Port la Galere

This morning it was beautiful and sunny. After taking a swim in the pool I went to the village of Biot and had coffee at the piazza ( the cute waiter was there again!) Later I took of to Port La Galere visiting my long time friends Dorle and Jürgen. The Estate of Port La Galere is next to Theoule beneath the Esterel mountains. It is an amazing "Domaine" with lots of interesting architecture.

Their beautiful flat has several terraces facing the sea.

Later we went down having lunch. I had a huge and delicous pizza quattro stagioni.

After lunch we went to the beautiful swimmingpool but then it became quite chilly and it started to rain again.

We took a little walk around the estate wich exists of several villas, flats, a hotel, restaurants and other facilities.

The waves were becoming quite big so the possibility of swimming in the sea was not given.

We went back to their flat and had another drink then I went back to Biot.

Monte Carlo

Yesterday was the first day that was almost sunny the whole day through. So I decided to stay at home spending most of the day at the pool reading and playing with Balou. In the early evening I walked to the village of Biot and had dinner at the little pub Cafe Brun. Later I tried to put on the fire in the open fireplace but after an hour I gave up.

Maybe the wood was too humid even though it didn’t feel like it.

It’s amazing when you think about how fast a building can burn down just by a cigarette that has not been extinguished properly and then on the other hand it’s so hard making a fire even though you use all kinds of fire accelerants.

That was the result after trying to make fire for over an hour.

Well, went to bed early, reading and watching TV.

This morning it was sunny and I took a walk to the village. Bought the newspaper and had coffee at the piazza. (The new waiter there is really cute!)

At around 11:30 am I drove to Monte Carlo. It was so packed like I have never seen it before.

After I had found a space at the parking lot I took a walk through the beautiful little park and around the Casino.

Ducks sleeping in the park. And an amazing flower. Then I saw what was going on. At the moment there is the biggest yacht exhibition of the world in Monaco.



Casino Monte Carlo with the Cafe de Paris on the left side.

Palais Garnier the little opera house of Monte Carlo built by the same architect who had designed the Paris opera.

Ín memoriam Serge Diaghilew the founder of the Ballets Russe and predecessor of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. My friend Kathy who has been a dancer is working for the Ballets de Monte Carlo.


At around 1:00 pm I met my dear friend Kathy and we had a nice lunch at the Café de Paris. Luckily we were sitting under a porch roof because later a big thunderstorm started and heavy rain showers.

I always enjoy meeting Kathy she is one of the nicest people on this planet and it´s always interesting talking to her. Unfortunately she has a lot of work to do at the moment so I am looking forward to January 2009 when I am back she hopefully has got a bit more time.

Went back to home at about 3:30 pm and it also had rained in Biot and it´s cold again. Think I am having a little nap now.

Cannes

So today it was getting a bit nicer. Went down to Cannes and it really got very warm.
Saw a guy building interessting sandbuildings on the beach.

Went down the "Rue d´Antibes" with all it´s nice little shops.

I always love to walk along the Rue d´Antibes , I have some memories, me going shopping with my grandparents here. You must know, when I was a kid they didn´t have really nice clothes for children. So each year I went here with my grandparents they bought me a new pair of golden sandalletes that you could never ever get in Germany at this time. I was quite proud and thankful of having them!

Got a bit sad about thinking that most of my family has passed away and that I had spent the most happiest time of my childhood and teenage days here. But then again I think one must be thankfull of all the memories.

Afterwards I drove back and took the way around the "Cap" which is always nice at this time of year. Coming back to Biot the sun also appeared here. So I went down to our pool but unfortunately it started to rain after 20 minutes. I went up to the bedroom reading and then falling asleep. Now everyone in the house is gone. Even Balou. Hope he is out with the caretakers. Cooked myself a meal, had a phonecall with one of my dearest friends and then - bed.

Bad Weather

Yesterday the weather was still kind of bad and it it´s quite cold here. In the afternoon my old friend André Presser and his lovely girlfriend Leonie came over from Juan les Pins to visit me and we had a very nice afternoon and later I cooked dinner for all of us.

Today the weather got a bit better and I was lying at the pool, had a swim and played with Balou. He still has to learn to give back the ball if he wants to play.

So tomorrow I guess I will drive down to Cannes and do a little shopping when the weather is better. Well the forecast said it will be.

BACK IN FRANCE

So it has been nearly 8 months since I have been in Biot. Haven´t had a vacation since then and I am feeling kind of exhausted.

It was quite a difficult year till now. I had a big operation and worked very hard in my various jobs. The last five weeks I didn´t even had a weekend off.

I arrived yesterday late afternoon and unfortunately it´s pooring. We had a big thunderstorm last night. I stayed in bed till 10:00 am had a cup of coffee and a swim in the pool when it stopped raining. In the afternoon I took a walk to the village of Biot buying some groceries and afterwards I took a long nap. Now I am sitting at the openfireplace reading and watching TV.

The weatherforecast announced that it will get better on tuesday. So lets hope for the best.

I am all here by myself except the caretakers and the dog Balou. He actually is my only company. Later this week I will meet some friends that are happen to be here and of course my dear friend Kathy who lives in Monte Carlo.

I will post more pictures when the weather gets nicer.