For four decades now Corsican nationalist groups have been waging a violent campaign for independence from France. Despite this the location has attracted property developers to the point that nearly half of Corsica's houses are holiday homes. Islanders worry that Cala Longa, the untouched southern coast will become another ‘Costa Concreta.' Militants are warning off potential investors. There have been 26 attacks recently and buildings are blown up or machine-gunned!

Last summer my son and his girl friend walked across Corsica. They stayed in rural farmhouses and ate peasant fish soups and rabbit stews with polenta, which were delicious. They loved the atmosphere which they described as ‘stepping back in time 50 years.' They were lucky. They never saw holiday villas on the part of the island where they trekked.

It sounds like the plot is thickening! Napoleon would have fended off this invasion!