Larvotto Beach - The Early Nap

7.45 a.m. Larvotto Beach

Between the eyes of love I call your name
Behind the guarded walls I used to go
Upon a summer wind there's a certain melody
Takes me back to the place I know
Down on the beach

- Chris Rea

Larvotto Beach - The Gym

Larvotto Beach reflected in the windows of the gym.

Larvotto Beach - The Phone Call

Larvotto Beach - 7.30 a.m.

Grand Prix Historique - Race Day - 3

So many different cars - here's one beauty. I think it's a Mercedes SSK from around 1925 - 29 but if someone corrects me and tells me it's a Bugatti, I'd not be surprised.There were 230 cars at the Grand Prix Historique - some in races, some simply driven around the track in display.

In the smaller photo you see cars lining up for a race. The green car below is, I believe, a 1961 Lotus 21. In another race, Stirling Moss was driving a 1950 Fraser Nash Le Mans Replica Mk1.

After the race, and after a long walk, then a bus journey to pick up my car in Menton (you can't get near to Monaco with your own car on race days), I was listening to Riviera Radio on the way home and apparently one of the cars - a Jaguar - is worth £2,000,000!

(Thankyou so much for everyone who has visited. Apologies for not commenting over the last few days. I'm in Turin - which is fabulous! - home by the weekend)

Grand Prix Historique - On display

Here you see some of the cars on display during the days before the race.

Grand Prix Historique - Race Day - 2

You may remember the framework for the television screen - you can see it again on the left. Above and below you see that screen on race day.

See how small the screen looks tho compared to the original steel structure. It sort of gets lost amongs the buildings. Nevertheless it's exciting to watch the race twice - you see the cars whizzing up the hill to Casino Square and you also see them someone else on the racetrack on the screen.

Grand Prix Historique - Race Day - 1

Come with me to the 6th Historique Grand Prix in Monaco. I've not been before and can tell you I am now a petrol head! Just had THE best day - but now I want to share it with you.

We've been invited to lunch (thankyou, dear Jenny) and we are on the balcony of an 11th floor apartment overlooking the Start/Finish line, sipping pink champagne - what else? All these photos are taken from that balcony.

In the first photo, we see a 1935 C-Type Auto Union. Notice how little car there is in front of the driver compared to others on this collage. This is probably the rarest car of the day and I have Charlie to thank for that information. Charlie is the designer of interiors for Rolls Royce and the nicest man you hope to meet and of course, for me, a fountain of knowledge on all things to do with vintage cars.

In the second photo you see a couple of cars in a different category - perhaps a Ferrari? Sure someone will tell me. These cars were MUCH noisier...

In the third, we are leaning over the balcony - watch out, mind you don't fall (remember we are 11 floors up). Look down and we see the cars who took the first, second and third places in one of the races. The presentation is just below us but I'll show you more of that another day.

In the fourth photo - well, you see the view over the port - part of the track, one of the stands facing the famous swimming pool - which by the way, I hear is going to be moved to a new complex to be built near to the yacht club. Progress. Oh dear.

Come back for more of the day. For the moment though, let's go into the apartment where a delicious lunch awaits us.

Grand Prix Historique - A rest before unloading

This is a 1964/5 BRM (261 Model) and is owned by the charming gentleman nearest to the camera. His name is Andrew Waring. The car has just arrived, it's been pulled out of the transporter and everyone is taking a rest before the car is moved to the display area you saw yesterday.

This car, by the way, has been driven in Grand Prix races by Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill.

Later, I took a photo of the owner posing with his car but it came out too over-exposed and so I can't use it. The guy sitting behind the BRM is called Phil. I asked him later if he is the mechanic and he replied, 'Well I sort of tinker.' Isn't that lovely?

Grand Prix Historique - Arrival

This is the 6th year Monaco will hold the Grand Prix Historique. It's held every other year, whereas the Formula 1 Grand Prix is held every year, of course.

When the Historique first started, the Automobile Club of Monaco looked down on the idea and had nothing to do with it. They soon changed their minds when they saw how popular it's become and now the Club has taken over the organisation. Click on the link to read more.

Yesterday, many of the cars arrived and were then pushed to their designated place in this area, to the right of the port. It's a delight for enthusiasts - every car has its own parking bay and display sign as you see in the smaller photograph.

It's easy to know who has just arrived in Monte Carlo - look at the white legs!

Garden Club of Monaco - The Setting

The exhibition is held in the grounds of the Terrasses du Casino which is a beautiful area just below the Opera House. Sometimes it's almost too much - magnificent buildings, a plethora of trees and plants and of course, the sheer beauty of the coastline. In the top right-hand photo we are looking towards Cap Martin and beyond that, Menton and in the distance, Italy.

Garden Club of Monaco - Raku

The Garden Club of Monaco held their 41st Concours International de Bouquets last weekend - a welcome respite from the chaos of the Grand Prix preparations. This year the beautiful flower arrangements were on the subject of the Ecology. Princess Caroline opened the Concours alongside her husband, Prince Ernst of Hanover. She also acted as one of the judges. Apart from the main tents that housed the bouquets, there were many beautiful displays in the Terrasses du Casino. We'll see the overall setting tomorrow.

Here you see a stand selling beautiful Raku pottery and in the distance - Cap Martin.

The talented potter of these statuettes is Yana Frediani who lives in Mandelieu, just along the coast near to Cannes.

Lust

A Lamborghini outside the American Bar of the Hôtel de Paris. Note the number plate- this is the Monaco temporary number plate which means this is a brand new car awaiting permanent plates or has been transferred from one owner to another. These temporary number plates are given whilst the permanent ones are being made.

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.