It’s puzzling!

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With this season’s in-flight magazine from Corsican Places soon to be published we thought we’d share with you the puzzle page. We’ll publish the answers in a forthcoming post for both our blog readers and the magazine readers. Have fun!

Word Search
mountains   beaches   villas   unspoilt   sunshine   harbours   brocciu   saucisson   porto

 

Sudoku
Enter a number from 1 to 9 into each of the blank spaces. Every row, column and 3×3 square must contain only one of each number.

 

Crossword


Across
1.   Counting device (6)
4.   A forceful consequence (6)
9.   Deport (5)
10. Relished (7)
11. Act of deliberate betrayal (7)
12. Movable staircases (5)
13. Easily handled or managed (6)
15. Lithe (6)
19. Device in a brass wind instrument (5)
21. Oval (7)
23. Slowly moving ice mass (7)
24. Large artery (5)
25. Throws out (6)
26. Sternutation (6)

Down
1.   Turned away or aside (7)
2.   Similar (5)
3.   Kitchen implement (7)
5.   Commissioned military officer (5)
6.   Unfathomable (7)
7.   Periodic rise and fall of sea level (5)
8.   Deceive by mock action (5)
14. Assemble in proper sequence (7)
16. Scoundrel (7)
17. Promote (7)
18. Prolonged period of time (5)
19. Undefined (5)
20. Live (5)
22. Sum of money offered as a prize (5)

 

 

10 things not to miss in Corsica

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Corsican Places product manager Amandine Blanchard gives us her personal recommendations for 10 things not to miss whilst on holiday in Corsica.
  1. A walk in the mountains– one of the best ways to take in the scenery and there are routes for all levels, from gentle strolls through the mountain tops to more energetic hikes.

    Corsica's mountainous scenery

    Corsica's mountainous scenery
    High Quality Photo

  2. Take a boat trip to the Réserve Naturelle de Scandola– a UNESCO World Heritage Site with dramatic 900 metre high red cliffs and the chance to spot seals, dolphins and osprey.

    Boat trips to the Réserve Naturelle de Scandola

    Boat trips to the Réserve Naturelle de Scandola
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  3. Calvi Jazz Festival – held from 20th to 24thJune in 2012, the streets of Calvi come alive during this event with free concerts on the quayside as well as ticketed concerts.

    Calvi Jazz Festival

    Calvi Jazz Festival
    High Quality Photo

  4. The isolated beaches of Désert des Agriates– Loto and Saleccia are 2 of the best with white sand and turquoise water; definitely worth the boat trip or walk necessary to reach them.

  5. The fortress town of Bonifacio– with a Citadel perched precariously on the clifftop; wander the narrow cobbled streets or enjoy the best view of the town on a boat trip to the nearby Lavezzi islands.

  6. Balagne villages – however you wish to travel – by car, coach trip, walking, cycling or on horseback – a day exploring these beautiful hilltop villages is a must if you’re staying in the North.

    Discover the beautiful villages of la Balagne

    Discover the beautiful villages of la Balagne
    High Quality Photo

  7. Calvi Citadel - the cobbled streets and narrow alleyways lead to the Cathédrale Saint Jean-Baptiste and some of the best views of Calvi bay and the mountains beyond.

    Calvi Citadel

    Calvi Citadel
    High Quality Photo

  8. Polyphonic chants / live Corsican music - Corsica’s unique and haunting polyphonic music has undergone a revival in recent years – if you get the chance we’d recommend watching one of the many groups that perform or attending one of the festivals dedicated to the music.

    Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi

    Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi
    High Quality Photo

  9. Corsican delicatessen– food and wine play an important part in Corsican life: try some of their best delicatessen including maquis herb-scented charcuterie, Brocciu or goat cheese, chestnut-based pastries, honey and wine.

    Sample Corsican delicatessen

    Sample Corsican delicatessen
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  10. Watersports – there are many options across the island: sea-kayaking, sailing, snorkelling, windsurfing, diving to name just a few.

    There is a wide range of water sports to try

    There is a wide range of water sports to try
    High Quality Photo

Snow in Corsica?!?

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Our resort manager Rob Ashton-Kane reports from an unusually cold Corsica…

Well, I guess it serves me right! Only a few days ago, whilst basking in relatively balmy temperatures of 12°, I allowed myself a wry smile of smug, self contentment when I saw that temperatures in the UK were plummeting. Freezing temperatures, snow and the usual associated transport chaos were predicted and there were the annual stories of schools being closed as their heating systems couldn’t cope and fears that the Highways Authority had, again, underestimated how much grit it would need. “Good job this never happens in Corsica” said I……!!

Rob's house in the snow

Rob's house in the snow
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Well, it seems that Corsica is not immune from the vagaries of climate change! Over this last weekend, certain parts of the island have experienced the highest snowfall for decades - most of which seems to fallen on my house! The whole of La Balagne was particularly badly effected with roads blocked leaving many of those who stay to “winter” in the region, trapped in their houses for up to 24 hours. The snow was so heavy in certain areas that the main radio, TV and phone relay antenna literally collapsed under the weight, resulting in many people not actually being able to tell anyone they were stuck!

Ghjunchitu and Bodri beaches in the snow

Ghjunchitu and Bodri beaches in the snow
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Some beaches, such as Ghjunchitu and Bodri, better know for their fine, golden sand, were covered in crisp, white snow; cafés in Place Paoli in the centre of L’Ile Rousse which usually play host to chattering locals were deserted and many roads where the tarmac habitually melts in the heat of the August sun, were only passable in 4X4s.

Precarious driving on Corsica's winding roads

Precarious driving on Corsica's winding roads
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However, like every cloud, this one had a silver lining – for my son, at least! His school has been closed so he and his friends (some of whom have never experienced real snow before) have been able to build snowmen, sledge down the hills on makeshift toboggans and, as all 12-year olds do, throw snowballs at their dad!!

Rob's son preparing to throw the snowball

Rob's son preparing to throw the snowball
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Gillian Thornton returns to Southern Corsica

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Palombaggia beach near Porto Vecchio

Palombaggia beach near Porto Vecchio. Image by Gillian Thornton

Travel journalist Gillian Thornton – with an expertise in French travel – returned to Southern Corsica courtesy of Corsican Places last Autumn. A full feature is scheduled to run in Destination France Magazine (Spring 2012), but in the interim Gillian has been posting excellent articles onto The Travel Editor website.

These include Bonifacio, Dramatic from any Angle; Unforgettable Cruise Excursions; Is this Corsica’s most Romantic Restaurant and Zonza – Authentic Corsican Cuisine with Mountain Views.

Tonnara, near Bonifacio

Tonnara, near Bonifacio. Image by Gillian Thornton.

The cliffs at Bonifacio

The cliffs at Bonifacio. Image by Gillian Thornton.