La Note Bleue

Preparing for the day at the La Note Bleue on Larvotto Beach - one of the trendier beach restaurants, with great music. Don't be fooled by the bright blue sky. I took this a week or so ago. Weather isn't good here - raining, miserable - not at all what it should be in Monaco or the south of France in May/June. We are all complaining. Are you sorry for us?

Back from Spain last night and sick with fever and bronchitis, which is why I didn't comment on Theme Day on Monday or Tuesday. A visit to the doc this morning produced antibiotics, and a ton of other medication. French docs love to prescribe. It will surely sort me out before Sally (& famille) from Sydney DP arrives on Sunday. Spain has the same dreadful weather as much of southern Europe this year so I blame the weather and lots of work at the show.

Returned to no telephone or internet - again! A call this morning promised it would be done on the 11th June and then two hours ago - miracle! - two young France Telecom guys arrived and it's fixed. Rah, rah, rah. They said the line was damaged, bent and needed replacing and there was some other problem too. Thanks so much for all comments. Now, finally, with the Internet at home, I'll start to catch up with you all.

Bring on the day!

Larvotto Beach early in the morning. Sleeping off the night before - or waiting for the sun to warm up.

Cool pool

This reflective pool is on the left of the entrance to the Grimaldi Forum - above you see the entrance to the Japanese Gardens.

The Beach Towel

If you want something to take home with you, why not a beach towel to remind you of the good times. These are for sale on Larvotto Beach.

Theme Day - My Corner Shop

There is no 'corner shop' as such in Monaco - either supermarkets or street markets or, as here, a traiteur. (Truthfully, there could be one on le Rocher but I didn't get up there with all the chaos of the Grand Prix).

Mr. Brian's is owned by a charming Englishman called - no surprise - Brian. He started years ago by importing the best Scottish smoked salmon into Monaco and his business, like Topsy, just grewed. He now employs 4 chefs and produces beautiful food that is served to the rich and famous, often on their yachts. You can read about Mr. Brian's by clicking on the link. You can also read about the day Brian's dog was taken by clicking on The Day Lou was Stolen!

Do click here to view thumbnails of all 174 participants to see their take on today's theme.

I'm working at a dog show in Spain all day today (150 Old English Sheepdogs from around the world) but will spend tomorrow catching up and commenting. Meanwhile have a lovely Theme Day everyone!

Beach Hotel

The Beach Hotel just before the Grand Prix. As you see, yachts at sea, unable to get into the over-crowded harbour. The restaurant La Vigie, which is on the promontory at the rear, isn't yet open. I believe that opens in June.

Cleaning the Yacht

This was taken before the Grand Prix. The flag looks like the Welsh dragon but it's normally seen against a green and white background. Anyone know?

Monte Carlo Ladies - 13 - The Roller Blader

At Grand Prix time, in particular, this is a great way to get about Monaco - or at least around the Larvotto Beach area, which is flat.

France Telecom paid another visit and it seems there are big-time problems - they will come back and install new cable from road to house. No matter, at the moment, I'm in Spain for a dog show and the hotel has internet access, so I've left my connection problems behind - for the moment.

Early morning wash

The promenade along by Larvotto Beach is washed down each morning, as is much of Monte Carlo.

Internet & phone still down. Thanks so much for comments. My ability to comment is limited but am using neighbour's WiFi when poss. Will catch up with everyone eventually.

Monaco Grand Prix - Hugo Boss

Dusk off Larvotto Beach - the Hugo Boss boat. If anyone saw the David Coulthard interview on ITV the day before the Monaco Grand Prix, it was filmed on this boat.

Internet & phone still down. Thanks so much for comments. My ability to comment is limited but am using neighbour's WiFi when poss. Will catch up with everyone eventually.

Monaco Grand Prix - No room in the Harbour!

Dusk. Two nights before the Grand Prix. Larvotto Beach. As you can see, there are many more boats than usual and, as is usual at Grand Prix time, no room in the harbour. Apologies for lack of clarity but I took this at 8 p.m.

(Internet & phone still down. Hopefully up by Wednesday. Now posting from my neighbour's house - thankyou Agnès).

Monaco Grand Prix - Fangio

Monaco Grand Prix today! Monte Carlo is abuzz with excitement.

Today, another sculpture - this time of the late, great Juan Manuel Fangio. It stands on the corner of the Port of Monaco, not far from the Start/Finish line. Created by Joaquim Ros Sabate it was inaugurated by H.S.H. Prince Albert in 2003. It depicts Fangio after he won the Grand Prix of Monaco in 1955 in a Mercedes Benz.

Stop press: Crazy race - rain, shine, crashes... --- and Hamilton WON! Rah! rah! rah! Go Lewis!

(Internet & phone still down. Hopefully up by Wednesday. Am posting from a cyber cafe - very sorry but can't comment for the moment but thank you so much for your comments. Will catch up as soon as poss).

Monaco Grand Prix - a Brag!

A Monte Carlo Daily Photo (see above) appears today in the International Herald Tribune, the global edition of the New York Times. Guess who is dead chuffed!

There are several pages of articles on the 'Glamour and dazzle at the Monaco Grand Prix' by Brad Spurgeon. In particular, there is a fascinating article by Joe Seward, on the first man ever to win the Monaco Grand Prix, one William Grover, who was an undercover agent during World War Two. Click on the link to see a different photo of this sculpture, when it was first posted on Monte Carlo DP.

This sculpture stands near to the church of St. Devote in the centre of a small roundabout - it's removed each year as it's part of the Grand Prix track.

I did request that the International Herald Tribune credit the photo to Monte Carlo Daily Photo but unfortunately they just put my name. How did it happen? I had an email from the Int. Herald Tribune in Paris asking if the photograph they'd seen on Monte Carlo DP was in fact mine and would I give permission to use it. They also asked if I had a version with higher definition. I didn't but said I'd go into Monaco to take more. Off I went only to find that the sculpture had been moved for the Grand Prix. No matter - they said the photos I'd sent (only 1600 x 1200) would be fine.

(Internet & phone still down. Hopefully up by Wednesday. Am posting from a cyber cafe - very sorry but can't comment for the moment but thank you so much for your comments. Will catch up as soon as poss).

Monaco Grand Prix - How Much?

Yes, it's the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. The harbour is choc a bloc with yachts, there isn't a hotel room to be had for miles. You can pay up to 150,000 euros for a villa for a week in Cap Ferrat. If you stay in an hotel in Monaco you have to stay for three or four nights and if you don't, then you pay anyway. Prices can be up to 12,000 euros for three nights. A suite at the Fairmont - dig deep - it will cost you 160,000 euros.

Many people who rent or own apartments along the race track rent their apartments and balconies to corporations for a fortune for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the race, making around 28,000 euros during those three days. Big companies reward their best employees by flying them to Monaco for what is without doubt the greatest of all the Formula 1 Grand Prix races, run as it is through the streets of the Prncipality. Renting at Grand Prix time in Monaco often pays the yearly rental. There are strict rules tho. Only a certain number of people per square metre are allowed on each balcony - this for saftey reasons. The highest rental being paid for this weekend's Grand Prix - for 30 privileged people - 50,000 euros.

Other residents simply leave the Principality - they can't stand the noise.

Prices in the stands range from 70 euros to 420 euros. And the cheapest way to see the Monaco Grand Prix? Come into Monaco on the bus or train (you'd not get a car near the place anyway) and then pay 40 euros to sit on the grassy slope below le Rocher.

(I've had no telephone or internet connection for two days - France Telecom tell me it'll not be up for a few days. Some problem between my house and the road. Grrrrrrr. Am posting from a cyber cafe - very sorry but can't comment for the moment but thank you so much for your comments. Will catch up as soon as poss).

Monte Carlo Ladies - 12

A Monte Carlo lady! Wonder if this smartly dressed lady has just bought something in a red bag that coincidentally goes with her floaty dress? Perhaps she keeps it at home specially to go with this outfit? She's walking across Casino Square towards the Café de Paris.

Garden Club of Monaco - Dreams for Sale

As you see, you can buy the dream... (everything here is for sale - maybe even the sand!)

Garden Club of Monaco - Ceramiques

Meet Stephane Montalto. Stephane is a Ceramiste Potier who has his atelier in Roquebrune Cap Martin. He makes these beautiful pots and much else besides. This is his signature colour. I remember buying several smaller pieces when I first came to the region - his smaller pieces are in a slightly paler turquoise. I love his pottery.

This pot is a traditional Provençal pot and is an art that Stephane has revived. Stephane's work is installed in many parts of Monaco, including the Japanese Garden, St. Martin's Garden on Le Rocher and in many of the beautiful Belle Epoque villas on Cap Martin. His work has been shown in many different exhibitions and he's also won many awards. Such a dedicated and charming man.

Garden Club of Monaco - The Golfer

We're back at the Garden Club of Monaco with a golfer looking a little bare around his middle.

Larvotto Beach - Carla

Much of France is up in arms at Sarko (what the French call President Sarkozy) - the country is knee-deep in strikes at the moment. Others seem to be happy to read about the new Madame S.

Discarded - this magazine had been left on a wall at Larvotto Beach.

Larvotto Beach - The Early Nap

7.45 a.m. Larvotto Beach

Between the eyes of love I call your name
Behind the guarded walls I used to go
Upon a summer wind there's a certain melody
Takes me back to the place I know
Down on the beach

- Chris Rea