Today's journey started at 0635, in the cold pre-dawn light of Calvi. So we had a somwhat different, less sun-drenched view of Corsica's amazing mountains as our little train took us back up to Ponte Leccia (braking sharply at one point to avoid the sheep on the line).

Normally, we would have simply changed trains there. But as they're renovating a couple of viaducts between Ponte Leccia and Bastia, they provide a bus to take you to Casamozza, which is where you board the train again.

We're always a bit disappointed to have to trade a train for a bus, but at least they've not closed the whole service down. And the route is still fairly picturesque, as you wind your wind through gorges and valleys.






Nigel smartly realized that if we got off at the stop before the end (ie, before the train plunges into the really long tunnel that burrows its way under Bastia's old town), we'd actually end up nearer our accommodation.


So, we were installed just after 10 (our host having very kindly agreed that we didn't have to wait until the official check-in time this afternoon).

It's an interesting old building, that has probably been rather grander in its day:





The sea views are fab:




We're situated in the old town, and there are some cool bits of art right on our doorstep:








Bastia was the capital of Corsica until 1791, and we're definitely starting to recognize the Genoese imprint:




Otherwise, Bastia is notable for its port activity and its verticality:





There'll be plenty to do here, for sure.