Winter on the Cote d'Azur

I know some of my readers don't live in places quite as blessed by good weather as down here, so as I was walking round Nice today, I thought I might take some photos for you.

These photos start in Nice Port, then we go to Place Garibaldi, then along the new park that's been created to replace the hideous monstrosity that was the old bus station, along the beach and back to the port. The last couple are of Villefranche, where we stopped for a drink by the beach on the way home. Enjoy!

Note: If any of you are reading this on a mobile device, this is a very image heavy post - it might be better to wait until you get home!


Nice port:

Place Garibaldi:

Tram line:

Promenade du Paillon (a huge improvement on the old bus station!)

Promenade des Anglais and the beach in Nice:

Every time I see this little building, I think it should be refurbed and turned into a seafood restaurant:

On the way round the point towards the port:

War memorials:

Dog drinking from a water fountain. Took him a while to get the hang of it, but then he was set!

Nice Port:

This is the boat I want to try and buy when I win the lottery. I adore it!

Villefranche:

Read more...

Walking in a winter wonderland...

That song never said you'd be walking because there would be no trains. Misleading, I feel.

Train service of a kind finally restarted today, after yesterday's complete shutdown. It's not what you might call back to normal though - I've just spent an hour standing in the snow waiting first for a train that never came, then for a train that was heavily delayed, and packed solid. Even those men with big people-brooms on the Japanese metro couldn't have got us on. And finally, for a train that when it did come was delayed, but has seats.

I'd like to thank Southern for their clear communication during this difficult period, but since there was absolutely none, I find I can't. Bonus points go to the woman in the nice warm National Rail call centre who insisted that we must have had announcements - every 7 minutes - because that was what her list said was supposed to happen. Despite those of us actually, you know, living it telling her otherwise.

I would genuinely like to thank the lovely people in the cafe upstairs who made me the best bacon sandwich and coffee in the world. A small ray of sunshine in the day, but better than nothing!

Read more...

Snow!

Again! It's snowing so thick I can't see across the bay anymore. The mountain has disappeared in a cloud of white. Bleh. This had better clear up for the Flower Battle on Monday, I'm telling you!

In happier (?) news, I got my first "Bonsoir" without having to say it first last night - I'm recognised! It made me pleased, anyway...

ETA: Pictures!

Read more...