The Kitchen Worker

We're at Villefranche-sur-Mer today - a beautiful town along the coast from Monaco, just before Nice. The Old Town dates back to 130 BC and one day I'll get some shots in decent weather. Yesterday it rained - as you see.

The Old Shop

Not all of Monaco is high rises and posh hotels. Here's a charming building with an old shop on street level. It's on Boulevard Charles III which is just above the market place in Place d'Armes.

Quai des Artistes

An interior shot of the brasserie - Quai des Artistes - which is on the edge of Port Hercule. Good food and atmosphere here. You may recall the ladies who lunch shot.

Nude with Mirror

Fancy a decorated screen? You'll find this at the International Fair in Fontvieille.

The Bra Strap

This is apparently what you wear when you don't want your bra straps to show! It's on sale at a fair that is currently taking place in the circus tent in Fontvieille.

The model, as you'd have realised, is a dummy!

The Golden Man

More from a Lanvin window. Reflections of palms from the Casino Gardens.

'All that glisters is not gold'

- William Shakespeare

Gone Fishin' - 2

Just to prove that the guys in yesterday's photo really did fish!

Gone Fishin'

Enter the tunnel (the one the Monaco Grand Prix cars whiz through) and you pass the entrance to the Centre du Congres, Auditorium Rainier III. Walk up to the first level and often as not you'll find some guys fishing. This was taken during the Monaco Yacht Show, hence so many yachts out at sea.

The Yike Bike

We're back at the Monaco Yacht Show where a guy was walking around with this brilliant electric bike that folds to almost nothing. It was named by Time Magazine as one of the top inventions of 2009. Take a look at the YikeBike website or click on the video below to see this little wonder in action. It will cost you approximately 2,635 euros or $3425. The YikeBike is designed and assembled in New Zealand.

The Sandals

We're back at the Monaco Yacht Show where these sandals intrigued me. How long would they take to get off - and on?

But look carefully - is that a zip that runs all the way down the back?

The Brabus Smart

It looks like a Smart car but the quality hits you in the eye. It's a Brabus Smart.

Brabus is a German high-performance aftermarket tuning company which specializes in Mercedes-Benz and Smart cars, turning them into amazing creatures. This one poses in Port Hercule.

Ladies who Lunch...

...at Quai des Artistes on the port.

The Lanvin Windows

The Lanvin windows on Casino Square.

Always fascinating.

Time for a Coffee Break

I'm bored with the Monaco Yacht Show photos so let's go have a croissant and coffee at the Café de Paris. If you ask for a croissant, you get two because they are small - and delicious.

We'll probably pop back to the Yacht Show from time to time as I took loads of pics but 'time out' for the moment.

Monaco Yacht Show - and then it rained

Rain at the Monaco Yacht Show. Fortunately it didn't last long.

Monaco Yacht Show - the Coffee Table Boat

This display is on a low table inside one of the tents. The boat doesn't move but the wake does (or appears to) - you get the feeling though that it is the boat that really is moving through water.

The illusion is fascinating.

Monaco Yacht Show - How About Your Own Submarine?

No self-respecting super yacht owner can manage without its own submersible. These attracted a lot of attention at the Monaco Yacht Show. They are made by a company called U-Boat Warx in a variety of sizes from a one-man submersible to those carrying five people. Take a look at website or click on the video below.

Monaco Yacht Show - Ohana

This month's Theme Day is 'graffiti' and whilst this isn't graffiti (but a child's drawing) it sort of fits the bill. The young daughter of the owner of this beautiful yacht at the Monaco Yacht Show drew this design - Ohana means 'family' in Hawaiian. Later, as you see, he had her drawing painted onto the yacht.

Ohana is 43 metres long and is for charter in the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. She's also for sale at $24 million.

To see how others around the world have interpreted today's theme please click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Monaco Yacht Show - Planet Solar

Around the world on solar energy.

Three days ago this catamaran, with motors powered by solar energy, left Monaco on the first solar boat expedition around the world. Valued at 14 million euros, the boat is owned by German billionaire, Immo Ströher who made his fortune from solar energy.

Energy is stored in the batteries by day and the catamaran can continue sailing on stored energy without sunlight for about three days. She will follow an equatorial route in order to take advantage of the most sunshine. Her first port of call will be in the Canaries - she'll travel across the Atlantic, the Panama Canal, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean on a cruise that is scheduled to last 160 days. You can follow this record-breaking voyage day by day on the Planet Solar website which is available in English, French and German.

To quote from the website: 'PlanetSolar aims in a nutshell:

• Demonstrate the potential for renewable energies and photovoltaic
• To show that today we have the technology required for sustainability
• To take part in the technological development of renewable energy and advance scientific research
• To inform and make the public aware of the importance of renewable energy
• To make the best use of energy efficiency
• To show that the economy and ecology can and must work together.'
  

Monaco Yacht Show - Nero

Reflections through a window and on the side of the classic motor yacht, Nero.

And below you see this beautiful yacht, all decked out in flags for the occasion. I snapped her from one of the shuttle boats that whizz you from one part of the port to another. The speedboat was quite bumpy so good for the stabiliser on my camera.

Nero is 90 metres (295ft) long and is one of the largest classic motor yachts ever to be built. She has a distinctive 1920s funnel, and retro styling throughout the interior. She can accommodate 10 guests in 5 cabins, supported by 20 crew. Click on the link to read more.