South of France

Saturday 20 September A 13:05 flight from Gatwick to Nice meant we had a nice leisurely start to the day. Coming into land we passed through some large white clouds and hit a bit of turbulence. A woman sat behind us started screaming and shouting, proclaiming "this isn't normal!"... I was just waiting for her to shout "We're all going to die!".

We picked up our hire car from Citer and it was refreshing to see there was no queue while there was a massive queue at the other desk. We were given a Ford Focus and I've driven a few 'foci' in the past (and I've quite liked them) but this had to be the worse car I'd ever driven. We made our way from Nice to our villa in Golfe Juan.

The villa

We were staying at Les Palmiers Villa (227 Avenue des Oliviers, Juan les Pins, 06160, Antibes) which was a nice villa with a big pool but with a dreadfully soft bed and ropey internet at best. We went to the supermarket to to stock up on supplies for the week.

The villa

A huge pool, although it was only about a foot deep at one end!

Golfe Juan

Sunday 21 Had a walk into Golfe Juan and then headed West along the coast towards Cannes.

Nike+

Monday 22 I put in a 10km morning run to the outskirts of Cannes.

St Tropez

We drove to St Tropez for lunch and a walk around town.

St Tropez

We drove back along the costal road via St Maxime.

Taking a dip

Tuesday 23 A morning swim. We put in a mammoth walk East to Juan les Pins and then on to Antibes. Had a walk around the old town which deserved a big ice cream in the main square. Walked back home along the coast via the supermarket for a few more supplies.

Cannes

Wednesday 24 Another morning swim and after breakfast drove into Cannes. We walked up the Le Suquet. Tammay left her phone in the car so went back for that and then a leisurely walk around the harbour staring at all the big "boats boats boats".

Cannes

Monaco: The Casino

Thursday 25 After a morning swim we made it onto the 11:54 train from Antibes to Monaco. Parking at Antibes Station proved a bit of a challenge but it worked out fine in the end!

Once in Monaco we walked around the F1 street circuit.

Monaco: Café de Paris

We had lunch at Café de Paris. Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised to pay £7 for a glass of Coke(?)

Monaco: The F1 track

The Fairmont Hotel hairpin bend, near the entrance to the tunnel.

Monaco: Juan Manuel Fangio

The monument to Juan Manuel Fangio on the Monaco circuit.

Monaco

A huge yacht show was being held in Monaco while we were there.

Monaco

Monaco Monte-Carlo station

Unfortunately the return journey on the train was really busy and I ended up standing half the way (so it's not just British trains!).

Monaco Monte-Carlo station

Nike+

Friday 26 Started out with a 10.5km run along the coast, into Antibes, back along the coast to Golfe Juan and half way to Cannes before returning home.

Golfe Juan

After an energetic start we had a relaxing day.

Golfe Juan

We walked into Golfe Juan and had lunch next to the Marina.

Golfe Juan

Our villa

Saturday 27 We checked out of out villa and drove to Grasse.

Our villa

The wedding of Ryan and Shanade

We were staying at the Best Western in Grasse. After checking in we had enough time for lunch and a short walk around Grasse.

The wedding of Ryan and Shanade

We had come to France for the wedding of Ryan and Shanade at Bastide St Mathieu.

The wedding of Ryan and Shanade

Sunday 28 Our last day. We returned to Bastide St Mathieu for a BBQ with the wedding party. We gave a couple of guys a lift back to Nice airport for the flight home.