Getting in a blue mood...

Getting in a blue mood...ready for our Theme Day on Thursday. Blue sea, blue sky - the obvious in Monte Carlo, I suppose, but tomorrow and on Theme Day, there'll be something different so do come back. Today, tho, we are on Larvotto Beach - this was taken 9 days ago - weather still warm as you see.

Hommage a Princesse Grace

This beautiful sculpture/fountain was created by Guy Lartigue in 1970 in hommage to Princess Grace of Monaco. Made of copper, brass and bronze, it stands on the eastern end of the Promenade de Larvotto, just above the beach. You can see more of this artist's work at this LINK - where you'll also find a photo of the sculpture taken at night.

Motophant

This sculpture by Arman, created in 1988, stands in the Chemin des Sculptures in the gardens of Fontvieille. Arman (Armand Pierre Fernandez) an American, was born in Nice in 1928 and died in 2005. You can read more about this celebrated artist HERE.

Pelouse pour Chiens

In the gardens of Fontvieille, there is a small fenced area reserved for dogs - a doggy toilet. See photo below. Hope the dogs can read!

Imagine

This beautiful yacht, Imagine, is currently moored in the harbour of Cap d'Ail. Below you see a guy - music while you work - cleaning the decks. You can read more about this 49 m (161 ft) yacht, which was built in Gulf Port, Mississippi, HERE. (Scroll down the page)

The tall apartment buildings you see are in Monaco (Fontvieille). The harbour is in France - Cap d'Ail.

Japanese Garden - 10

Green and blue and rocks - another shot of this wonderfully peaceful and beautiful garden with the Mediterranean in the background.

Woman smoking a cigarette

This sculpture called 'Woman Smoking a Cigarette' is by Fernando Botero and was created in 1987. It stands in the gardens of Fontvieille, near to the circus tent. Botero was born in Colombia in 1932 and is famous for his wonderful inflated shapes. Personally I adore his work. Do you?

Lunch on the beach

On Larvotto beach, in fact. Taken two days ago, the normally calm Mediterranean is still churning from the winds of the previous day.

This little piggy...

...went to market. Well actually he went to the foire in Monaco. Every October there's a big Fair in the circus tent in Fontvieille. You can buy anything from a new kitchen, to designer office chairs from Italy costing 1500 euros, to wines, to cheeses, to meats. There are stands from Morocco, India, Russia - many countries are represented - selling local artisan-made products. My favourite is always the Moroccan stand with its wonderful lamps, mirrors and pots.

This stand is called Divin Porcello and comes from Budrio in the province of Bologna in Italy.

Beach Hotel

The sea is churned up today, following yesterday's fierce mistral. Today, just a bit of a breeze which is heavenly. This is looking at the Beach Hotel, Monaco which is, in fact, on land leased from France. Restaurant La Vigie is located on the land jutting out to the right.

Police boat

In sharp contrast to the gleaming white yachts: the police boat.

Anyone for golf?

A Smart car parked in the port area this morning and fairly near to Stars 'n' Bars.

Maternity

There are other sculptures in the Principality by the sculptor, Emma de Sigaldi. This one, located in the gardens opposite the Place des Moulins, is called Maternity and was created in 1966. You can see another, by the same artist, at THIS LINK.

Monte Carlo Ladies - 6

I couldn't resist photographing this Monte Carlo lady as I crossed the gardens opposite the Europa Residence on Boulevard des Moulins today. The contrast between Monte Carlo ladies and those who live in the hill villages is vast. Take a look at these Gorbio ladies who live just 13 kilometres from where I took this photograph.

Japanese Garden - 9

This enchanting garden, designed by the landscape architect Yasuo Beppo was commissioned by the Prince Rainier for Princess Grace. It covers 23,000 square feet right next to the Mediterranean and has been blessed by a Shinto High Priest. The garden is an authentic work of art that unites stone, water and vegetation in the most marvelous harmony. The pine and olive trees are pruned in the pure tradition of the Land of the Rising Sun.

(Back home from Germany - thanks so much for comments).

Hanging flowers - 2

These hanging baskets are on the other side of rue Princesse Caroline to the ones you saw recently at THIS LINK.

Japanese Garden - 8

A traditional part of any Japanese garden.

Pilote

In contrast to yesterday's Riva, here is one of Monaco's pilot boats - very necessary to bring in some of the super yachts that visit the Principality.

Riva

A Riva - surely the best and most famous motorboat in the world. If you click on the link, and then go to archives, you'll see some of the older models, like this one.

(I'm in Germany to judge the Old English Sheepdogs at the Bundesseiger show so forgive me, but I won't be able to comment much before getting home on Monday evening. )

Japanese Garden - 7

You've seen the little boy before, but I hope you'll enjoy seeing him again, this time with his mother and sibling, watching the fish in the Japanese gardens.