The Donkey Track to Gorbio - Lifeline to the Village

Look at the path that's been here for centuries - walked on by countless donkeys - the lifeline to the village. Don't you love the patina, the weathered shapes, the rounded edges, the moss, the feeling of great age. The walls are falling, rocks have tumbled, but these will eventually be restored by the Mairie.

We're about half way and the photo on the left gives an idea. Look back and see how far we've come (actually we've come much further than you see). Now look up - the track gets steeper.

This series continues on Sunday - so we have time for a rest - tomorrow we'll have a small celebration - do come back...

The Donkey Track to Gorbio - Tumbledown

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.

The Donkey Track to Gorbio - Chemin des Ânes

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.

The Donkey Track to Gorbio - from Road to the Track

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.

The Donkey Track to Gorbio - Leaving Home

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.

Theme Day: Paths & Passages

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.

Childhood - the Fall

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.

Childhood - le Foot

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)

Childhood - Walk the walk

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.

A Ride on the Big Wheel - Steeples

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.

A Ride on the Big Wheel - Up, up & away...

A view for two.

A Ride on the Big Wheel - Baywatch

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).

A Ride on the Big Wheel - Matchstick Men

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.

He painted Salford's smokey tops
On cardboard boxes from the shops
And parts of ancoats where I used to play
I'm sure he once walked down our street
Cause he painted kids who had nowt on their feet
The clothes we wore had all see better days

Now they said his works of art were dull
No room all round the walls are full
But Lowry didn't care much anyway
They said he just paints cats and dogs
And matchstalk men in boots and clogs
And Lowry said that's just the way they'll stay

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He painted kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

Now canvas and brushes were wearing thin
When London started calling him
To come on down and wear the old flat cap
They said tell us all about your ways
And all about them Salford days
Is it true you're just an ordinary chap

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He painted kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

Now Lowry's hang upon the wall
Beside the greatest of them all
And even the Mona Lisa takes a bow
This tired old man with hair like snow
Told northern folk its time to go
The fever came and the good lord mopped his brow

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs
He left us kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

A Ride on the Big Wheel

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...

Marilyn at Le Balico

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.

Village Wedding Revisited (49) - the Bride & Groom

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.

Village Wedding Revisited (48) - the Buttonhole

Not everyone wore a buttonhole so presumably this gentleman is a family member.

'When I walk with you I feel as if I had a flower in my buttonhole'
- William Makepeace Thackeray (1811 - 1863)

Tomorrow...the last day of the wedding.

Nice-Matin's headline today: 'America is Back!'

Village Wedding Revisited (47) - a Sea of People

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.

Village Wedding Revisited (46) - the Fruit Cup

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?

Village Wedding Revisited (45) - Proud Papa

That's my girl!

You may remember the adorable Laura - click on the link to see another photograph of her.

Village Wedding Revisited (44) - Style

Two beautiful women, two different ways of dressing - and both stylish.

'Fashions fade, style is eternal' - Yves Saint Laurent

Village Wedding Revisited (43) - the Tomboy

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.

Village Wedding Revisited (42) - the Blond

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.

Village Wedding Revisited (41) - the Chewing Gum

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?

Village Wedding Revisited (40) - the Thoughtful Husband

Do you remember the mother helping her child to drink - a glass in each hand? (see photo on left)

How does such a Maman get something to eat? Easy - along comes the helpful husband, ready to feed his wife a tasty goody - you see this in the B & W pic and also in the last one.

Note the area specially created for the children.

Village Wedding Revisited (39) - Girl Talk

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!

Village Wedding Revisited (38) - Bronzé

Good looking, sun tanned, smartly dressed - a guest at the wedding...but does he bite his fingernails?

Village Wedding Revisited (37) - the Football

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.

Village Wedding Revisited (36) - the Father of the Bride

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?

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Results of the Caption Competition from two days ago. It was so difficult to choose a winner, because all the Captions were good and made me laugh. In the end I chose two different ways of interpreting what the boy might have said.

One is Marley from Cheltenham Daily Photo, who wrote: "Fancy giving that a go?" I liked the brevity of this - just an aside, as it were. It seemed to go with the boy's expression.

The second is Kate from Visual St. Paul, who perhaps got to the essence of what a child would really say with her choice - "Oh, gross."

A postcard of Menton will soon be on its way to Marley and Kate. Thanks so much to everyone who commented.