A Chilly Swim

Rather her than me!  This was taken two days ago on Larvotto beach. A beautiful day but gosh, that sea must be cold ...

Friendship

Conversation outside the shopping centre in Fontvieille. 

The Red and the White for Monaco's National Day

Not the most exciting photo in the world but I thought you might like to see Monaco's windows decorated with the Principality's red and white flags. Monaco celebrated its National Day last week - I didn't take photographs because I was exhibiting at PhotoMenton - but the flags are still on display and in this case with pots of red and white flowers to match. These pics were taken around the port of Fontvieille yesterday.

Ring ring

Not a bad place to stop and make a phone call and enjoy the view, even if it is a grey day.  Ah, no, perhaps she is taking a photo ...

The Midget outside the Cafe de Paris

This cute car is a rally car, parked opposite the Cafe de Paris. It's an MG midget I believe - UK number plates. You can see the names of the rally drivers inscribed on the side of the car. 

Monte Carlo Shoes ...

Monte Carlo shoes on the steps of the Hotel de Paris. 

Mirror, mirror ...

Mirror, mirror ...

Larvotto: Rise and Shine

Washing down Larvotto.

Rain

It was rainy and cold in Monaco yesterday.  This is the forecourt of the Grimaldi Forum. (a photo taken about four years ago but nothing has changed ...)

Peille: Time to say goodbye.

Today we are leaving Peille.  I have more photos of this enchanting village, but they can wait for another day. It's time to get back to Monte Carlo. 

Don't you love the hole cut into the rock to make the road?  You see this often in the south of France and Italy - sometimes wide enough for two-way traffic, sometimes not ...

Peille: Lavoir

This is the old lavoir in Peille. I love that the women who washed in the old days were protected from the heat and the cold by a roof and walls. (see last photo).

I wonder how many sheets, how many pair of workman's trousers have been washed on this sloping slab of stone over the centuries?

Peille: Nine Lives

Cats wander freely in Peille. A nice life ... for cats and people.

Peille: Courage

Rather her than me! Crossing the hanging bridge below the village of Peille.

Peille: Hanging Bridge

Would you like to walk this hanging bridge in Peille?  Come back tomorrow and see who did?

Peille: Roofscape

How many lives? How many births and deaths and loves and despair have taken place under these roofs over the centuries in the medieval vilage of Peille?

Peille: Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks in Peille.  I absolutely love hollyhocks but never have any luck in growing them, despite having poor stony soil which they love.

Peille: Chez Nana Cauvin

The chef at Restaurant Cauvin in Peille doesn't have far to go to collect his bread.  The baker's shop is the opposite side of the square to his restaurant. 

This restaurant is also known as Chez Nana Cauvin.  Nana was a friend of Léo Ferré, a Monegasque poet, composer and a dynamic live performer whose career in France dominated the years after the Second World War until his death.  He wrote a song to Nana Cauvin.

Peille: Bar Tabac L'Absinthe 2

A different perspective on the Bar Tabac L'Absinthe in Peille.  Don't you just love these vaulted passageways in medieval villages?

Peille: Bar Tabac L'Absinthe

The Bar/Tabac L'Absinthe in Peille.

Peille: Gaby

Yesterday we saw Gaby, owner of Au Petit Cabanon in Peille,  serving a couple of cyclists in the square.  Now a close-up of Gaby. Isn't he wonderful! And so was his pretty customer drinking her morning espresso.