We continue our walk - a glance to our right and we see this small ruin - perhaps once a shepherd's dwelling.
In the smaller photo you can see we are looking down on the main road that runs from Menton to Gorbio - the tumbledown building on the other side.
It always astounds me that we are in the depths of the countryside here yet only 11 or so kilometres from the buzz of Monte Carlo.
We're on our way. The donkey track rises steadily - later it gets steeper. Notice the red and white tape, warning us that part of the track has fallen down the hillside. Don't go too near the edge! The Mairie intends restoring this ancient track which is great news.
You can see the individual steps going up the track, although some have sunk a little over the centuries. In the old days, this track was the only way in and out of the village of Gorbio, with absolutely everything carried on the backs of the donkeys.
In the last photo, you see one of the many wooden signs you'll find throughout the Alpes-Maritimes. These signs for walkers are very helpful.
Update on Mama Mia and Mistral on Postcards today.
We've turned left at the top of my track and we are walking along the main road towards the beginning of the donkey track. (See smaller photo.)
High up on the left you see Gorbio village - that's where we are going. We're looking at the back of the Château des Comptes de Malaussene, not the normal view we see of the village. Please click on the link to see Gorbio village from the other side.
In the main photo we see the gated entrance to a judge's house (this was restored a few years ago) and to the right, just by the pale green structure is the entrance to the donkey track.
Tomorrow - we are on our way.
Today, we start the walk to the village of Gorbio via the old donkey path - at one time the only access to this perched medieval village. And no, we are not yet on it, we are simply on the track leading from my house. We've had an encouraging cup of coffee, we've got our walking shoes on - and off we go. We've already walked up one part of my track (much steeper than the part you see here) and very good for those thigh muscles, ladies! When we get to the top we'll turn left, walk past the mail box and be on our way.
Tomorrow - we take a look at the village from below.
The Old Town of Menton, every perched village near to Menton - all are crammed with little pathways, covered walkways, passages - here is a covered passageway in the medieval hill village of Roquebrune. I posted a closer shot of this a while back. The sign on the right shows where the writer and diplomat, Romain Gary, lived. (Please click on the link to see that photograph and read more.)
By the way, in case you wonder why there is a bottle of water on the street. It's to stop dogs peeing against doorways - the idea being that the reflection puts them off. You see plastic water bottles in every hill village.
Today, being the 1st of the month, it's Theme Day on City Daily Photo (Paths & Passages) and as always there will be a myriad of wonders to see on blogs throughout the world. Please click here to view thumbnails for all participants
Tomorrow: - we walk the old Donkey Track to Gorbio village.
If you want to learn to skate, you'll surely fall.
I doubt any of these children will grow up to be Olympic skaters as Menton has an ice-rink over the Christmas/New Year period only - but one thing is sure, the ice rink has to be in one of the most beautiful positions imaginable - right by the Mediterranean, with the hills of Italy in the distance.
Le foot - as football is called in France. Every little boy's dream and more fun than any of the rides on offer at the fair.
In the background of the main photograph you see some of the pots on sale from Tunisia.
(These photographs were taken on the 4th January at the Christmas & New Year Fair)
We're down from the Big Wheel and walking around the Fair. This adventurous little girl wears a harness and so is supported by the taut wire.
We're high up on the Big Wheel and looking towards the steeples of the Old Town. Instead of looking up at those palms, they are below us. And notice the arches in the bottom centre - they lead to Place des Herbes.
We see a corner of the beautiful Moorish market building on the left. High up on the left, we see the cemetery - enlarge the photo and we can just see the top of beautiful Russian chapel. And on the right, the autoroute which would put us in Italy in just a few minutes.
We're way up in the Big Wheel and this time looking in the opposite direction to yesterday's photograph. About three quarters of the way along this sweep of bay, Menton becomes Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Cap Martin is the cape jutting out to sea at the end of the bay. Monaco is beyond.
I'm so used to photographing from ground level, that to me this bay looks so different. And of course more Matchstick Men and Women (see yesterday's post for the YouTube video).
We are looking down on the ice-rink set up for the Christmas and New Year Fair. You see Italy in the distance. (Photos taken on the 4th January)
Doesn't it remind you of L. S. Lowry's wonderful paintings of matchstick men and women?
Remember the tribute song to Lowry - 'Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs?'
If you don't know Lowry - and even if you do - do click on the YouTube link (above) to see many of his marvellous paintings and hear the tribute song written and sung by Brian & Michael in 1978. Lowry died in 1976. The song was 3 weeks at No. 1 and 19 weeks in the charts.
Come fly with me! We're going up in the big wheel to see Menton from the air.
A couple of years ago we had a bigger and therefore higher wheel in Menton. This one is a replica of an ancient wheel and is only 20 metres high.
It costs 2.5 euros for four rotations and we've got a whole section to ourselves as there aren't many people wanting to ride today. Go on - get in - off we go...
A corner of Le Balico, my favourite restaurant in Menton.
The main photo was taken with a flash - too much bright colour - and so perhaps better in B & W.
The smaller one (a slightly different shot and showing the 'Winter in Monte Carlo' poster), was taken without flash - it's slightly blurry but it has a much softer, gentler look than the flashed photo.
Which do you prefer?
Note: Since posting this, Le Balico has been sold and is now under new management.
Our last day revisiting the village wedding and so we feature the stars of the show - the beautiful bride and the handsome groom.
The first shows off the bride's beautiful dress. And take a look at the second one, a kiss for the bride - and notice the little girl with handfuls of confetti rose petals. She was featured here.
A big thank you to Patricia and Walter and every good wish for long life and happiness together.
Not everyone wore a buttonhole so presumably this gentleman is a family member.
A sea of guests celebrating the wedding in Gorbio. Is the man bending over looking through a monocle? Perhaps he's taking a photograph.
And today there will be considerably more than a sea - there'll be an OCEAN - of people in Washington D.C. for the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America.
The great day has finally arrived! Barack Obama, an intelligent, charismatic, charming, thoughtful man brings change and hope to America and so to the rest of the world. Happy Inauguration Day, Mr President.
This couple are spooning something out of tiny glasses. You can see a tray of them in the smaller photograph - they are decorated with flowers. Perhaps a fruit salad? Perhaps a sorbet?
That's my girl!
You may remember the adorable Laura - click on the link to see another photograph of her.
Two beautiful women, two different ways of dressing - and both stylish.
All the children at the wedding were just delightful. French and Italian children are so much part of life here and are used to eating out with their parents so today was just another day, albeit a special one. Dare I say it, they know how to behave.
The adorable little girl in the middle of the photograph - you see her again on the left - turned up in many photographs. She had so much energy, she never stopped laughing, and she seemed to be everywhere. A little tomboy. Actually she reminded me of myself as a child!
I didn't know if there was a word for 'tomboy' in French and it appears to be garçon manqué but of course in English it can be used for a girl. Whether or not it is in French, I don't know.
And the beautiful child dressed in white - you can see her portrait HERE.
Update on Mama Mia and Mistral - please click on the link.
As you probably gather, I just loved taking photographs at this wedding and one of the most interesting things was the diversity in guests. Compare this tanned gentleman, for instance, with his long blond streaked hair and relaxed form of dress and jewellry, with the bronzed gentleman shown four days ago.
This is a tale of a lump of chewing gum.
This young couple - just look at her amazing shoes - are leaving the wedding. He stops (small photo) as he has 'something' on his shoe. That gets sorted and they continue. Kudos to her walking with those high heels on the cobblestones?
Do you remember the mother helping her child to drink - a glass in each hand? (see photo on left)
Two friends catching up - girl talk.
In the smaller photograph, I wonder what fascinating snippet of information is being discussed. You can almost hear this beauty saying - in French, of course - C'est pas vrai! - Oh, no!
Good looking, sun tanned, smartly dressed - a guest at the wedding...but does he bite his fingernails?
At a village wedding, life goes on around it. Here you see the bride and groom walking up the village to change their clothes for the main reception later. Ahead, a village dog, and on the right, a football is held steady. Outside the church village children play with the rose petal confetti and perhaps dream of the day when it will be their turn.
Everyone is pouring out of the church and then turning to await the appearance of the bride and groom. The gentleman with the buttonhole is the father of the bride. Don't you love his expression? He is positively bursting with pride and justifiably so. And don't you think he could play Hercule Poirot?
You can see in the smaller photograph what a marvellous view this man has - see his window very high on the right?
There was another onlooker at the wedding - remember the old lady with the painful hands? Click on the link to view.
Caption Competition from yesterday - results tomorrow.
Update on Mama Mia and Mistral on Postcards from 'Pension Milou' today.
