Monaco Grand Prix - No Pedestrian Crossing

Preparations for the Monaco Grand Prix means the road, which of course becomes the race track, has been re-surfaced - hence these school kids are walking across a pedestrian crossing that at the moment isn't!  You can see where the lines have been drawn to eventually paint in the white zebra stripes.

Scene at Larvotto Beach

Perhaps the guy in the background is calling her!

Lanvin boxes

Rubbish outside the Lanvin shop in Casino Square.

Aren't they nice boxes!   If I hadn't been laden with camera and bag, I'd have brought them home to use as shoe boxes (which presumably they are) or to file something.

Czarina

Czarina's window in the Winter Sporting.

Covered in green

Women are obviously covering their faces this spring ...

Monte Carlo Railway Station 2

Doubtless a boring photo if you live in Monaco and know the railway station,  but if not, here it is.

Monte Carlo Railway Station

Monte Carlo railway station.

Hotel de Paris, Monaco

A welcome over the entrance to the Hotel de Paris in Casino Square.

Like the Jacket!

I want that jacket!

People and phones

Metropole Centre

With their eyes fixed on their phones, people are so easy to snap these days.

Fit and Zen

Keeping fit.  This lady is running along Avenue d'Alsace, which is opposite the entrance to Monaco's railway station - but is in Beausoleil, and therefore France.

Breakfast Meeting

Marble floors, marble walls, a sweeping staircase, a towering plant pot, beautiful art on the walls - this is the cafe on the lowest floor of the Metropole centre.  A good place for a breakfast business meeting.

Red Tulips

Red tulips in front of the casino.

Personal Trainer

Push ...

Monte Carlo Dogs

If you want to meet people, buy a dog!

Life's a Beach

It could be a desert island, couldn't it? In fact, it's Larvotto Beach in Monaco.

Dichotomy

Dichotomy in the Metropole Centre.

Walk on the beach

It's getting nearer to beach weather at Larvotto.

Surprise encounter ...

Fancy seeing you here!

Reflections in the Metropole Centre

Reflections in the Metropole Centre.

Combat Naval Fleuri - our Last Day

A cheeky 'goodbye' from Villefranche-Sur-Mer.

Combat Naval Fleuri - the Day's Haul

It's the end of the day, the Naval Battle of the Flowers is over and this young man has quite a haul of mimosa and carnations to take home.

Combat Naval Fleuri - Concentration

Such concentration on the face of a child. She's looking at the many flowers that are floating in the sea after the Naval Battle of the Flowers in Villefranche-Sur-Mer.

Ferrari watching ...

You'd think, with all the Ferraris you see in Monaco and along the Cote d'Azur that people would ignore  them.  Not so. Everyone eating in the celebrated La Mere Germaine in Villefranche-Sur-Mer  is intrigued by either the car or the driver.

Another Red Lady

This is a photo I took in March 2011 at the Fete du Citron in Menton - almost the same outfit as the 'red lady' yesterday - different performer. 

Combat Naval Fleuri - the Red Lady

Maybe she needs a manicure?

Combat Naval Fleuri - Mimosa Man!

Sometimes you take a photo and don't notice the detail until you see it on screen - like this guy's mischievous eyes ...

Combat Naval Fleuri - Lunch for Three

Quite rightly, the beautiful golden retriever is welcome at this restaurant in the port of Villefranche-Sur-Mer.

Combat Naval Fleuri - the Music!

Here comes the music!

Combat Naval Fleuri - Siesta

For some people it all got too much - time for a siesta.

Combat Naval Fleuri - the Woman in Red

You never known who might sit down next to you at a carnival!

Combat Naval Fleuri - the Feminine Side

Don't you just love a policeman with a sprig of mimosa in his hand?

Combat Naval Fleuri - Gratuitous cuteness

Gratuitous cuteness at the Combat Naval Fleuri ...

Combat Naval Fleuri - Thirsty Work ...

Thirsty work ...

Combat Naval Fleuri - 'My little dog ...'

'My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.'  ~ Edith Wharton

Combat Naval Fleuri - the Girls!

It wouldn't be a festival in France without the girls!

Combat Naval Fleuri - Time for Lunch

This is a photo I took earlier in the day.  The boats are decorated and ready for the 'battle' which starts at 14h.30.

So ... time for lunch.  Pretty spectacular view, wouldn't you say?

Combat Naval Fleuri - Mimosa Hair-Do

Don't you love that this lady is getting in the mood with her hair decoration, whilst waiting for the Naval Battle of the Flowers at Villefranche-sur-Mer to begin?

Combat Naval Fleuri - Missed!

Missed!

Combat Naval Fleuri - the Young Man

No explanation needed. Just a beautiful young man to brighten our day, along with the mimosa.  Happy weekend everyone ...

Combat Naval Fleuri - the Battle

The battle isn't really a battle!  It's mostly people collecting flowers to take home with them! Just a few of the kids throw the flowers back at the boats. And lots end up in the sea.

Combat Naval Fleuri - the Gorilla

The sun shone and the gorilla had the best seat in the house!  What a fabulous day in Villefranche sur Mer, with my friend Sylvie, for the Combat Naval Fleuri (Naval Battle of the Flowers).  The boats (these are called pointu) take off for a parade around the port.

Later the battle begins ...