Le Rocher

Taken just after 7 a.m. yesterday on the way to Monaco from Menton. I stopped the car, Roquebrune village is way up to my right - this is the view from the road, zoomed in on the Rock.

The tall building you see is the Oceanographic Museum. Click on the link to see this beautiful building from the other side.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 11

Remember Marlon Brando - and his leather jacket - in The Wild One? A 1953 movie that was banned in Britain for 18 years. As I walked up the hill from the port towards Casino square, I snapped this leather-clad couple, deep in conversation leaning over a wall, half hidden in vegetation.

Black and white or colour? In the end I felt colour shows better her beautiful skin - I like the contrast of skin, leather and palms. Richard's comment (Zurich Daily Photo) convinced me to change it. So here are both versions.

Monaco Grand Prix - The Television Screen

Monte Carlo is slowly being surrounded by its annual ring of steel in preparation for the Monaco Grand Prix, and prior to that, the Grand Prix Historique. This enormous steel structure is for the massive television screen which can be seen by the spectators in the stands around the port area, which is to our right. They get the race twice - before their very eyes and on this screen, which gives all the technical detail they might need.

The road behind the barrier to the left is Avenue d'Ostende which is the part of the track that runs steeply uphill from the port (and the Start/Finish line) to Casino Square.

Phoning home?

This man is working way above the Grimaldi Forum - that's the light green building you can just see in the small photograph. I haven't a clue what he's fixing. Does anyone know?

The Grimaldi Forum is where the beautiful exhibition - The Grace Kelly Years - was held last year.

Theme Day: Numbers

Vroom-vroom! Monte Carlo is madly busy preparing for the 66th Monaco Grand Prix and so this sign - one of many you see around the track - seems appropriate for today's Theme. If you'd like more numbers take a look at the small photo (click to enlarge) - it shows numbered parts for the massive stands currently under construction in the Principality.

Today, being the first of the month, it's City Daily Photo Theme Day with 181 different cities taking part.Please click here to view thumbnails for all participants where you'll find originality and beautiful photographs waiting to delight you.

Painters' Perks

Painting one of the beach showers on Larvotto Beach. These guys seemed very happy in their work...

The Red Bicycle

Larvotto Beach - morning

"Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows."

- John Betjeman

Morning Grace

Early morning, walking along the promenade above Larvotto Beach and the light is just catching this sculpture of Princess Grace. The statue was created by Livia Canestraro and her husband, Stephaan Depuydt in 2004.

Chef's Perks

In the small photograph (click to enlarge) you can see the context of the main photograph. A group of young chefs taking a break at the back of the Café de Paris.

Larvotto Life

Is he simply doing a 'stretch' and thinking of nothing but the physical feeling? Or is he deep in thoughts of his life? Maybe he just waiting for breakfast.

It took me a while to decide whether or not to crop this photo. I tried it cropped but preferred the sense of space - showing he was alone on this deck - and I didn't want to cut the shadows.

Chaos in the Principality

The flags for the Masters Series represent only part of the chaos in Monaco today. President Sarkozy of France flies in by helicopter at noon for lunch with Prince Albert, and will then visit the Oceanographic Museum, which is closed to the public all day. He leaves at 5.

Meanwhile, the tennis draws capacity crowds - Federer plays Nalbandian and Nadal plays Ferrer today. Go Raffa! And work continues throughout the Prinicipality for the Grand Prix in May.

It's virtually impossible to get in and out of Monaco - police have closed many of the roads for Sarkozy.

I had a vet's appointment in Cap d'Ail to get my dog's teeth cleaned - had to cancel. Beau doesn't mind! Think he's about the only person (whoops, dog) who doesn't.

Ahoy there!

At the far eastern end of Larvotto Beach is an area where you see young children playing. I think it's probably a properly run nursery for kids - babies, toddlers and upwards. It operates in the mornings.

Monaco Grand Prix - Flower delivery

Everyday life at Port Hercule - and all part of the preparation for the Monaco Grand Prix - and also the Masters Series tennis which is on at the moment. Here you see a crew member taking delivery of a flower arrangement.

Monaco Grand Prix - Tyre protection

More Grand Prix preparation. Old tyres everywhere - lining the route, against the walls and barriers - these protect the drivers, of course, in case of a crash.

I wonder why some are painted red and some are not? Does anyone know?

Monaco Grand Prix - Painting the Yacht

It's not just the stands that have to be constructed. The yachts arrive in port and naturally enough they need to be prepared too. I'm not sure if this man is on cleaning, repairing or paint duty.

The smaller photograph gives you an idea of the size of this yacht - click on the photo to enlarge. You can see this crew member way down the far end.

Monaco Grand Prix - The Bolt Carrier

This young man's job is to deliver materials to other workers, such as those we saw yesterday. He's carrying what appears to be bolts (probably the wrong word) that secure one piece of scaffolding to another,

He doesn't look too happy, does he? Although later, he did give me the briefest smile.

Monaco Grand Prix - Construction

This is dangerous work. You can see the height of this particular stand in the small photograph. Click on it to enlarge.

There are many stands to be constructed and all are temporary - put up each year specially for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Monaco Grand Prix - Preparations

Perhaps the biggest date on the Monaco calendar is the Monaco Grand Prix. This year it will be held on the 22 - 25 May, with the Historique Grand Prix earlier - 10 - 11 May.

As you can see, the preparations are well under way - here the port is filled with all the paraphernalia needed to construct the massive stands.

This is the first of a series where we'll see how the Principality prepares for this prestigious event.

Same but different

This is the same beach you saw yesterday but taken from the other end and so, of course, facing the other way. Today we are looking towards Italy. The area you see jutting out to sea in the distance is Roquebrune-cap-Martin. The other side of Cap Martin, you'll find Menton and then Italy.

Beach in waiting

We've had rain, on and off for a couple of weeks - more on than off. But yesterday was glorious - so is today. This is Larvotto Beach at 9.30 a.m. yesterday. I almost felt I was on holiday...

The massive cruise liner in port is the Sinfonia. You can see another photo of her by clicking on the link.

Parc Sacha Guitry - 1

Cap d'Ail adjoins Monaco. There are no borders - it's simply a question of one street is in Monaco and one is in Cap d'Ail, which is a commune of beauty, charm and wondrous Belle Epoque villas. Here we are in this lovely park, which is next to the villa that belonged to the celebrated writer and actor, Sacha Guitry, who died in 1957.

"A man must marry only a very pretty woman in case he should ever want some other man to take her off his hands" - Sacha Guitry

Sacha Guitry was five times married, which might explain the quotation.

A view of the Cathedral

Taken from the port of Fontvieille, you can see Monaco's beautiful cathedral on le Rocher. A view of the front of this building can be seen by clicking on the link.

It is here that Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married and are buried.

Aurora

Meet Aurora. How beautiful a name is that! Aurora is a professional dog handler from Padua in Italy - visiting the Principality for the Monaco Dog Show. She is such a dog enthusiast and when she realised I was interested in photographing rare breeds for Riviera Dogs she kept bringing more and more unusual dogs into an empty ring for me. 'I bet you don't know this one,' she'd say. And I didn't. She also introduced me to the dogs' proud owners.

Here you see her after the show, waiting for her transportation in Fontvieille with two Pugs, a French bulldog, a Griffon Bruxellois (front left) and a Petit Brabancon (front right). For a bigger and different version of the dogs, please click on the link above.

Aurora is the best sort of dog handler, enthusiastic, loves the dogs yet handles them in a calm and professional manner. Hardly surprising as she's won an enormous amount of Junior Handling Awards. She also speaks perfect English. Click on her name to see her website.

Noeud - Kim Hamisky

This bench - The Knot - is featured in a Sculpture Walk in Fontvieille. I love sculptures you can sit on, touch, enjoy.

If you like sculptures you'll be spoiled for choice in Monte Carlo - they are everywhere! This will be the 70th featured on this blog, although around 30 of the 70 were in the Expo in the Casino Gardens and so are not now on view - except just one, which has been installed in the Principality.

There are so many scultpures in Monaco and sometimes I feel like Sherlock Holmes trying to find them, because the powers-that-be move them around from time to time. No easy feat when you consider the weight of a large bronze.

The Knot is by the Vietnamese-born artist Kim Hamisky and was created in 1987.

Monte Carlo Gentlemen - 4

Eye candy for the ladies. Standing in front of the Hermès shop, which is just along from the Casino, how could I not notice this divine looking guy?

And if you're not into dishy men with long hair and irresistible smiles, take a look at the lamppost - it's beautiful too!

No fishermen?

Gone fishing! And who owns the rods? As you'll see in the smaller photograph, the family is having a picnic, with a wonderful view of the Oceanographic Museum on le Rocher. Just a little further along is where I stood to take the large photograph of the museum - shown HERE.

Do I win? Do I? Do I?

The Monaco Dog Show draws exhibitors from all over Europe. It's held in the Chapiteau (circus tent) in Fontvieille. Click on the link to see this beautiful tent from outside. Not so easy to photograph inside tho.

Here you see one of the judges about to assess the qualities of a French bulldog. Did she win? She's doing her very best to impress, isn't she? I don't know if she won or not but as all dog exhibitors know, win or lose, they take the best dog home.

Every day you'll find - on Riviera Dogs - different breeds seen at the Monaco Dog Show. Yesterday: a gorgeous pair of Bloodhounds - today a little apricot-coloured Poodle, prepared and 'Ready for my close-up, Mr. de Mille' moment. Just click on the link to see them and drool ---- whoops, that's the Bloodhounds drooling, not you.

'Grande Carpe' - Francois-Xavier Lalanne

This fishy welcome to the beautiful port of Fontvieille was sculpted in 1996. It stands at the entrance to the port on land that was once sea. All of Fontvieille was once sea.

You can read an article published in the International Herald Tribune on this artist and his wife.

Musée Oceanographique - 3

It wasn't until yesterday that I realised you could get a shot of the Oceanographic Museum from this angle. Just shows what you discover if you let your feet wander. I walked up steps and then way along the far end of Fontvieille port, hoping for a better shot of the Cathedral which is to the left of this building - and suddenly there, before me, was the museum. We'll see the cathedral another time. We are looking up at le Rocher, where you also find the Prince's Palace.

I've written about this amazing museum before but it bears mentioning again. Founded by Prince Albert 1, it was inaugurated in 1910. It's a museum of marine sciences and not to be missed when visiting Monaco. The building rises majestically from the sea to a height of 279 feet and took 11 years to build, using 100,000 tons of stone from La Turbie, a village high above Monte Carlo. Part of the museum is dedicated to Albert 1, who was a major navigator. Here you'll find his laboratory ships and collections of marine fauna including a skeleton from a 66-foot whale.

The famous Jacques Cousteau was director of the museum for many years.

In the basement, you will find the world-famous aquarium with its extraordinary show of marine flora and fauna. With 4,000 species of fish and over 200 families of invertebrates, the aquarium is now an authority on the presentation of the Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystem.

And the winner is...for the result of The Great Monte Carlo Swimming Pool Quiz please click on the link.

St.-Jean-cap-Ferrat

Taken from just below the Parc Sacha Guitry in Cap d'Ail (we'll visit this lovely garden) here's a view of St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. If you follow the peninsula around, back towards us, you can see a more built-up area just at the right hand edge of the photograph - that is Beaulieu-sur-Mer with its beautiful Belle Epoque villas.

At Cap Ferrat you'll find some of the most expensive real estate in the south of France. Many famous people have lived or stayed here. Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild built an opulent and exquisite Tuscan-style palazzo, known as the Villa Ephrussi de Rothshild. David Niven lived here. Somerset Maughan lived in his famous Villa Mauresque. Others who owned estates here or visited include Charlie Chaplin, Sir Winston Churchill, Isadora Duncan, King Leopold II of Belgium.

And it still attracts the rich and famous.

Tomorrow: the answer to The Great Monte Carlo Swimming Pool Quiz. If you've not yet entered, there's time to do so!

The Great Monte Carlo Swimming Pool Quiz

If you are a Monaco Grand Prix fan, you'll know the swimming pool by the main port of Monte Carlo. A few days ago it was being filled (as you can see in these photographs) - ready for the season - ready for the visitors - ready for Sally from Sydney Daily Photo who will be swimming in it when she visits in June. So the question is - how long does it take to fill this pool? First correct answer gets a postcard from Monte Carlo. Results: Monday.

And the winner is: Thanks so much to everyone for the guesses. Well, it should come as no surprise that the winner is someone who knows about swimming pools, indeed has a blog about swimming pools. Of course, it's Sally from Sydney Daily Photo who guessed it exactly. I was told it took between 5 and 6 hours to fill and Sally guessed 5.5 hours. I have to say, had I not seen the many jets filling the pool and the rate at which it was filling, like many others, I'd have guessed days rather than hours. Some of you took this into account but guessed slightly below the correct time. Postcard will soon be on its way to you, Sally, and the pool is now ready for you and your family in June!

Tree trunks?

Villa Les Roses was built in 1910. The photograph below shows another entrance to this lovely house in Cap d'Ail.

Notice the gate posts above. They appear to be tree trunks but are, in fact, fashioned in concrete. You see this on terraces in the south of France. Instead of wrought iron railings or carved balustrades, you have what look like criss-crossed branches of trees but are actually concrete made to look like wood.

A glimpse through the trees...

This is such a typical Riviera view especially when taken - as this is - in Cap d'Ail, which adjoins Monaco. These same sort of views, same beautiful houses, same wonderful trees are to be seen at Beaulieu, just a little further along the coast towards Nice - or at Cap Martin near to Menton.

I had to take my dog to the vet this morning in Cap d'Ail. Afterwards, a short stroll with a friend who lives there - plus our dogs - and here, a glimpse through the trees of that Riviera view.

Purple Pansies

Monaco gardeners planting pansies outside the Casino and just in front of the Sky Mirror installation by Anish Kapoor. To see the full glory of this installation, please click on the link.

This beautiful garden is never allowed to look less than pristine and on the day I took this photograph, I saw at least 8 gardeners hard at work, replanting various beds.

Theme Day: Water

Tulips by one of the fountains in the gardens opposite the Casino in Monte Carlo.

Today is Theme Day with 179 other cities taking part. Do click on their links below to see how other bloggers have interpreted the theme of water. There are many wonderful and inspired photographs - do go visit.

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Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Gordio, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Reina Mariana

This is Queen Mariana, sculpted in 2004 by Manolo Valdés, the well-known Spanish artist who lives in New York. You can glimpse, in the background, Botero's Adam and Eve, which we'll visit another day. These beautiful statues are in the gardens at the back of the Casino.

(Taken with my old camera - Canon Ixus 850 IS)

Dreams to dream

The port of Monaco: always something to see - always dreams to dream.