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.

Back to Munich

Unfortunately the weather was not very good today. It was overcast and then it started to rain.Not the perfect weather for "la Fête de Mimosa"
The town was beautifully decorated with mimosas.
Because it is carneval there were all kinds of figures. It reminded me a bit of our German Fasching

Then I went back to the house and packed the last things together. Balou was quite sad that we are all leaving. Well I am a bit sad too that I have to leave.

The weather in Munich is beautiful but a bit colder than in France.

The old Hofbräuhaus right around the corner from where I live.So folks that was it. Maybe I will upload some more pictures in the next days so watch this space.

Winter in the South of France IV

So today is my last day here. I am going back to Munich at 14:50. Claudia is already on her way back to Frankfurt.
The last few days we were a bit lazy. We stayed in the house reading and walked the dog. In the afternoon we usually walked to the old village of Biot and had a drink at the piazza.

The piazza in Biot. Already decorated for the fest of the mimosas

Thats where we have our drink in the late afternoon.

Balou always likes to join us

The old village of Biot

Yesterday we drove up to St. Paul visiting the Fondation Maeght http://www.fondation-maeght.com/ . Whenever I find the time during my stays here in the South of France I go to visit the exhibitions there.

CalderMiro

Giacometti Walking Men

Miro

Later we had lunch at the Colombe d´Or http://www.la-colombe-dor.com/ . I must say that the menu card hasn’t change much since the times when I used to go there with my grandparents but it is always nice to go there and enjoy the arts and the beautiful surroundings. The weather was good so we could sit outside.

We took a little walk through the old medieval village of St. Paul which is really great during this time of the season because there are only a few tourists. I can’t recommend doing this during the summer season. The place is so packed that you can hardly move.

St. Paul de VenceAmazing view to the Alps. You only see them during wintertime.

Later we had a drink in Biot and then went home cooking.

Now I am sitting here writing my blog. I will have a short look at the little fest of the mimosas in Biot that takes place today. At around 1:30 I have to leave for the airport. Maybe later I will post some pictures of the festivities.

Winter in the South of France III

Wednesday morning we went to Antibes and then moved on to Cannes doing some shopping at the Rue d´Antibes. Bought a new pair of trainers.

We went up the hill to the old quarter of Cannes called Suquet and visited the church and the museum. Later we had lunch in one of the many restaurants along the Croisette.



Today we went down to Antibes again buying some groceries at the Marché Provencal
And had a look at the little antique market that takes place every Thursday.

The little doggy is not for sale!

Later we visited the old part of Cagnes. Had a nice lunch at the piazza.

Haute Cagnes

Back home we put on the open fireplace and read our books.

Winter in the South of France II

On Sunday we went down to Cannes and had a look at what was happening at the MIDEM festival. The weather was just perfect and we had lunch at the beach.

Later we drove back around the Cap d´Antibes.

Monday morning we visited the antique market in Nice which is always very interesting and fun. I love to make photos of the old teddy bears.

We had a little breakfast there and later we bought some groceries at the Geant market. This is really impressive and has dimensions like supermarkets in the US.


In the afternoon we went hiking with Balou down Sentier la Brague. Thank god the goats were inside this time. Later we walked to Biot and had a drink at the piazza.

Sentier la Brague

Antibes market

Today we went to Antibes to buy some groceries at the beautiful market and then to Cannes again and took a boat to the Lerins Island of St. Honorat. I have been here the last time when I was a little child. It was very peaceful and quiet because there are no tourists at this time of the year.

For more information look at this: http://www.abbayedelerins.com/

It was a bit cold though and lots of clouds in the sky. At least it was not raining.

Beside the old and new monastery there are plenty of little chappels on the island.