07 February 2011
Circus! - Monsieur Loyal
Our last day at the Monte Carlo's Festival of Circus and all the fabulous artistes including the Ringmaster, Petit Gougou as Monsieur Loyal, wave us goodbye. Thanks so much to everyone who enjoyed the spectacle with me.
Tomorrow - the Principality prepares for the royal wedding...
06 February 2011
Circus! - 'Les Clowns en Folie'
05 February 2011
Circus! - Dancing on Lightbulbs
04 February 2011
Circus! - the Tightrope Walkers
03 February 2011
Circus! - Bello Nock
Bello Nock was brilliant. He was one of only two acts to be awarded the Golden Clown by the Jury of Monte Carlo's Festival of Circus. The last time he appeared at the Monte Carlo Circus in 1998, he won the Silver Clown.
He did all the usual clown things with a trampoline - but better - and then he rode the 'Wheel of Death' but as if he couldn't do it, almost falling off, terrified etc and it was all very funny - and scary.
On the night of the Awards, HSH Prince Albert wore a wig identical to Bello Nock's. Oh yes, the Royals in Monaco get in the swing of things and especially the circus which they love. (Click on the link)
Time magazine named Bello Nock, the best American clown. They were right!
02 February 2011
Circus! - the Russian Models of Troupe Khubaev
01 February 2011
The Dragon Fountain
This dragon breathes water, rather than fire. You can find him in the Casino gardens.
The intention had been to photograph an elephant peeing (it's veritable fountain!) and I duly waited two hours by the elephant enclosure at the circus but no joy...the things we do for Theme Day! These are photos I took last summer with my old camera.
To see how other bloggers around the world have interpreted today's 'fountains' theme please click here to view thumbnails for all participants.
Tomorrow: back to the Circus!
31 January 2011
Circus! - The White Birds
30 January 2011
Circus! - les Pompiers de Paris
29 January 2011
Circus! - the Chinese Acrobats on Bicycles
28 January 2011
Circus! - the Tigers of Flavio Togni
Tiger, tiger... the beautiful tigers of Flavio Togni's Amercan Circus.
The first photo was taken one morning and the second at the show on Wednesday night. I always have mixed feelings seeing wild animals perform tricks although I understand that via zoos and circuses many more of these wonderful animals are alive. These tigers are in wonderful condition, play like kittens and seem to enjoy performing.
Flavio Togni is one of the world's leading animals trainers - he owns the elephants, the camels and the horses at this show - and he was one of only two acts this year to receive the most prestigious prize, the Golden Clown, presented by Prince Albert. (The other winner was my favourite act and we'll meet him another day).
27 January 2011
Circus! - the Balancing Act
Last night a friend invited me to the 35th Festival International du Cirque in Monte Carlo - and it was fabulous!
This is Roman Kapersky, a Russian 'equilibriste' who was, as you see, pretty amazing.
The prestigious awards given at the festival are called Clowns. There is the Bronze Clown, the Silver Clown and the Gold Clown. Roman was a delighted recipient of the Bronze Clown presented to him by Pauline Ducret, the eldest daughter of Princess Stephanie of Monaco who is the President of the Festival.
More tomorrow...
26 January 2011
Circus! - A Day in the Life...
An elephant with two trunks! Feet covered in sand. In the main photo and the smaller one, the elephants are in their pen by the sea, waiting on food as per yesterday's photos.
In the photo below, they were about to go into the big tent for a rehearsal. It was fabulous to be so near to them with no barrier between us. They had been standing around waiting but at this point the trainer got them moving in a circle and then directed them into the tent.
Tonight I go to the circus!
25 January 2011
Circus! - the Elephants
The elephants have a large pen overlooking the sea. There is hay to eat or throw around - there are several small tree trunks to play with but they are really only interested in what the public bring them to eat. Despite a sign that says 'Don't feed the animals' they get a steady stream of carrots, apples and lots of baguettes!
24 January 2011
Circus! - the Performer
23 January 2011
Circus! - Shampoo and Blow-Dry
22 January 2011
Circus! - the Camels
21 January 2011
Circus! - the Clown
The circus is back in town! Monaco's famous International Festival of Circus is in its 35th year.
Each day the clowns board the special circus car and drive around the Principality - here's one of them, make up ready but not yet in full costume.
The Monte-Carlo International Festival of Circus is an incredibly prestigious event amongst circus folk and it is Princess Stephanie who has the final say as to which acts from around the world (comedy, acrobats and animals) will be invited to perform and compete for the various awards. Her father, the late Prince Rainier, was passionate about circus and so is the Princess. You see her around the circus all day long, chatting with the performers and trainers and making sure everyone, including the animals, are happy.
20 January 2011
Black Cat for Luck
19 January 2011
Right foot forward...
18 January 2011
Garnier's Casino
17 January 2011
Fans and Feather Boas
16 January 2011
15 January 2011
The Faux Poivrier
As you see, the rain has gone - we had glorious sun for two days (well, a part of each day) but we are now back to overcast skies - in fact more overcast than this. We are on the terraces below the Casino - it's lovely to walk here and sit under a False Pepper Tree if we want. That's Cap Martin in the background and beyond is Menton and then Italy.
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