'Fideuà Gitane' and the Mayor's Headache

It's 15.30h and the 'Fideuà Gitane' is cooking for the 500 people expected tonight. There are three or four of these dishes already underway.

Fideuà is a Valencian noodle and is a dish typical of that part of Spain. It's similar to Paella but instead of being served with rice, it is served with noodles.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Gorbio (left) is tearing his hair out! Last night the Flamenco Festival was cancelled as we had incredibly heavy rain for hours. Tonight he has all the people with tickets from last night (400) wanting a seat (and a meal), along with those who have booked for tonight! In the end 500 meals were served as presumably some of those from last night didn't turn up.

'Rumberos' - the Warm-up

It's afternoon on the last day of the Flamenco Festival. We've visited the flamenco classes and have now wandered up to the Place des Victories in the village (normally the carpark!) which this evening will welcome 500 people to dine, to listen to guitar music and singing and of course to watch fabulous flamenco.

On stage, there is a sound call going on and lucky me got to hear some fabulous guitar music and sensational singing. This is Léo Trevino who we'll be seeing along with the rest of the Rumberos when they sing liturgical chants in the church at 18.00h.

Isabel Cortes - Flamenco!

This is Isabel Cortes, the flamenco teacher, noted flamenco dancer and also co-organiser of the three-day event.

The intensity and passion in the face, the hands, the feet, the body, the dance - flamenco!

The Flamenco Festival is a three-day event in Gorbio and unfortunately, on the Saturday night (with 400 people booked for the Paella Géante) it fell down with rain all afternoon and into the early evening. The Mayor had no choice but to cancel, so the next evening, which was the last evening of the festival, no seats were available. Next year I'll get there!

The Festival includes guitar groups and gitane music and singing in the church - so do come back tomorrow.

The Flamenco Class

Each year Gorbio holds a Flamenco Festival - this is the bigger Fete Day of the year in the village with hundreds of visitors arriving to hear the music and see the dancing. And the dancers are not 'tourist flamenco' dancers but the real gitane dancing.

Here we see Isabel Cortes giving flamenco classes in the village hall. Tomorrow - more of Mme Cortes, who is celebrated in the world of flamenco.

The Couple

This sculpture stands in the gardens of the Palais Carnoles, Menton's Museum of Fine Art. It's called Couple and was sculpted in 1987 by Robert Juvin, a sculptor who fought with the resistance in the war and was later awarded the Croix de Guerre.

Menton or Gisburn - the Renault Mégane Experiment

If you are British you've probably seen the new Renault Mégane TV advert which asks 'Can a car change a town?' and compares Menton with the Lancastrian village of Gisburn (population 500). The advert is based on a cleverly-designed spoof of market research: according to Renault, statistics show that towns with more Méganes, such as Menton are happier, have higher rates of fertility, and longer life expectancies.

The teaser ad shows a swimming pool in Menton contrasted with a puddle in Gisburn; a glamorous French couple sipping wine with a frumpy couple drinking tea from a thermos flask; and designer shoes with an old pair of slippers.

To put this theory to the test, they send Claude, a consultant in 'joie de vivre' to Gisburn, a village with no Méganes and apparently very little joie de vivre at all.... to conduct 'The Mégane Experiment'. The hapless Claude - a kind of Gallic Borat - tries to woo the locals with the chance to win a free Mégane, but receives in return only blank stares. To read MORE click on the link.

The advert caused a few ruffled feathers in Gisburn but Menton is more than happy to bask in the free publicity and Nice-Matin recently devoted the whole of its backpage (Menton edition) to the story.

Click on the following documentary to see the whole story. It lasts for eleven minutes but truly it's very funny - make a cup of coffee, sit back and do watch! Claude is amazing!

The Icons of Elvire Mercatini - 2

Meet Elvire, the Menton artist who creates these beautiful icons. The photo below shows Elvire's interpretation of Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (The Book of Hours).

And note the smaller photo which shows a little more of the beautiful Chapelle Saint Jacques which housed Elvire's work.

The Icons of Elvire Mercatini

There's a tiny and very pretty little chapel in Garavan - right next to the Napoleon hotel - and often it's used for art exhibitions.

The artist is Elvire Mercatini who lives in Menton and creates these beautiful icons. We'll meet her tomorrow. The work is incredibly detailed and she applies 40 coats of paint to create the effect she wants.

Do come back tomorrow and meet her and take a closer look at the chapel.

Boutchette and the Village Children

One of the many good things about living in a medieval village is that the children can play in total safety.

Here they are in the village square, playing with Boutchette, the Bassett Hound that belongs to Le Beau Sejour. Click on the link to see Boutchette a year ago when she was a puppy - adorable - she still is.

Rosa Gigantea at the Clos du Peyronnet

Menton is famous for its gardens of which the Clos du Peyronnet is one of my favourites. Here's a pretty corner with Rosa Gigantea tumbling over a wall. The garden has been in the same family since 1912. For an interview with the owner, William Waterfield - please click on the link.

This was taken in April last year with my old camera, the Lumix FZ18.

'You've got Mail'

Place du Cap.

'Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.' ~ Charles Dickens

'I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.' ~ Bill Gates

Vaïmater and the Duckling

Meet Vaïmater - a three year old daughter of the village and so proud of her baby duckling.

The Washing Line

Washing hanging on a line in Gorbio village. With the warmth of the sun, it won't take long to dry. What is it about medieval villages and washing that is so fascinating? I'm forever photographing washing hanging below windows or on lines in gardens.

The smaller photo shows how far away the washing is.

Seeing Double

Another chance to see yesterday's lady with the fan. Today we are inside the villa of the Serre de la Madone.

The smaller photo is taken as a few people gathered early prior to the exhibition opening. Later, the place was packed out.

A special treat: the medieval village of Gorbio was honoured by a visit from Barbie the other day. To see - click on Barbie of the Day.

The Fan

Before living here I used to think of a fan as something used in a theatre production or perhaps bought in a fairground. In Menton it's quite usual to see women fanning themselves on a warm evening.

This lady is listening to an artist welcoming us to the vernissage of his exhibition at the Serre de la Madone.

I wouldn't mind her cheekbones!

Android in a Medieval Village

Wander through the medieval village of Gorbio and amazingly you come across this sign which, if you have an iPhone and the right App you simply take a photo of the 2D Tag (bar code) and you will then get a commentary relating to where you are in the village. I don't have an iPhone so can't try it but I imagine you get photos too or perhaps a video. These signs are throughout the village at all the main points of interest.

Isn't technology amazing! It's extraordinary to walk on ancient cobbles in narrow streets and come upon these signs. Old and new. Ancient and modern.

Infographie and the Teacher

We are continuing our visit to the exhibition of students work from the Ecole Municipale des Arts Plastiques.

Meet Christelle Esperto who teaches infographie - computer graphics or art made on the computer. You can see some examples of her students' work on the walls. Notice Johnny Depp in the smaller photo?

I wouldn't have a clue how this work is done but I understand that no original photograph is involved.

In the smaller photo you can see the Mayor of Menton in the foreground. The lady with him is the Principal of the school which takes students as young as 6 and with no top age limit.

Painting the Town...

Menton's glorious facade of the Old Town as painted in separate panels by students of the Ecole Municipale des Arts Plastiques. It was displayed at the Palais de l'Europe along with pottery, painting, photography etc.

In the smaller photo, visitors to the exhibition are pointing out individual houses in the finished work - and it was a big!

This would have worked fine for yesterday's 'bright colours' theme, wouldn't it?

Lady in Pink

Pink dress, crutches (one purple and one green) gold shoes, bright lipstick and eye shadow. I've seen this lady around Menton and despite the obvious difficulty she has in walking she doesn't let it get her down. The bright colours she wears suit her obviously sunny personality.

It's Theme Day in the City Daily Photo community and today's theme is BRIGHT COLOURS. Click on the link to see colour from around the world.

Sun, Shade and Silhouettes in Gorbio

Gorbio village. They knew what they were doing in medieval times when they built houses with such thick walls. The sun slams down yet the village stays shady and cool.