Feathers

What's all this about then? Feathers in a drainpipe on Rue Longue.

Are these home-made Christmas decorations (note the gold ribbon)...or is this a pigeon deterrent?

The Joys of Menton

Yesterday was a joyously glorious day. It was windy and the colours were fabulous and look how the breaking waves echo the low clouds.

Is it any surprise that I LOVE Menton so much!

Christmas Decorations

Rue Longue in the Old Town where the Christmas decorations have been hung.

The Coffee Machine

What I want to know is ... where did she brew the coffee in that espresso machine? No hotplates on the rocks at Cap Martin!

Sign for Australians?

Translation: noitaiveD nairtsedeP

A Swan in the Sea

Swans live on rivers and lakes, don't they? I didn't know they swam on the sea.

This one was quietly swimming just off the Sablettes Beach.

You can see it just left of the base of the palm in the lower photo.

The Umbrella Pine

The Umbrella or Stone Pine is such a typically Mediterranean tree. You see a lot of them on Promenade Le Corbusier which is the beach walk between Cap Martin and Monaco. The tree's Latin name is Pinus Pinea and it produces the pine nut which of course is a major element in that wonderful sauce we eat on pasta called Pesto Alla Genovese. I usually buy my pesto sauce at Menton's market or across the border in Latte or Ventimiglia.

The Fisherman

Fishing off Cap Martin yesterday.

Place du Cap

We've had three days of very heavy rain in the south of France. A deluge.

This shot though was taken a couple of weeks ago after a mere shower in comparison. We are in the centre of Place du Cap. Note the young man in an alcove on the left, sheltering from the rain that has just stopped.

Youth

Summer has gone and we've had two days and two nights of heavy rain - so obviously this is an archive photo. I love taking 'people' photos - they fascinate me - but why do so many young people look miserable?

'Youth is wasted on the young' ~ George Bernard Shaw

Homeless at Menton Railway Station

Menton railway station, a homeless person asleep at the entrance and two ladies who didn't notice.

To see how other bloggers in the City Daily Photo community have interpreted today's theme of 'Public Transportation' please click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Des Res - in need of TLC

In need of a little work, don't you think? This old house is in one of the main streets of Castellar, an old village above Menton.

Christophe - the Potato, Onion and Garlic Man!

Christophe is a fixture at Menton's indoor market. You want a specific variety of potato, he'll have it. You want to know the best potato or onion for a specific dish, he knows the answer.

And more than that, Christophe has a cheery word for everyone and never stops smiling. And it doesn't hurt that he's good looking too!

Moving the Beach

This digger is pushing the beach back into the sea. It's exactly where Menton meets Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and is where the river that comes down the Gorbio valley meets the sea.

Behind Bars

'What do you fear my lady?'

'A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them and all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire.'

~ J.R.R.Tolkien - Lord of the Rings

The Pharmacy Restaurant

Of course it's not a pharmacy restaurant - simply that when the pharmacy closes for the day the restaurant alongside has somewhere to place extra tables for the evening. We're in the pedestrian street near to the Place du Cap.

Too Big for the Church

The cross that is too big to go into the church. Inside are all 250 Penitents and their banners but this brotherhood, from Vallecrosia in Italy, have already been blessed by the Bishop and now view the service from outside. As it was they had difficulty getting the cross through the medieval archway leading up to the village and the mind boggles as to how they transported it from their village in Italy to Gorbio. It was quite a sight though and enjoyed by everyone.

The Cross that is Too Big

We're back in the medieval village of Gorbio today because I want to tell you the story of the cross that may be too big to get into the church.

This is a gathering of 250 Penitents from all around the region. Each order holds a banner except one from Vallecrosia in Italy which has an enormous ornate and heavy cross - but will it go into the church? We'll find out tomorrow.

False Pepper

We're in a pretty corner of Roquebrune village today. This is a faux poivrier or False Pepper tree - Schinus Molle if you speak Latin. It produces pink peppercorns which can be used in cooking.

The Dryer

The village of Castellar - and how to dry your clothes in the rain.