La Turbie 24th June

Today the plan was to go to Ventimiglia, just over the border in Italy by train. They have a big market on Fridays Jim was particulary looking forward to a train journey as opposed to the usual bus. We walked to the train station( 20min) only to find out Italy is having a train strike today. We walked to our nearby coffee spot to work out a plan B. La Turbie or Peille but the next bus would not be until 2.15pm so we had a few hours to kill. We walked(1hr) the long way via the Chagall Museum to Vaubaun taking our time and having a boulaugerie lunch on the way. We sat in a park and wrote this while we waited.  My feet were starting to feel like they were getting blisters. This trip we have done a lot of walking each day but then we've eaten a lot of pastries too! Arrived in La Turbie mid afternoon, way up on a hill overlooking the Monaco with a huge Roman monument at the heart. We did a tour of said monument and walked the old town then caught a bus back. Went out for tea in Nice to celebrate end of a great holiday. #

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St Jean Cap Ferrat 23rd June 2016

Jim said the lady at the bakery is getting to know his order each morning - "Der cwasonts". We caught the buses to St Jean Cap Ferrat to walk around the Cap . It has been very hot the last 2 days so I thought today was the day to venture into the meditteranian. Yes I know you are shocked! Yes I did get in ..well halfway at least. Jim got the photo to prove it! The water was wonderful and clear. We continued on around the cap and then it was time for lunch of quiche and tropezienne cake. We then caught the bus back to the Rothschild Villa to get tickets to enter. Built high on a hill with views both directions over the sea and extensive gardens built by someone who must have had a bit of coin! Back to Nice for a gelati and smoothie walking past where the gallery I exhibitied in use to be...not there anymore for some reason! Also past an art shop where I got some french brand paints that I need for Hamilton. Well they don't really need to be french brand. Home for a rest and out to the promonade for tea and walk.... homemade, proscioutto and rockmelon, then tomato /buffelo mozzerella salad with bagette and topped off with creme brulee. #

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Nice chill day 22nd June 2016

Today we just felt like a relax day in Nice. The vibe in the city today was one of celebration as there is a Sweden vs Belgium euro soccer game being played in Nice today. Jim would have liked to have gone but it is sold out as the stadium only holds 35000. There were a lot of people dressed in yellow (Sweden)and red (Belgium) sitting and walking in groups all singing their songs and dancing and  having a jolly good time. We had a walk up the hill for a view over Nice and then Jim was on the lookout for a place broadcasting the state of origin.  As we wandered the famous flower market we happened upon an Irish pub/sports bar that had the game live inside in room 4! Jim was a happy man!  There were 15 aussies gathered , only 3 of us Queenslanders and the rest Blues. The  staff in the pub were surprised at how intense we aussies became about the game and had a fun time watching us. Suffice to say most of those gathered were not happy with the results !....but we were! After the game we headed to a specialty coffee place. It was so nice to sit and have a decent coffee with textured milk. We then did some shopping and wandered home and later found a very good restaurant nearby with delicious food. Continuing the sport themed day we watched the soccer game before bed. #

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Monaco & Villefranche 21st June 2016

We talked to Carlie and Joel on messenger this morning, so got a bit of a late start but headed for Monaco.  We started at the gardens then the casino watching the massarattis and porches drive by. We walked around the harbour to catch the changing of the guard at the palace which had been cancelled last time I was here with Lyndie due to rain. We then sat down for lunch at a restaurant in the old town, probably the same one Lynd and I had lunched at but I can't be absolutely sure. We then went to the Vintage car museum to see Prince Rainers extensive collection of cars.  Back on the bus to Villefranche sur mer to show Jim this cutest of seaside villages. Back in Nice we walked around the port and back along the promonade to home. The promonade has a lot of games happening due to the soccer euro comp.eg soccer billiards, soccer ping pong, and other strange things. We rested at home then ate some tea on the promonade as the sun set. #

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Eze 20th June 2016

We bought bfst from the bakery Lynd and I frequented this morning plus some cereal from the grocery store. We headed out to explore the antique market in the old town. This is only on once a week the rest of the week its a flower food market. We caught the bus to Eze travellung along the grande corniche which gives wonderful views of the coast below. We had a nicoise salad lunch in Eze at a little cafe Wanita and I had been to where they give you olives and oils to try. I went into the cactus garden at the top while Jim explored the rest of Eze. We caught the bus home then went down to the beach. Jim went for a swim(you can see him far right coming out of the water, in photo) and I at least put togs on, but the water was much too cold even Jim thought so! In the evening we went for a stroll along the promonade. #

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Drive to Nice 19th June 2016

Bfst at the B and B near Port Grimaud then we took the slower coast road toward Nice. The most scenic section being st Rapheal to Cannes around a peninsular with lots of craggy rocks and bays. Driving through Cannes we saw the red carpet of the Canne Film festival  building and the very impressive Carlton hotel . We pulled up in Antibes for lunch of mussells and frites(chips). We filled the petrol tank and dropped the car at the airport in Nice before catching a local bus to our hotel just behind The Negresso building,a famous landmark in Nice. We got there about 3pm and settled in before going out for a walk around the city toward our destination , an english speaking church service. The one Lyndie and I had found last time we were in Nice for my artist residency. There was a visiting american preacher who was excellant but a very small congregation, about 30 people in all. #

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St Tropez 18th June 2016

Bfst at the B and B Le Mazet der Mures  then  longish walk to catch a boat to St tropez. A lovely 20 min trip on the water.We landed amongst the ritziest of yachts that drawfed the city buildings. We walked to a huge market where we did some shopping. Then up the hill to the citedal for a market nought lunch. We looked for wifi in a cafe but lucked out and got the time of the return boat wrong and had to wait another hour . so we chilled at the beach . Julie dipped her feet in the freezing water. Boat hone and had a rest before heading to old Grimaud on the hill for dinner.

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Aix en Provence 17th June 2016

We had our last bfst at Les Trois Sources(the three springs) and headed for The coast  stopping on the way at Aix en Provence. At Aix we got on the little tourist town and dud the 40min  tour. Then we walked to 2 art museums to see some Matisse , Monet, Picasso but mainly Camion from the  fauvist movement but not too weird colourwise as the other known Fauvists.  We had a bagette and pastry on the fountain in the main street then exited Aix with many wrong turns and made our way to  pont Grimays arriving around 5.30pm. We walked a long way to Port Grimard for a lovely dinner.with complimentary fois gras and a great mouldy cheese while we waited for main course. #

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More Luberon Villages 16th June 2016

It rained overnight so bfst was served in the dining room a beautiful stone room with high ceiling , plants and fireplace.  Today was a bit if a rest day but we did go to 3 nearby villages, Lacoste, Goult where we got a bit drenched in rain but saw some lively antique shops, then Menerbes where we had some top class food and a creme brulee to top it off. 2 separate couples had their dogs in the restaurant with them and noone batted an eyelid. One little dog was even sitting on the seat beside the owner.  We headed home with a bought tea of crepes and pastry. We enjoyed our last remaining time at this b and b.
One funny story is how Jim was able to rescue his shirt that blew out the window into the roof below using 3 of my bras tied together to hook onto the coathanger it was hanging on. #

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Luberon Villages 15th June 2016

Bfst at the B and b didnt start till 9am. We sat in the courtyard under a huge ancient white mulberry tree .We ate some as they must be in season but alas it is not fig season quite yet.  After breaky we chose a few of the many picturesque villages to visit. The first was Ilse Sur Le Sorgue which has a sort of moat surrounding it.  We bought a large quilt and a shirt for Jim. Then on to the next village of Gordes set on the side of a cliff. We had a boulangerie lunch in the square. Next up was the village of Rousillon also up on a cliff but this time the cliffs were red and orange ochre in colour. I bought a scarf! And we had a gelato.On the way home we stopped in at Chataeu de Canagues which is just round the corner from where we are stayi g and is where they filmed A Good Life with  Russell Crowe. We saw the terrace and house from the outside but you cant go inside . It has a wine shop nearby but we just wanted to look at the house. I now want to watch the film again? We had tea at Bonnieux in a stone vaulted room. #

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Drive to the Luberon 14th June 2016

This morning were heading through lavender land, the plains of Valensole.We had breakfast of croissants at Manosque with a wander around the old town. Then on to Apt for lunch again a wander around the old town. I'm starting to lose track of what photos I took where!  We then drove to our b and b in a rural setting outside Bonnieux in the Luberon region which we will explore over the next few days. The b and b is a large old building that was once a hospital and church. It is old and farmy and a dream to be able to stay in with lovely views out our window to th2 villages . Lots of loaded Cherry trees in the carpark that were begging to be picked! We met an english couple staying here so was nice to talk english with someone instead of trying to fumble our way through the few french words we know. After a rest we headed into Bonnieux for another wander and found some art gallerys with lovley art and a gelato shop also begging ! Then dinner which was the best food of our trip so far. Photos lavender field near B and B, views from bathroom window, and the buildings and courtyard of B And B. #

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