Chanel

The Chanel shop ... it's the contrasts that can make Monte Carlo so fascinating.

The Ballerina

Two views of the ballerina who lights up at night, below the casino building. She was created by Marco Lodola in 1995.

Apologies that we are not continuing with the Pink Parade photos. My iMac died in a blaze of orange screen and went to iMac Heaven. It took 14 hours to transfer my files to the new machine.
The only photos not included in the back-up were the Pink Parade photos and yesterday's emails. These may (not sure) be recoverable but it'll be a week or so.

Pink Ribbon Day! - the Maclaren Stroller

Who knew that Maclaren (think Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton) made a stroller? Doubtless so comfortable this young partipant at the Pink Ribbon Walk is about to fall asleep ...

Pink Ribbon Day! - Pretend Champagne

Puddles from the early rain produce reflections of a little girl at the Pink Ribbon Walk.

These two beauties are sisters who were born in Monaco and make great models as they play up to the photographers. Don't you love the mini-pretend-champagne! Monte Carlo Ladies in the making!

Pink Ribbon Day! - More Monte Carlo Ladies

More gorgeous Monte Carlo ladies who took part in the inaugural Pink Ribbon Walk, in aid of cancer research, in Monaco on Sunday.

How does the lady below change the settings on her camera with those fingernails! Good for her!

Pink Ribbon Day!

Yesterday Monaco went pink! It was the first Monaco Pink Ribbon day - where women (and men) walk on behalf of breast cancer awareness. The organisation was great, atmosphere was fabulous, people turned up in crazy outfits and of course money was raised for this great charity.

Movingly, many people walked on behalf of a mother, a sister, a loved one lost to cancer, and pinned notices to their backs (see last photo). We'll see more of these another day.

Come back tomorrow for much more...

Hediard at the Galerie du Metropole

Hediard. Luxury food on the ground floor of the Metropole Centre. Hediard opened its first shop near Chartres in 1832.

The Monte Carlo store opened in Monaco in 2010. All too tempting ...

Monte Carlo Ladies

A couple of Monte Carlo ladies cross Avenue Princesse Alice near Square Beaumarchais.

Reflections of a Gardener

One of Monaco's many gardeners watering around Anish Kapoor's celebrated Sky Mirror in front of the Casino.

Peace in a Pool

You'll find peace and a place to reflect in all the beautiful gardens of Monaco. The Casino Gardens, of course are the busiest, especially in the centre where you find the fountains, but just walk a few yards to one side and you'll find pools like this. Look carefully and you'll see the balcony of a building reflected in the water.

Cleaning the Metropole Centre

Not easy cleaning the curved ceiling above this chandelier in the Metropole Centre, especially as the area within the railings drops down to the floor below.

Bonsai in the Casino Gardens

I've never noticed this bonsai in the Casino gardens before. It's quite a large bonsai, but a bonsai nevertheless. The bowl looks as if it's made and signed by an artist - next time I'll look more carefully.

Amazing root formation, don't you think?

In Step

Sunshine and shadows on the steps leading down from the back of the casino building.

I seem to think I've seen exactly the same design of wrought iron railing outside the Metropole Centre but perhaps my memory is deceiving me. It often does ...

Sweeping Up

Curved windows at the back of the Café de Paris make good photo opportunities.

Agretti

We're in Beausoleil market today - so near to Italy that it's no surprise to find signs for produce written in Italian. This is Agretti - looks like grass, doesn't it? In fact it's a tender succulent, native to the Mediterranean. It's also known as Barba di Frate (Monk's Beard) and in English, Barilla Plant, Opposite Leaved Saltwort or Russian Thistle.

Frances Mayes, author of the wonderful Bella Tuscany, wrote of this plant: 'Spinach is the closest taste, but while agretti has the mineral sharpness of spinach, it tastes livelier, full of the energy of spring.'

Remove the roots, steam for 5 minutes, and serve still slightly warm with some olive oil and lemon or prepare fettucine and mix with fresh chopped agretti, lemon and oil.

Swish...for International Women's Day

Couldn't resist the swish of this lady's cape.

It's a day late, but nevertheless a photo for yesterday's International Women's Day.

The Accordion Player

How's this for a beard! This lovely man was playing the accordion in Beausoleil yesterday and was happy to let me take his photo. Carlo is a member of the Scottish Dance Group of Monaco. He lives in Menton.

Heels

How does she walk in those heels?

Up and Down

Cypresses on the ground, cypresses on the roof - in Fontvieille.

As Winter as it Gets

This is about as 'winter' as it gets in Monaco. We're in the Princess Grace Rose Garden - the roses have been pruned and fed and are waiting for spring. The olives have had a heavy pruning too - but not long now, and buds will be bursting.

That's the circus tent you see in the background.