HSH Princess Antoinette

After all the razzmatazz of the Venetians, let's pause for peace in the Japanese Garden.

A sad time in Monaco at the moment as Princess Antoinette died a few days ago. Princess Antoinette was the sister of Prince Rainier, father to Prince Albert and his sisters, Princesses Caroline and Stephanie. She was 90 years old. The Principality is now in mourning for two weeks with the funeral taking place on Thursday. She had quite a life and was married three times - click on the link.

Princess Antoinette adored dogs, indeed she kept many dogs at her house, Au Bout du Monde, at Eze-bord-de-Mer. She was involved in animals rights and was President of Monaco's Society for the Protection of Animals. She was very knowledgeable on the subject of dogs and I remember a lovely conversation I had with her at one of the Monaco dog shows when I sat opposite her at lunch that day.

Venice in Monte Carlo - Giacomo Casanova

Giacomo Casanova lived between 1725 and 1798 and was a famous Ventian womanizer. How did he do it in those heels?

Venice in Monte Carlo - Hair

Perhaps not as sharp an image as would be ideal, but I just had to show you this hair! And what about that nifty red number in the smaller photo.

Tomorrow, the man himself: Casanova...

Venice in Monte Carlo - One for the Ladies

After so many beautiful ladies, how about a good looking young man...

Venice in Monte Carlo - Everything's coming up Roses...

Even for Monte Carlo, one might say this is a little over the top!

Venice in Monte Carlo - Dressing Up

Apart from the chilly weather it must have been such fun to dress up in all these stunning Venetian costumes. Helps if you are beautiful too...

Venice in Monte Carlo - Costume and Cloud

As you can see, cloud hangs low over the Casino Gardens. Not ideal conditions for a good photo but of course everyone pulls out a camera.

Venice in Monte Carlo - the Wig

An enormous wig and scant clothing on a chilly grey day in Casino Square. This lady smiled through it all. Good for her!

Venice in Monte Carlo - the Faces

Often, the faces were as fascinating as the costumes. Each participant took his or her role very seriously and stayed in character as they wandered around Casino Square.

Venice in Monte Carlo - the Clowns

Venetian clowns pose in front of one of the fountains in Casino Square - and below, crossing the road to the Casino.

Venice in Monte Carlo

Casino Square yesterday... a gloomy, overcast day until Venice came to Monte Carlo with wondrous costumes, masks and all the drama of Commedia dell'arte.

The couple in the smaller photo pose outside the Hotel de Paris.

Flowers at La Note Bleue

La Note Bleue on Larvotto Beach always has such beautiful flowers. Wonder who does them?

Lunch in the Wind?

The tables are set for lunch but I wonder how many braved the winds at La Note Bleue on Larvotto Beach. In fact, probably quite a lot did, as I took this around 11h 45 and within an hour the wind had dropped considerably.

And the Wind she did Blow...

Larvotto Beach yesterday with a fierce wind and crashing waves.

International Women's Day

Not a painting to be hung on your wall but a chest of drawers for sale at a Foire in Monaco last October. However, the reason for showing this photo is not to influence your interior decor (as if I would dare...) but to use the image of a woman to celebrate the centenary of International Women's Day.

You can see a young girl running towards her future on Menton Daily Photo today.

Here's to all my women friends - I couldn't exist without you...

The Frieze

The facade of the Hermitage Hotel along with its famous frieze has been repainted - and very well too.

Reflections on Avenue d'Ostende

Avenue d'Ostende is the road that runs down from the Casino to Saint Devote and Port Hercule.

This road used to be called the Montée de Monte-Carlo and is well-known by anyone who watches the F1 cars of the Monaco Grand Prix as they race up this hill.

Flags

There's always something going on in Casino Square - here you see flags from the recent Monte Carlo Rally reflected in the doors of the Casino.

Don't you love that old clock?

Parking des Pêcheurs

When you visit le rocher, this is where you end up after parking your car. You can take a lift to the level of the gardens on top but it's also nice to come out where you see the benches and walk up steps past the old washhouse.

Koi Carp

Last day at the Japanese Gardens - but I'm sure we'll be back. This, as is fairly obvious (!) is a reflection in a pool that contains Koi Carp.