Facade - 3

When I went out on a boat on Sunday, the idea had been to take this shot - but on a beautiful day. It would be so much better with sunshine glinting off the houses. No matter, I still like it and actually love the wild sky. Hope you like it too. I'll get it right eventually and then it will, hopefully, go into my header.

Power walking

We're told the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest in the world - all those fresh veggies, fish and olive oil - and that's why the locals live so long. I'll tell you why they live so long - apart from their diet - it's because they have to walk endlessly up and down the hills. Take this lady walking up a very steep and long hill. She eventually took a well-deserved rest, outside the old town walls in Sospel. Her dog, mind you, a rather chubby Miniature Pinscher, looks as if he might not be fed a Mediterranean diet...

Messing about in a boat

Remember I said I wanted to photograph Menton Old Town from the sea? So today was the day. Picnic packed, wine in the cooler, bikini in the bag - found my friend's boat in the harbour of Garavan. John dropped anchor in a pretty bay in Italy, not far across the border. And then it rained - and rained - and rained. And you can stop laughing, Isabella!

Meanwhile, here's a boat I snapped whilst we were moored - you can 'just' see part of Menton Old Town in the distance. And look at those clouds - and this was 'after' the rain.

Un miracle?

The intention today had been to show you more photographs of Sospel - however, here is a small diversion. Last night I went out to dinner in Menton and naturally gave myself time to take a few photographs for you, before meeting up with friends. During the afternoon, we'd had one hell of a storm with probably the most rain I've seen fall in such a short time, so it was surprising to see this sand sculpture pretty much intact. Naturally I took a couple of shots in the falling light.

Today's edition of Nice-Matin features almost the same shot with the heading: Un miracle? Le Christ en sable qui décorait la plage du Fossan a résisté a l'orage... so I reckon if it's good enough for Nice-Matin, it's good enough for us.

You can see the sculpture to the left has disappeared and the one to the right (out of shot) is very blurred in outline. So is it a miracle?

A river runs through it

We're still in Sospel but in a few days, we'll go back down to Menton. We'll be back though as I've much to show you of this mountain village. Here is a view taken from the bridge I posted here. Would you think it heaven to live in one of these houses or apartments with the river below? Or would you rather live with a view of the Mediterranean?

If you had the choice, would you live in a city, by the sea, in the mountains or perhaps by a lake or river? What's your all-time favourite dream of where to live? Perhaps you are lucky enough to live your dream already?

Across the bridge

We're across the bridge now. There's a small restaurant here - run by two young women. One cooks and one serves. We decided not to sit under the umbrellas, choosing instead to take a table inside the archways, out of the sun where we had omelettes and salad and good crusty bread.

A view from the bridge

Come with me for a walk across the 12th century fortified bridge in Sospel. Here we are half-way across. Tomorrow we'll walk to the little restaurant you see in the distance.

A quick slurp

Driving out of Sospel (see yesterday's post) I suddenly came across a couple moving their cattle. The dog did most of the work but at one point grabbed one quick slurp of water from a puddle - it was a hot day - but didn't allow himself more than a second to do it. His master controlled him with hand signals. Lovely dog, a mix of some sort and not much sheepdog evident. Sure knew what he was doing though.

Sospel

Menton is surrounded by glorious hill villages. Gorbio has been featured a few times as it's 'my' village but there are others: Roquebrune, Castellar and St. Agnes - to mention just three more. You'll get to see them all as time goes by - tra la la. And more. This is the first posting of Sospel which is 20 kilometres above Menton in the Bévera valley, and therefore not a hill village. You drive up a stunningly beautiful mountain road, very twisty road driving - the things I do for you! Sospel used to be a staging post on the Salt Route and in this photograph you see the fortified bridge, built in the 12th century and used as a Toll bridge for travellers. I had an omelette in a little bar just over the bridge and drank a toast to you all in Perrier - wasn't I good? Wine and driving windy roads don't go together. Let's face it, wine and driving anywhere doesn't go together.

Vide grenier

There's a vide grenier on in Gorbio village today. Everyone turns out their attics to raise money for the village children's sporting activies. The large tree in the centre is an elm that dates back to 1710. If you click on this following link, you'll find a good way to get a Tall Drink.

Facade - 2

You've seen shots of the Old Town before. Here's another I took today. I'm quite pleased with this one. Now to get out to sea to get an even better shot... This is taken from a different place and from a different angle to Facade.

Cimetière du Trabuquet

This photograph was taken from the same level as the main cemetery, which is above the Old Town. Here you see another cemetery, the Cimetière du Trabuquet which is higher still and above Garavan, another part of Menton. I've not yet visited this cemetery, but I will and then, hopefully, so will you. I like cemeteries, find them fascinating places. Do you?

Gorbio Village - Bar Les Terrasses 2

Here's a wider view of the village 'place' and Bar Les Terrasses that you saw the other day.

Dogs on beaches

Dogs are allowed on only two beaches in Menton - this is the entrance to one of them, which is just in front of the casino. In the background you see Cap Martin. Are dogs allowed on beaches in your city/country?

Détente

We're back in the centre of Menton today. Not the Old Town tho. This is in the centre of town. The Mairie (Town Hall) stands at the end of this covered area, which is duplicated on the other side of the road. Here you'll find little restaurants and an hotel. I found it because I noticed a little dachshund had come out of the hotel and was walking along the main road. I was concerned. I went into the hotel and asked if the dachshund belonged to them. Oh yes, they said - he'll come back. Hopefully he did. The main road is very busy.

Gorbio Village - Bar Les Terrasses

There are three restaurants in Gorbio - this one is also very much a bar where you can pop in for a café, a Ricard or a biere and chat to the locals. The owner's wife keeps the village shop. The restaurant has a Corscian menu - often sanglier stew (wild boar) is available. The waiter is a wonderful old boy with barely a tooth in his head and a wonderfully wild moustache. Gorbio, which is just above Menton attracts many walkers so apart from locals, you'll find tourists during the season, with their heavy boots and their sticks. I live 2.5 kilometres below the village (by road) but there is a donkey track I can walk up which takes about 10 or 15 minutes depending on how energetic I'm feeling! Once upon a time all the produce, building materials, everything - was taken to this medieval hill village by donkey using this track.

Facade

This shot of Menton Old Town was taken one morning just near the Italian border before popping across to shop. It was misty and I was disappointed in all the photographs I took. The wizard himself, Abraham Lincoln, very kindly brought it back to life for me. As I've said before I love this facade of jumbled buildings. I must get out on a boat and take a photograph for you. I have a friend with a boat in Menton who is forever asking me but of course there is never time for a day trip out because of the dogs I care for - it's a tough life...

Underneath the arches

If you look at the posting from two days ago, you'll see these are the same arches taken at dusk. It's nice to sit under them: wining, dining and enjoying a balmy evening.

Theme Day: A view from my room

Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am to have a view of the Mediterranean - alright it's only a glimpse - but also the countryside around. The hillside to the right in this photo is densely wooded and full of birds and other wildlife - all of which continues to amaze me, situated as I am, only 11 kilometres from the high-density of Monte Carlo. My neighbour, just above me, keeps pet sheep.

So if you come to visit, we'll be sitting at this table with a bottle of something very drinkable between us. Probably an aperitif before dining in Menton or Gorbio.

To see other views from other rooms around the world, please click on the links below.

Seattle (WA), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Toruń, Poland - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Seoul, Korea - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Vantaa, Finland - Madison (WI), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Omaha (NE), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stockholm, Sweden - Grenoble, France - Lubbock (TX), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Hyde, UK - Joplin (MO), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Kansas City (MO), USA - Naples (FL), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Manila, Philippines - Sydney, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - London, UK - Chandler (AZ), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Singapore, Singapore - Hamburg, Germany - Sydney, Australia - Tenerife, Spain - Moscow, Russia - Lyon, France - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Anderson (SC), USA - Oslo, Norway - Evry, France - Hayle, UK - Mumbai, India - Kitakami, Japan - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - La Antigua, Guatemala - Paderborn, Germany - San Diego (CA), USA - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Madrid, Spain - Lyon, France - Selma (AL), USA - Shanghai, China - Baziège, France - Cologne (NRW), Germany - North Bay (ON), Canada - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Stayton (OR), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Hong Kong, China - Trier, Germany - Joensuu, Finland - Paris, France - Greenville (SC), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Cork, Ireland - Bastia, France - Vancouver, Canada - Brookville (OH), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia

Lunch near the market

Lunch time near the market. This restaurant specialises in seafood and is in Place aux Herbes.

Spending a penny

You probably know what this is but if you don't, it's a public loo. You have to put 30 centimes in the slot and the curved door opens to a self-cleaning lavatory. This facility is just opposite the sea and behind it, you'll see St. John's, the Anglican church in Menton. You can see a better photograph of the church here.

Really so sorry I've not commented lately. After the 10 hour drive from a crazy busy dog show (which I'll write about on my Postcards blog) I now have a dreadful sore throat and cold. Collected my wonderful new car yesterday and promptly bashed it today! I'm not a happy camper. The car is automatic and unfortunately it doesn't hold in Drive - just slips back down my very steep track. Volkswagen tell me the slope is too steep to hold the car. They might have told me this when I ordered the damn thing! Don't ask, just don't ask.... but I will get around to comments soon and try and make up for my absence.

Street vendor

This is typical of a street vendor in Menton - usually from north Africa. Here I love that he's grabbed a seat from the bakery/bar next door. Many sell illegal copies of branded named sunglasses, bags and wallet. However, these may not be copies as there seem to be rather a lot for him to whip up and off ground if the police walk by.

Another look...

You've seen photographs of both the left and right facades in previous posts. On the right is the Basilique Saint- Michel. The construction of this church started in 1640 under the reign of Honoré II, Prince of Monaco and lasted for several centuries. The façade was altered in 1819 in the style and spirit of the 17th Century. This outside area will be hidden by raised seating in August, when the Menton Music Festival takes place.

(Just walked in the door - thanks so much for everyone who has commented whilst I've been away. Will try and catch up over the next few days - now it's wine time after a 10 hour drive and holds up for snow at the Gottard pass in Switzerland!)

Roller blader

This child was taking a rest outside a shop in the pedestrian street of Menton.

A glass of vino?

This is a new wine bar - only been open a month - is in Place aux Herbes.

Dinner at Le Balico

Taken from a table at Le Balico the other evening. Expect more photos of Le B as it's a restaurant I really like. I posted a photo yesterday of this lovely square where you eat under the trees.

Note: Since posting this, sadly Le Balico has been sold and is now under new management.

Place aux Herbes

This is the Place aux Herbes - on the right is Le Balico, my favourite Menton restaurant. The plane trees, now in full leaf, give the square shade and a chance to get away from the heat - and already it's very hot, and goodness, only May.

Tomorrow at the crack of dawn I'm leaving for the north of France to go to a dog show - the Euro-OES-Show in Gerardmer. (OES = Old English Sheepdog) Hope, with luck, to be able to post each day from the hotel computer. However, forgive me, but I won't be able to comment. Back on Monday night. woof woof

Note: Since posting this Le Balico has sadly been sold and is now under new management.

Jumbled

A very small part of the jumble of buildings that makes up the Old Town.

Flaky paint

This doorway was barely seen in an earlier posting - Service du Patrimoine. The shutters could do with a lick of paint and the door could be polished but really, it's nice as it is, don't you think?

Window decor

Presumably the owner of this apartment never closes the shutters. Washing is hung out to dry on the lines near the window-sill. You'll notice the pegs. This apartment is just above l'Occitan, a restaurant near to the market in the Old Town. On reflection, it probably belongs to the restaurant owners, hence the decoration to jolly up the look of the restaurant facade below.

A Mediterranean diet

The market is open every day - although some stalls close on Mondays. Here you see courgette flowers, which are stuffed and deep-fried. The fish in the foreground is, I think, rouget - red mullet. The courgettes in the lower right-hand photograph (zucchini) are the tiny variety but we are lucky enough to get courgettes in many forms. The best are the trompettes which I'll photograph for you another time. Here you can read about them.

Steeples

The steeples of St. Michel and of the Chapel of the Pénitents Blancs, seen from the market place below the old town.

Little old ladies

Outside the main market, you'll always find little old ladies selling produce they grow on their land - perhaps in Menton, perhaps in one of the hill villages. You'll see this lady is selling homemade jams and chutneys and she has a few eggs for sale as well. Sorry I nearly chopped her head off in this second photo. (Oseille is sorrel.)

A style of house

This is a longer view - this time taken from the front - of the building featured two days ago when you saw a close-up of the side of the building. The building faces the sea and is just by the casino. You can see the detailed photograph here. Abraham asked if this style of architecture has a name and I just don't know. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than me can help. Certainly, many buildings have those lovely tall French windows, and that colour turquoise is much used in Menton.

Green Gate

A entrance in the Vieille Ville. with the usual collection of exterior plumbing artwork.

Just a small detail...

This is a detail from a building just across from the English church I showed the other day. It's on a corner, just in from the sea. You see this turquoise colour on many buildings: on shutters, pots, ceramic ornamentation.

The Wilder Shores of Love

Lesley Blanch at her 100th birthday party in the gardens of the Clos du Perronet, Menton

Today I went to the beautiful and moving funeral of Lesley Blanch, the writer and traveller. It was held in the church of Roquebrune village. Roquebrune adjoins Menton. Lesley Blanch, who died at the age of 102, lived in Menton and was, at one time married to the writer and diplomat, Romain Gary. She was always known locally as Madame Gary. You can read her obituraries in The Times, The Independent, The Telegraph. Here is The Telegraph's obituary - it's worth reading - she was an amazing lady. Suffice to say I am privileged to have known her. The Wilder Shores of Love was Lesley's best known book - it has never been out of print since its first publication in 1954.

Inside the church awaiting arrival of coffin

The priest making the blessing with incense

Outside the church

Unnatural fishing

Fishing off the rocks in Menton - this was taken in an area between the Old Town and Roquebrune-cap-Martin. Note: this breakwater is man-made, but what the hell....

A jug apart

This ornate silver jug was for sale on the same stall that sold the silver champagne bowl featured the other day. You can see that lovely object here.

Service du Patrimoine

The Service du Patrimoine organises walking tours around Menton's famous gardens and also gives regular tours of the beautiful Old Town. They also organise exhibitions relating to the history of Menton. This is their headquarters and is where visitors meet prior to a tour. The guides are always people qualified by the Minister of Culture.

St. John's Anglican Church, Menton

St. John's is part of the Diocese in Europe that exists to serve Anglicans across Continental Europe and beyond. English congregations and churches have been established on the European mainland since before the Reformation. The Diocese in Europe is present in 42 countries with around 250 chaplaincies and congregations, and forms part of the Province of Canterbury.

St. John's has a library with over 5000 English books - it's open twice a week and is a focus for English-speakers in Menton who like to meet over a cup of tea!

The church is situated one street in from the sea and just across from the Jardin de Bioves and the Casino.