ferry we arrived about 3 hours before sailing - I'm bad.

 

Getting off the ferry in Livorno we saw a sign that said that PISA was only 13 kilometres away so we decided that we would go there to see the tower.

 

Ok so here was I trying to convince Lynda that the tower was purposely built with a lean when the reality is that the ground became destabilised when the tower was up to the 3rd level and has proceeded from 1150 for the next 800 years to lean a further millimetre every year-- I do think that they have stabilised it now though -- not sure that they wouldnt let people up to the top without that assurance.

 

Can you imagine the thinking that when the Architects started to realise they had a problem they started to compensate for nthe slippage by building the floors on the side slipping taller than the other to make it look ok.

 

 

Sorry for this shot but it has to be a rights of passage for blokes to show they can hold up the leaning tower of Pisa.

 

Ok so with the sun quickly setting we made our way inland to Florence and to the villa il sasso hotel arriving around 9.30 pm very tired but pleased to see this beautiful place.

 

 

 

 

 So beautiful