Crystals for Christmas

To my dear friends and readers of this blog, I send you a million crystals from the lights of Nice for Christmas.  May you have a day filled with peace and love.

Jump!

We're in Nice today to visit the Christmas lights. This is my fabulous friend, Emmanuelle, jumping in front of a replica of what was once Nice's crystal casino - a pier, built over the sea and finished in 1891. The pier was closed in 1942 and stripped of its valuable metals, copper, brass, bronze and electric wiring, to be used by the German army.

Rigatoni La Voglia

Memories of a great birthday lunch on Rue Saint Francois in Nice in October.  This delicious dish is "Rigatoni La Voglia" at La Voglia.

Thank you again to Sylvie, Emma and Guillaume and Patrick and his beautiful 4L.  How lucky I am to have such wonderful friends.

A Rocky View of Monaco

Waves crash on the rocks at Cap Martin.  In the distance you see the Principality of Monaco.

Three way conversation

Three-way conversation at the seafood counter of the Café de Paris - note the replicas of old postcards running along the base. 

Singing Practice

Singing practice at Larvotto Beach.  This photo was taken at the end of June.

Kiss Curl

A dramatic look on the promenade below the casino.

Casino Monte Carlo - the Clock

One of the ornate clocks in the casino of Monte Carlo.

Casino Monte Carlo - the Blue Chairs

A luxurious corner inside Monte Carlo's casino. (not sure about the blue chairs!)

Casino Monte Carlo - the Entrance

The entrance to Monte Carlo's beautiful casino. The bronze is called 'La Fortune' and is by Daphne du Barry. 

Casino Monte Carlo - the Atrium

The stunning atrium of the Monte Carlo Casino.

A Bench with a View

This couple are enjoying the view of Monaco from the medieval village of Roquebrune.

The Mantle of Conscience by Anna Chromy

This is a new sculpture, recently installed in the gardens opposite Le Rose des Vents. 

It's called the Mantle of Conscience and is by the artist, Anna Chromy.

'Very Hungry God' by Subodh Gupta

This is a sculpture recently seen outside the Grimaldi Forum.

It's called 'Very Hungry God' by artist Subodh Gupta, who is based in New Delhi.

It's made of approximately 3,000 pieces of stainless steel kitchenware.

The Cow ready for a Swim

You'll find this cow in the gardens of the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco.  She's called 'Elegante au Bains' and has been decorated by sculptor Anne Quemar.  In 2005 there were dozens of cows all over Monaco. They'd been created by well-known artists and scuptors in aid of charity.  This one was bought by the Baronne Brandstetter and donated to the hospital.

She marks the smoking area in the gardens.

Larvotto Beach in August

Larvotto Beach in August.  Bodies, bodies.  I wonder what those two green plastic dolphins are for? (foreground left)

Miami Plage

Miami Plage on Larvotto, before the lunchtime crowds.

Monaco from the Bateau Bus

A fun way to see Monaco is on the Bateau Bus - the solar powered electric ferry that crosses the harbour and all it costs is 1.50 euros.  An easy and cheap way to pretend you own a super yacht!

On the day I took this (end of June) - you can see ominous clouds hung low over the la Tete du Chien (Head of the Dog) with only pinponts of sunlight on the buildings.

Monaco Yacht Club - the Champagne Bar

This is the champagne bar on the top deck of the new Monaco Yacht club.   Good-looking waiter included!

Horse before Cart (Car)

Horses come before cars as they cross the street in Port Hercule.  This beauty was in Monaco last month for the Show Jumping Championships.