2016-08-13 Iles de Lerins, Cannes to Theoule, Cote d’Azur, France

Today we leave the busy anchorage between Ile Ste Marguerite and Ile Honorat
Today we leave the busy anchorage between Ile Ste Marguerite and Ile Honorat
Ric had organised a gentleman from a local training school to test him on his boating skills in order to get a licence to skipper a boat in the canals, which one must have in France (unless you hire a canal boat!!!!!)
Ric had organised a gentleman from a local training school to test him on his boating skills in order to get a licence to skipper our boat in the canals.  One must have it in France unless you hire a canal boat!!!! Seems odd!!

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The anchorage off Fort Royal looked quiet overnight
The anchorage off Fort Royal looked unusually quiet this morning
In Golfe Juan where Ric's boating skills test was to be conducted several superyachts were still at anchor
Several super yachts were still on anchor In Golfe Juan where Ric’s boating skills test was to be conducted
This bay is particularly popular with the super yachts because of it's close proximity to Cannes and the Antibes
This bay is particularly popular with the super yachts because of it’s close proximity to the towns of Cannes and also the Antibes
Ric seemed to have passed the test that local Englishman, Gwiliam set out for him
Ric seemed to have passed the test that local Englishman, Gwiliam set out for him
Once we dropped Gwiliam back at one of the marinas we headed back to the islands
Once we dropped Gwiliam back at one of the marinas we headed to the islands again
By afternoon the anchorage at Fort Royal had well and truly filled up with it's usual day tripper boats
By afternoon the anchorage at Fort Royal had well and truly filled up with it’s usual day tripper boats
We decide to circumnavigate the islands as we had not been to the south of Ile Ste Honorat by boat
We decide to circumnavigate the islands as we had not been to the south of Ile Ste Honorat by boat
The fortified monastery was built later in 1073 by the water to protect the area from unwelcome attacks
The fortified monastery on Ile Ste Honorat was built  in 1073 on the water’s edge in order to protect the area from unwelcome attacks
The monastery dates back to the 4th century and originally covered much of the island
The original monastery dates back to the 4th century and the monks controlled and owned much of the island
The Port des Moines by the monastery is used for tripper boats that bring visitors from Cannes
The Port des Moines, situated by the monastery is used nowadays for tripper boats bringing visitors to the island from Cannes
Nearby is an anchorage that yachts use in the summer
Close by is an anchorage that yachts use regularly in the summer, despite being uncomfortable at times
Looking north towards Cannes
Looking north towards Cannes
Still quite a few boats between the islands where we had a couple of lovely days
Still quite a few boats between the islands where we had spent a couple of delightful days on anchor

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We make our way over to Cannes
We make our way  to Cannes which is slightly north west of the Iles de Lerins
Cannes famous for it's annual film festival attracts many rich and famous visitors
Cannes, famous for it’s annual film festival attracts many rich and famous visitors during the festival and also in the summer months too
The famous Carlton Intercontinental Hotel
One of the well known luxury hotels along the Promenade de  la Croisette is the Carlton Intercontinental Hotel
The shoreline of Cannes consists of rows and rows of luxury hotels
The shoreline of Cannes consists of rows and rows of luxury hotels to house visiting guests
Hotel Barrière Le Majestic is a traditional hotel used by film stars visiting the Cannes Film Festival
Hotel Barrière Le Majestic is a traditional hotel used by film stars visiting the Cannes Film Festival
One of the maninas in Cannes
One of the marinas in Cannes
The beach in Cannes stretches along the shores for several kms
The beach in Cannes stretches along the shores of  Golfe de la Napoule for several kms
We decide to continue around the Golfe de la Napoule for an anchorage where we can drop the anchor
We decide to continue around the Golfe de la Napoule for a safe anchorage where we could actually drop the anchor, rather than go into a marina
We couldn't believe how busy it was in the bay with boats coming and going at high speed, jet skis and people hydro flying
We couldn’t believe how busy it was in the bay with boats coming and going at high speed, jet skis and people hydro flying!!
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Everybody seemed to be in such a hurry in the late afternoon!!
Continuing around the large gulf we pass Mandelieu-La Napoule
Continuing around the large gulf we pass Mandelieu-La Napoule with it’s castle

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We approach Theoule a small village on the western side of the Golfe de la Napoule
We approach Theoule a small village on the western side of the Golfe de la Napoule
Theoule was once a fishing village and now has become a lovely retreat with delightful villas on the hillside overlooking the water
Theoule was once a fishing village and now has become a lovely retreat with delightful villas on the hillside overlooking the water
What a perfect and certainly picturesque place to drop our anchor for the night
What a perfect and certainly picturesque place to drop our anchor for the night
Rather than go ashore to one of the little restaurants we dined simply with one of Ric's delicious pizzas
Rather than go ashore to one of the little restaurants we dined simply on one of Ric’s delicious pizzas

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