The Wedding: Clean-up at the Palace

In five short months, Monaco will celebrate the wedding of Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock and there's a lot to do!

Not least - the palace. Here you see the facades are undergoing a massive clean-up.

There's also a big renovation going on at the Hôtel de Paris on Casino Square which is where many of the most prestigious guests will stay.

And THE dress? That will be designed by Georgio Armani.

Circus! - Monsieur Loyal

Our last day at the Monte Carlo's Festival of Circus and all the fabulous artistes including the Ringmaster, Petit Gougou as Monsieur Loyal, wave us goodbye. Thanks so much to everyone who enjoyed the spectacle with me.

Tomorrow - the Principality prepares for the royal wedding...

Circus! - 'Les Clowns en Folie'

There are around a dozen clowns in the group 'Les Clowns en Folie' - they drove through the streets of Monaco during the day to the delight of onlookers, they entertained us with their music before the show and in between acts they were the best fun.

Tomorrow: Our last day at the circus.

Circus! - Dancing on Lightbulbs

This group of acrobats are from the Flag Circus of China and they perform acrobatics on lightbulbs. The first photo shows you how!

Circus! - the Tightrope Walkers

The tightrope walkers were magical - and scary. These two are part of the German 'Famille Weisheit' who have been in circus for 100 years. They were awarded a Special Mention by the Jury at this year's Festival.

Circus! - Bello Nock

Bello Nock was brilliant. He was one of only two acts to be awarded the Golden Clown by the Jury of Monte Carlo's Festival of Circus. The last time he appeared at the Monte Carlo Circus in 1998, he won the Silver Clown.

He did all the usual clown things with a trampoline - but better - and then he rode the 'Wheel of Death' but as if he couldn't do it, almost falling off, terrified etc and it was all very funny - and scary.

On the night of the Awards, HSH Prince Albert wore a wig identical to Bello Nock's. Oh yes, the Royals in Monaco get in the swing of things and especially the circus which they love. (Click on the link)

Time magazine named Bello Nock, the best American clown. They were right!

Circus! - the Russian Models of Troupe Khubaev

These pretty girls (referred to as models in the programme) were part of the Troupe Khubaev who represent the Bolshoi Circus of Moscow. The acrobats themselves - a team of guys - were so fast that every shot I took was a blur, so we only have the girls. I'm sure any guys reading this won't mind!

The Dragon Fountain

This dragon breathes water, rather than fire. You can find him in the Casino gardens.

The intention had been to photograph an elephant peeing (it's veritable fountain!) and I duly waited two hours by the elephant enclosure at the circus but no joy...the things we do for Theme Day! These are photos I took last summer with my old camera.

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

Tomorrow: back to the Circus!

Circus! - The White Birds

The White Birds really were - as you can see - white birds.

These artists on their flying trapeze come from Russia and were spectacular. They were awarded a 'Silver Clown' by the Jury.

Circus! - les Pompiers de Paris

The gymnasts of the Pompiers de Paris (the Paris Firemen) were brilliant. The 38 gymnasts really are Paris firemen. They were awarded a 'Special Mention' by the Jury.

Circus! - the Chinese Acrobats on Bicycles

The talented Chinese girls of the Troupe Acrobatique de Dalian. They were awarded a Silver Clown by the Jury.

Circus! - the Tigers of Flavio Togni

Tiger, tiger... the beautiful tigers of Flavio Togni's Amercan Circus.

The first photo was taken one morning and the second at the show on Wednesday night. I always have mixed feelings seeing wild animals perform tricks although I understand that via zoos and circuses many more of these wonderful animals are alive. These tigers are in wonderful condition, play like kittens and seem to enjoy performing.

Flavio Togni is one of the world's leading animals trainers - he owns the elephants, the camels and the horses at this show - and he was one of only two acts this year to receive the most prestigious prize, the Golden Clown, presented by Prince Albert. (The other winner was my favourite act and we'll meet him another day).

Circus! - the Balancing Act

Last night a friend invited me to the 35th Festival International du Cirque in Monte Carlo - and it was fabulous!

This is Roman Kapersky, a Russian 'equilibriste' who was, as you see, pretty amazing.

The prestigious awards given at the festival are called Clowns. There is the Bronze Clown, the Silver Clown and the Gold Clown. Roman was a delighted recipient of the Bronze Clown presented to him by Pauline Ducret, the eldest daughter of Princess Stephanie of Monaco who is the President of the Festival.

More tomorrow...

Circus! - A Day in the Life...

An elephant with two trunks! Feet covered in sand. In the main photo and the smaller one, the elephants are in their pen by the sea, waiting on food as per yesterday's photos.

In the photo below, they were about to go into the big tent for a rehearsal. It was fabulous to be so near to them with no barrier between us. They had been standing around waiting but at this point the trainer got them moving in a circle and then directed them into the tent.

Tonight I go to the circus!

Circus! - the Elephants

The elephants have a large pen overlooking the sea. There is hay to eat or throw around - there are several small tree trunks to play with but they are really only interested in what the public bring them to eat. Despite a sign that says 'Don't feed the animals' they get a steady stream of carrots, apples and lots of baguettes!

Circus! - the Performer

It's morning and rehearsal is over. The massive gates at the back of the tent have been opened to allow this performer to leave. Under her coat, she wears her costume and, as you see in the smaller shot, she probably had to get up rather too early that morning...

Circus! - Shampoo and Blow-Dry

Even camels get a shampoo and blow- dry before they perform at the celebrated International Festival of Circus in Monte Carlo.

Well - alright - perhaps the blow-dry is an exaggeration...

Circus! - the Camels

Camels in Monaco! One of the acts appearing in the Circus this year is this troup of camels - they have two humps. Apparently the two hump camels are less common than the one hump ones.

Take a look at the one below - you've not want him to kiss you, would you?

Circus! - the Clown

The circus is back in town! Monaco's famous International Festival of Circus is in its 35th year.

Each day the clowns board the special circus car and drive around the Principality - here's one of them, make up ready but not yet in full costume.

The Monte-Carlo International Festival of Circus is an incredibly prestigious event amongst circus folk and it is Princess Stephanie who has the final say as to which acts from around the world (comedy, acrobats and animals) will be invited to perform and compete for the various awards. Her father, the late Prince Rainier, was passionate about circus and so is the Princess. You see her around the circus all day long, chatting with the performers and trainers and making sure everyone, including the animals, are happy.

Black Cat for Luck

We are a couple of streets north of Monaco in Boulevard de la Republique in Beausoleil. Cats are so agile, aren't they? This one had no problem in walking along a narrow ledge and then jumping onto the railing.