Corsica

A trip to Corsica or Corse as they say in France was made on May 19th.  We went by Corsica Ferries from Nice to Bastia which is the north east portion of Corsica.  It was an uneventful journey over however when we arrived we were in the middle of a severe storm with fork lightening and heavy rain and wind.  Who would have guessed?  We had rented a two bedroom apartment for our stay and Beryl, the owner, picked us up at the port.  The apartment was amazing.  Great view and lots of room.

Breakfast on the terrace

 The Old Port in Bastia










Rented a car the next day and started touring.  The roads are very narrow and wind up the mountain and then down into the valleys.  Along the coast you are barely hanging on to the edge but the views are worth it.  Gorgeous colors in the water ranging from dark blue to turquoise.

We drove up the Cap by Bastia the first day and then west to Calvi the following day.

 Saw some lovely villages having lunch at the one on the left

 Had a quick drink....










And then finished our trip with a lovely dinner out on our last night in Bastia....back to Nice and then "home" to Vence.

Bev's here...off to Ventimiglia

Bev arrived on Tuesday and after she quickly recovered from jet lag we were off exploring.  We've toured the Old Town in Vence and Friday we hopped the train for Ventimiglia, Italy for the Friday market.

So many vendors....we both bought a lovely leather purse.  I managed to get the same purse that I had stolen a couple of years ago.  I was so pleased.  We went for lunch and had Paella.

Amazing how dogs can be allowed in some restaurants.  Here is a lady enjoying her lunch while feeding her dog who sits beside her!

A storm was moving in and we high tailed it for the train to go back to Vence.









Shortly after boarding the train the weather started to clear so we got off at Villefranche for an ice cream and some beach time.  Beautiful!

Lunch with friends

I was invited to lunch at Chris and Elisabeth's.  Lunch in Vence is a leisurely affair - wonderful food and wine, terrific company, six hours later it was time to leave!

Chris, Elisabeth, Michael, Ute and Ferriel

Slipped up in Monte Carlo!

Well now I have been forced to slow down....while touring Monte Carlo with Marlene I slipped and fell...ouch!  Twisted and landed on my foot.  Couldn't continue on so hobbled home.  Elisabeth came to our rescue with a ride from the bus depot back to the villa....Thank you Elisabeth!  Marlene went back the following day to see the Palace in Monte Carlo and Eze Village as it was her last day before leaving for Switzerland.  I am resting at home trying to get the swelling to go down!  It's starting to turn some lovely shades!

And then our last dinner together at Le Pigeonnier in Vence and Marlene is off to Switzerland!  Bon Voyage!

Off to Cinque Terre!

We decided to tour a little of Nice and Ventimiglia on our way to Cinque Terre.  Only took our back packs so we wouldn't be lugging around a suitcase so we just have the bare essentials.  Did a little shopping in Nice and then headed to Old Town via the light transit train.

 
Had lunch in the Old Town and then caught the train to Ventimiglia where we shopped their famous Friday market.  There is everything there!  It is huge.  Lots of knock offs which I was warned about.  The police actually fine people in possession of goods that are knock offs.  I did find the purse I wanted.  Nice soft leather so my old purse is history.  Bought some lovely tomatoes, strawberries, bread, meat and cheese to take with us.

Then off to Manarola, Cinque Terre.  Made our dinner on the train followed by a little nap ZZZZZ!

Our apartment was perfect...great location!

View from apartment









And then we took a boat up the coast to Porto Venere...toured around three islands and then we were able to hop on, hop off to all of the five villages that make up Cinque Terre.  Beautiful day!

Porto Venere

Vernazza

Cornaglia

Monterosso

Shopping in Cornaglia

Manarola

Mandelieu-La Napoule, Cannes and Antibes

Who would have guessed that we could visit 3 places in one day but we did it!  On May 2nd the buses were up and running so Marlene and I took the bus from Vence to Cagnes sur Mer, hopped the train and got off at Mandelieu-La Napoule.  I had been here before but didn't have a chance to explore the Chateau de la Napoule where the eccentric American sculptor Henry Clews and his architect wife lived.  They renovated the villa and filled it with their art.

Henry Clews had a fixation on Don Quixote and dedicated his house to him.
During the second World War Henry's wife insisted on staying at the Chateau and managed to hide the art work.  As Henry had passed away I had to admire this woman's determination and strength to preserve what they had spent years developing.











Then it was lunch time so we had a lovely lunch and of course a beer before heading off on the train for Cannes.

The film festival in Cannes is taking place May 15 to 26th.  Very busy place so we didn't stay long.

Finished the day with a quick stop at Antibes.

Beautiful habor.

Walked the old town.

Marlene has arrived!

I picked Marlene up at the Nice Airport on April 29th.  So much to do, so little time!  On April 30th we went to St. Paul de Vence for the day

and then visited friends Marnie and Garry at their apartment in Vence.  What a great place they have!

On May 1st we were planning on going to Cannes and Antibes but were sidetracked when all bus service came to a halt....May 1st is a major holiday and all buses stop for the day.  Plan B was next and that was touring Old Town Vence and then we decided to walk to Tourette sur Loup.  It took us approximately 1 hrs. 15 min. and then we had a lovely lunch and toured the Old Town. 

Back to Vence just in time to see some of the bike race taking place on the way back to the villa.  Lovely day.....warm and sunny.