To all my teacher friends, and colleagues, I hope you had a great Easter break and it wasn't too difficult getting up on Monday morning. I thought about you, as I turned over!
To back track, we had a great time exploring Nice, particularly it's beautiful old town, which was mysteriously atmospheric after dark, especially after a botteille de vin rouge (or two.) Interesting statues on sticks I think you'll agree.
We parked the car on a steep road in a residential area, and left it the whole time we were in Nice. Parking is at a premium and to find a free spot is a rarity so we held onto it and used public transport! The museum of modern art was worth a visit, particularly the sculpture garden on the roof.
We had an interesting time in Cannes, well getting there actually. We caught the train, one of these super efficient double-decker affairs, which set off splendidly until we got to Antibes. Then, it sat at the station, and sat, and sat. The announcements were pretty basic, apologies for delay, problems between Cannes and Grasse, didn't know how long it would take, etc, etc. No mention of getting off and switching to another train. We had to work that one out for ourselves, suddenly we saw another train pull in alongside us and we legged it - down stairs, along corridors, up stairs, and jumped on just as the whistle blew. Well, at least I jumped on. Mr Efficiency was making sure it went to Cannes. The door shut, with me on the train and Jim on the platform looking up! He used brute force to open the door, much to the guards disapproval, and we were off, eventually arriving in Cannes 2 hours late.
Lovely old town, great coffee, massive sandwiches, old style glamour, and the film festival everywhere.
Our best trip though was to Monaco, even though it threw it down all day.
A three-quarters of an hour bus trip took us up winding cornichons, clinging to the cliff edge. Monaco is drop dead gorgeous, absolutely pristine, smells of money, incredibly glamorous, we fitted in immediately! First job - count all the Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls' outside Monte Carlo casino.
We walked up the steep paths, through immaculate gardens, to the palace, set in the historical centre. It was just like a film set, so gorgeous but yet, so real.
The grand prix takes place next month and the press stands, spectator seating, pit lanes, crash barriers and safety fences were being erected.
The yachts in the harbours were obviously understated, Jim didn't look sick, green or jealous in any way whatsoever!
I've got to tell you about the nut brown, leathery men and women sunbathing in any tiny bit of sun along the pebbles which pass for a beach in Nice. OMG!! Men in tiny thongs, generally gold or silver, large, but pert, medically enhanced breasts on 40+ women. We had a bit of a competition going on, who could find the most grotesque human lookalike, it was a tricky, close run contest but Jim won, paying far too much attention to false boobs, trout pouts and cat-like eyes!!
Reluctantly we left Nice on Sunday morning and drove to a small village, perched on a hill opposite Assisi in Italy. It took us 6 hours with a toilet stop - phew, a lunch stop and a shot of coffee stop. Immediately, on arrival, we felt we had arrived in Paradise. The apartment is in a converted farmhouse on an olive grove and is simply idyllic, overlooking a lovely valley.
We may stay here forever!
Today saw us visit Assisi, not really to follow the footsteps of St Francis, but just to wander and absorb the ambience. The sun was shining, there were blue skies, life doesn't really get any better!
PS. If I'm a travel tart James is a food tart, every country so far has his favourite food - pad Thai, in Thailand, whole fish in Malaysia, lamb steaks in Australia, barbecued of course, curries in New Zealand, fajitas in America, delectable melt in the mouth pastries in France, and of course pasta in Italy.
(I think France is winning, no-where else comes close to producing cakes to satisfy his sweet tooth). Obviously I have to make do with fruit or by now I would look like a house end. No comments please.
We're having mountain bikes delivered tomorrow, courtesy of Roberto, the owner of our little abode - now that's fit eye candy! We'll see where we end up.
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Location:La Macina di Bettona, Umbria, Italia
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