McDonald's in Monaco

A lot of people are surprised to discover there is a McDonald's in Monaco. It's in Fontvieille above the supermarket complex.

Reindeers in Monaco?

You don't really expect to see a reindeer walking around Monte Carlo, do you?

The Frozen Swimming Pool

In winter the swimming pool on Port Hercule is turned into an ice rink.

Posing

At the Christmas Fair on Port Hercule people love to pose for photos with these tall white creatures ...

Waffles at the Christmas Fair

Churros yesterday, waffles today at the Christmas Fair on Port Hercule.

Churros

Churros. The guy is tasting the dipping sauce and perhaps wondering what it is...

The Christmas Fair on the port has all sorts of food that isn't typically French.

Actually I don't know what a churro is either!

McLaren or Triumph?

Casino Square was a car-watchers paradise the other day. There was either a car fair on in Monaco or perhaps a special auction.

The sexy shiny black number above is a McLaren and the old car in the smaller photo is a Triumph.

Which do you prefer?

Waiting for the Night

Waiting for the Night: Christmas lights on the way to Casino Square.

Winter Blues

Port Hercule in December. Winter is often the best time...

Christmas Fair - the Big Wheel

There's a Christmas Fair on at the port - loads of rides for kids, every sort of food to buy and eat on the spot.

And the big wheel. I'll go up in it one day - the views will be great.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It's that time of year again...

Avenue 31

'Avenue 31' is a brasserie on Avenue Princess Grace near the Grimaldi Forum. Modern, good fresh food. This window near the entrance is decorated with wine bottles - empty of course...

Ulysses

I've always loved this sculpture of Ulysses by Anna Chromy but I'm used to seeing it in Menton where it is cast in bronze/verdigris. This colour is wonderful.

Here it stands on the corner of Port Hercule above the yacht club.

The Washerwoman

La Grand Laveuse (the Washerwoman) - by Renoir - Guino 1917. It stands in the Parc Paysager of Fontvieille.

Larvotto in Winter - 2

A brave couple willing to brave a chilly December sea.

Larvotto in Winter

December - and Larvotto beach is almost empty.

Look carefully though, and you can see a lone swimmer in the lower centre of the photo. Rather him than me...

Morning at Fontvieille

'Morning without you is a dwindled dawn.'
Emily Dickinson

Wedding in the Sun - the Red Hat

Our last day at the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat wedding and how about a guest in a red hat... Actually I think they are called something else when they are small like this? Don't forget - this wedding took place in September, hence the bare shoulders and tan - not that there aren't people still swimming in the sea in Monaco, as you'll see over the next days.

There seemed to be a change of plan as to who held the bride's train. In the lower photo the bridesmaids are in charge and then, when the bride finally entered the church, it was the three pageboys who assisted her.

Long life and happiness to the bride and groom.

Tomorrow - back to Monaco.

Wedding in the Sun - the iPhone Photographer

Only a short while ago, this scene wouldn't have been possible.

Wedding in the Sun - the Mother of the Bride's Shoes

The mother of the bride - all in blue right down to those brand-new incredibly high heels. Imagine all the stress involved in a daughter's wedding and then she has to walk in these...