Blake's Angels - Meet the Artist

 
Snapped at the 'vernissage' of Blake's 'Angels' collection.

Personally I think there should be a law against one man being so good looking, so charming and so talented!

Tomorrow: The Veil 

Blake's Angels - Zuriel, the Angel of Harmony

 

Last night I was lucky enough to go to the 'vernissage' of Monaco-based sculptor, Blake's latest exhibition.  Canadian-born artist Blake works in clay to produce bronze and marble sculpture that are cast or carved in Italy.

His latest collection 'Angels' is  'based on the abstraction of surface and the investigation into the interior of the human form.'

The sculpture you see here is called 'Zuriel' who is the Angel of Harmony and encourages us to be sociable and appreciate beauty.

Tomorrow - we meet the artist.

Larvotto Beach

This is Larvotto Beach taken from way up high. You can clearly see the black line of the protective jellyfish net.

The second photo shows more of the foreground. 

Remember the photo I took of patterns on the water - looked like coloured marble?   It was n fact a reflection of the building I'm currently standing in (19th floor). To take that photo I stood at the very end of the large 'T' breakwater that you see in the middle of the beach.

A Day on the Water

A group taking off from the port of Fontvieille for a day on the water - perhaps scuba diving? 

In the smaller photo they are about to pass the Oceanographic Museum.

The Heliport

We saw this area of Fontvieille the other day - the heliport landing pad in the distance.  Here's a  helicopter taking off for Nice airport - a great way to get there and back.

I understand you can check your baggage at the heliport and that's it. You don't see it again till you arrive at your final destination.

The Ship and Castle

There are several British-style pubs in Monaco.  This is the Ship and Castle in the port of Fontvieille.  Look at the pub sign - as you see, it depicts exactly where it is - below le rocher where you find the palace.

In case you wonder why it's closed - well it was only 08h.30 in the morning ...

Sky Walker

Rather him than me!  No health and safety here ... 

Note the stones on the lower part of the roof. You often see this on a roof in a hill village - we're in La Turbie today.  Normally though on an older roof than this one. Presumably to prevent tiles lifting off in high winds.

Dante in La Turbie

Don't you just love that a verse from Dante's Divine Comedy is engraved on a wall in La Turbie? 

You see this near to the post office - before you enter the Medieval village.  It speaks of the difficulties in accessing the village long ago.  I found this translation:

'Twixt Lerici and Turbia, the most desert,

The most secluded pathway is a stair

Easy and open, if compared with that.'

The tourist office of La Turbie translates it as 'The most solitary and deserted road between Lerici and La Turbie is close to this one with large and easily climbed steps”.

Dante lived from 1265 - 1321 and this was the first literary mention of La Turbie.

The other inscription, just along from Dante's is taken 'from the itinerary of Antonin, that described La Turbie as the “Alp Summa”, where Italy ended and La Gaule commenced.'

Pollution Forbidden!

We're in the village of La Turbie today - way above Monaco.

Let's hope the dog can read and if not, that his owner takes due note.  Normally small plastic bags are readily available from dispensers in the street although many dog owners carry doggy poop bags in small bone-shaped containers fixed to the dog's collar. 

I wonder why someone has written 'I love dollars' on the sign ...

The Gold Bike

You'd expect the Billionaire Club to have a gold bike, wouldn't you?

interestingly it's electric - greatly encouraged in the Principality.  We saw it yesterday from the other side - remember the wobbly buildings ...

Vroom vroom

Avenue Princesse Grace.  Vroom vroom and the buildings start to wobble ...

Time to Wake Up!

Early morning in Fontvieille harbour.  These boats are tucked up against the rocks of 'le rocher' and about to wake up for the day.  Way up above them is the Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and the Cathedral.

Lines

 In the distance, the heliport and the luxury apartments that border Cap d'Ail.  Behind us is the lighthouse we saw yesterday and steps that lead down to the port of Fontvieille. You often see people fishing along here.

The 'Green' Lighthouse

It's probably not going to change your life to know that the lighthouse at the entrance to the port of Fontvieille is powered by solar energy but anyway here it is!

Many public vehicles in Monaco are electric - so this is all part of the 'green' environment that the Prince and Monaco advocate.

People Watching ...

I was on a boat watching her. She was on another boat watching someone else ...

It's what we love to do on the Côte d'Azur and Monaco - people watch!  But then doesn't everyone everywhere?

This was taken at Plage Mala, Cap d'Ail.

Port of Fontvieille

Fontvieille is the area of Monaco reclaimed from the sea - hence the relatively new buildings.  It's 08h.00 and the light is just right and with just enough movement in the water to make the reflections interesting. 

I love walking around this little port, so much more peaceful than the main harbour, Port Hercule.

Oceanographic Museum

The Oceanographic Museum is a building I never tire of photographing.  So beautiful the way it rises out of the rocks.  There's some sort of work going on from the sea - a crane, perhaps a dredger?

And note the large seagull sitting on the small boat, doubtless waiting for a fish.

Jetski

 We've left Plage Mala and are making our way back to Menton. This guy was having the best fun on his jetski in the seas off Monaco.

Plage Mala - Paddle Boarding

This looks such fun. I wonder how easy or difficult it is to balance.

The smaller photo shows a shot of Plage Mala in the background.

Plage Mala - Splash!

Here's what happens when you jump off a paddle board for a swim.  It stays attached ...

See yesterday's PHOTO.

Plage Mala - Walking on Water

The small beach at Plage Mala is surrounded by these beautiful rocks. Just the place to do some Stand Up Paddle Boarding which seems to be the rage at the moment.

We'll see how this works tomorrow ...

Plage Mala - Rounding Cap Mala

Let's go to another beach for a change. Today, we are just along the coast at Cap d'Ail. In fact Cap d'Ail adjoins Monaco so really it's no distance. 

We're on a boat and we've rounded the headland, Cap Mala. This leads into the beautiful bay of Plage Mala.  Looking at this photo, Monaco is off to our left.

There's a beautiful coastal footpath and you can see people walking on it.  You can also see someone hanging from a tree! And note those big fat pillars at the point of the headland.  This is part of a famous villa 'Les Roches' which we'll see another day.

Hope you've got your swimming gear with you ...

The Billionaire Club

The Billionaire Club is opposite the Grimaldi Forum, owned by former Formula One boss Flavio Briattore and run by Samy from Sass' Cafe.  The night before last, Madonna, who had just finished a sell-out concert in Nice, brought her entire company along - all 150 of them. 

La Note Bleue - in context

This photo puts La Note Bleue (see yesterday) in context.  To the left of the canvas that protects the diners, is the lifeguards' lookout.  In the far distance, Port Hercule.  And if you wonder what that strange structure is in port - it looks rather like a criss-crossed upside down 'V' - it is a beautiful masted training ship from Columbia.

La Note Bleue

Dining under canvas at La Note Bleue on Larvotto Beach.

Flower Power

You never know what you'll bump into in Monaco. 

How about a couple of giant flower pots, lit up like candle holders?  These are outside La Rose des Vents restaurant on Larvotto.

Larvotto's Levels

This is a small part of the promenade above Larvotto beach. Avenue Princesse Grace is above - that's where we were yesterday.  And if you walk to the lowest level, then you are on the beach with even more restaurants.

Sass' Cafe

Sass' Cafe on Avenue Princess Grace. We saw it from the outside yesterday.  It's always packed and if you are walking along the street you have to pass through this narrow passage and hope you don't crash into a waiter.

The small photo shows one of the long tables before service.

Red at Night

The Grimaldi Forum at night - and on the far side of Avenue Princesse Grace, you see Sass Cafe - a trendy restaurant, usually full of pretty girls from eastern Europe. I've never eaten here but hear the food and service is really good and certainly the place rocks as you walk past the tables at night. It's always packed.

The Pink Rolls Royce

Only in Monte Carlo! ... a pink Rolls Royce for sale in a showroom on Avenue Princesse Grace. 

The photo was taken through dirty windows - handprints galore on the glass. Lust for a pink Rolls perhaps?