When we got off the plane back in England after a week with the Schmitts, we were greeted by this sign. It made us laugh and I think the Schmitts need to have it on their next Thanksgiving Invitation. Just an idea to pass on to Lyn.
Waiting on the train to take us to the Nice Airport on Saturday, far too early and with far too heavy backpacks. It seems that this blog is going to have to be backwards due to the way I loaded the pictures (blogger makes the ones you load first be at the end). Anyway, this will be a view into our trip from end to beginning. It was a fantabulous trip and Ally and Schmittdog were great travel buddies. I miss 'em!
Yes, he does just keep getting better looking.
Monte Carlo - Monte Carlo Casino. We didn't actually go past the entrance hall (which was impressive nonetheless) because we didn't want to pay the 10 Euros when we weren't exactly high rollers.
This is taken in Monte Carlo as well (Monaco) at a cafe where we took a little break.
'The Rock' in Monaco. We were dumped on by a fury of rain on the way up, but were impressed by the view and Jordan's panini at the top.
What a sweet man, he dumped water on my head in our street fight.
Lap of luxury. Our yacht is down there somewhere.
Jordan has a newfound crush on Princess Grace, which clearly makes me giggle.
Here we are in Monte Carlo; we missed the Grand Prix by a week though they were already set up for it.
GRAND PRIX - MONACO - 2008
These are all from Cannes during the film festival. We stumbled upon the red carpet and premier of Kungfu Panda, which involved a lot of famous people. Some of the views were obstructed so I took pictures of the screen provided for further out fans such as ourselves. Above is Jack Black, below the pregnant Angelina Jolie and the Panda.
Here is a real shot of Angie, Brad, Panda, Dustin Hoffman, and the rest (Lucy Liu, Jack Black, whomever else). Angelina has the green dress on.
Another of 'the stars' on the red carpet.
I love that mohawk; stylish. And Ally and Schmittdog look great together in the Cannes fading light.
Cannes, with all the gorgeous yachts.
Apparently I am pretty rubbish at putting my head in these things and also outsized for the figure of fake Lara Croft.
Jordan was outsized for his mold as well. Thank goodness he redeemed himself by snapping a shot of the old man ditching his trousers.
NICE:
MARC CHAGALL
Weirdo special exhibit. At least Romeo told us all about it; what a good security guard.
Our hotel room in Juan Les Pins. Gorgeous beaches and a great location (and great price) made up for the tiny hotel rooms with built-in bathrooms (by that I mean they installed toilets in the room and then kind of walled them off with plastic). It was good though, clean in any case, and at least Jordan and my air con unit worked. Sorry Schmitts.
Picnic at the Chagall museum (after an hour of wandering around looking for open restaurants). It was an ideal picnic, perfect setting, we even made the Japanese tourists want to come on the museum lawn with us.
Juan Les Pin - the gorgeous beach.
Cute old men playing a version of Bocce Ball. You can see this in parks all over this part of France (maybe all over France?)
A wonderful beachside restaurant in Juan Les Pins
The four of us were sitting on a jetty after dinner and I dropped my flipflop into the water between rocks. I'm very skirmish but Schmitty hopped down onto the rocks and reached his hand into the black scariness and rescued my flop. This is only a reenactment.
Antibes. This old man represents so much in life.
The hike: Pic de L'oeurs
There was sun, there was fun, the sun never outlasted the fun, but sometimes the two found each other when they and we least expected it. Which is to say that it did rain a few times, but not on our spirits, those we kept hidden under the tall pines of john, or as pierre would say, jean les pines, the mountains rose from the coast as quickly as one jumps upon learning that they are burning their skin. Which is to say quickly, but the spectacular parts of the difference in sea and mountain were that we enjoyed it all. Friends-family/Family-friends, two becoming one and ones becoming too familiar, or maybe just as familiar as it should be. There will always be Nice, funny hotel rooms, and the smell of the same food, repeatedly filling my nostrils and my stomach....the food could always be the same....but the friends, family and fun will always be there under the sun.
Hiking pic de l'ours
