Sheep, goats and rabbits...in Monaco

No, you are not at the wrong place... there really are sheep, goats and rabbits in Monaco. This is a small area in the Parc Princesse Antoinette - the children's garden.

I believe part of the late Prince Rainier's infamous zoo below le rocher has been turned into a petting zoo for children and happily some of the wild animals sent to Africa - a couple or so years ago two leopards, Pitou and Sirius, were released into the wilds of Africa by by conservationist Virginia McKenna. Sadly, Pitou was killed by a puff adder in January this year.

Recycling

Plastic bottles into flowers...

Here's another 'tree' created by children from one of the kindergartens in Monaco and on display in the Parc Princesse Antoinette.

Ladies who Lunch...

...at La Note Bleue on Larvotto Beach.

Emma's Dream

We're back at the Princess Antoinette Park which is a children's garden and where today its paths are lined with mysterious trees.

Each 'tree' has been decorated by children from the various kindergartens around the Principality.

This tree addresses children's life and dreams - you see Emma's in the last photo:

'Life is when I run with my brothers below where I live. It's super! I would like to drive a beautiful black Ferrari such as you often see in Monaco.'

And she probably will...

A Roof Garden

This roof garden overlooks le rocher - you can see - in the distance - the Oceanographic Museum on the left and the cathedral on the right. In the middle ground you see the crenellations of the Palace.

The photo foreshortens everything - in fact there is a big space between this garden and le rocher. I took it on a long zoom from just below the Jardin Exotique which is even further away.

The Old Bell

This bell hangs outside the Cathedral on le rocher. It came from the old church of Saint Nicolas which was built in 1484 and was rung in celebration in 1641 when Prince Honoré II expelled the Spanish garrison and so liberated Monaco.

Bling

If you don't want to wear glittery high heels on your feet, you can always wear them on the t-shirt.

The Carabinier's Smart Car

A Smart car belonging to the Prince's Carabiniers - as you can see it's electric and is 'charging' at a docking station opposite the Palace.

Monaco Grand Prix - the Big Clean-Up

Immediately the Monaco Grand Prix is over, work begins to dismantle the stands.

The main photo shows the Pit Lane on the far left. In both photos you can see the outside tables of restaurants that are facing the port although no one can see the boats with all the steel in the way.

These photos were taken a week ago so probably the majority has already been cleared away by now.

Fooling the Eye...

Trompe l'oeil on le rocher. False window, false bougainvillea...

At the base of this wall is a restaurant's outdoor seating.

Sainte Cecile

On le rocher, look up and you might see this. Isn't she lovely...

The Fete Day of the Roman martyr, Sainte Cecile is celebrated on the 22nd November in Monaco. Sainte Cecile is often considered to be the patron saint of musicians.

The charming marble sculpture is by the artist Ange Zagoni.

The Old Well

This lovely old well stands in the gardens of Monaco's new National Museum, Villa Paloma.

Villa Paloma - the Pirate

This jolly Johnny Depp type stands outside the newly restored Villa Paloma, which is now the National Museum of Monaco. It's simply called 'Pirate Untitled 2008.'

He's overlooking Port Hercule and to the right le rocher. To his left is Cap Martin and beyond that Menton and Italy.

(Forgive me, I forgot to note the name of the sculptor and will add this at a later date. If anyone knows, do please jot me a comment or email.)

Doorway

A pretty entrance on Boulevard du Jardin Exotique.

A Curtain of Bougainvillea

The Parc Princesse Antoinette is a garden for children high up in Monaco - it's near the Jardin Exotique and the new national museum of Monaco, the Villa Paloma.

This sculpture is almost hidden in the bougainvillea - there's a curtain of it along another wall. This is not my favourite colour bougainvillea - others love it. I find the colour too strident, too harsh when there are beautiful soft reds and apricots available. No matter - it's the toughest variety which is doubtless why it's used so much in the south of France, Italy and Monaco.

La Turbie - Play Time

One of the great things about medieval villages is that the streets are too narrow for cars, so children can play freely.

La Turbie - A restored village

La Turbie is a totally different sort of village to Gorbio, where I live. You won't find many ruins. It's much more restored and everywhere you'll see pots and plants and even handsome young men...

La Turbie - Under Construction

If you are doing any construction work in the medieval village of La Turbie, then watch out as you carry old doors through the narrow streets. La Turbie stands at over 500 metres on the Grande Corniche above Monaco.

Please click here to view thumbnails for all participants in this month's theme of Under Construction.

La Turbie

Let's leave the chaos of the Grand Prix for a few days and pop up to La Turbie, the charming medievale village above Monaco. La Turbie is best known for its extraordinary Trophée des Alpes, a sixth-century monument to the power of Rome but more of that another time...

So often, people think of La Turbie simply as an exit off the autoroute - the one between the Monaco and Menton exits. As you can see, it's so much more than that...

La Rose des Vents

Looks like pretty girls with great legs work at La Rose des Vents restaurant on Larvotto.

Monaco Grand Prix - Today's the Day!

Enjoy the race everyone!

Through the Rigging...

The port is a long way from the Casino yet look up, through the rigging of a yacht - a zoom lens helps - and there it is.

Monaco Grand Prix - Opting Out

Of course, if you are fed up with the Grand Prix crowds and the noise you could always lie back and enjoy the sunshine on Larvotto Beach.

I'm not going to the Grand Prix this year but of course I'll be glued to the television as I am for every Grand Prix throughout the year. If you are in Monaco, enjoy... and if you are not, enjoy... should be a great race.

Monaco Grand Prix - the Human Resources

Here's the list of human resources needed for the race...

650 Marshals
120 Professional Firefighters
30 Reanimation Doctors
40 Doctors (30 on the circuit, 10 for the spectators)
46 Nurses (30 on the circuit, 16 for the spectators)
250 Paramedics (80 on the track, 170 for the spectators)

The Pit Lane and Yesterday's Fire at Ste. Devote

This lady is walking along the pit lane which, as of yesterday, was nose to tail with the team trucks.

In the smaller photo you can see a clearer shot of the pit lane with the stands opposite that house the television crews with the gallery above for the VIPs. In the background is le rocher.

Yesterday afternoon a truck caught fire at the Ste. Devote roundabout. The tyres exploded and the area was filled with thick black smoke. The fire brigade got it under control but the tarmac was been badly burned and the truck had sunk into the road with the heat. The track surface is now undergoing urgent repairs. Reports say this could mean that this famous first corner after the start will be very slippy as there won't have been enough time for the tarmac to 'seep' or set - indeed it could even break up with so many cars running on it during the practice sessions, the qualifying and of course the race itself.

To see photos and read more, click on THIS LINK.

Monaco Grand Prix - a Swim Behind Bars

In two or three days, we'll be hearing Formula 1 cars screeching past the pool at Port Hercule but for the moment you can still take a swim, even though you are behind bars.

Monaco Grand Prix - Reflection

This reflection, on a very shiny motorbike, shows a small boat being hoisted, ready to enter the water.

Port Hercule is buzzing with activity at the moment as the massive super yachts arrive for the Grand Prix - only a few days to go now...

Monaco Grand Prix - Polishing the Yacht

It's not just the stands that have to be built - the yachts have to be polished...

This lovely boat is called Baboon and is registered in Hamilton.

Monaco Grand Prix - Conversation between Bikers

Maybe this guy has come to the wrong Grand Prix? No matter ... the policeman, as always, is very helpful and anyway, take at look at the bikes in the smaller photo, one of which is his. He probably enjoys chatting with another biker.

The stand in the background overlooks the swimming pool - behind it: Port Hercule.