Went into the village on the back of Nick's motorbike to pick up the croissants for breakfast at their local Boulanger. How very French. Walked around the local market, bought some shorts & had crepes. Packed up the car & headed for the Côte d’Azur coastline, with its bluest of blue waters on one side & mountains of pink rock on the other. Jill & Nick knew of a cove away from the crowds where we could stop for a baguette & a swim. So hard to get into the water, as the 'beach area' is all rock - large ones to start but then getting smaller & harder to walk on! The sea here is turquoise blue, salty & warm! The tides take 80 years to rotate as it's more like a massive bay.
Continued along the coast and got out at Cannes for an icecream & to view this rich & famous playground. Gold Ferraris, million dollar yachts & the famous casino where the film awards are held. The beaches & streets are packed & to be honest, a place that's only worth a look & then move on.
Arrived at Jill & Nick's flat in Antibe with a view across the marina. W have our own bedroom upstairs with a little balcony that you step up onto. So sweet. Sorted out our train tickets to Cinque Terre & then went for a walk into town. What a contrast between modern money & old world charm. This was once a 13th century port with a walled city & the difference when you walk from the 'outside' through the arch into the medieval part of town is incredible. Outside is multi million dollar boats & all the trimmings of a rich seaside town, whereas inside has retained its charm of yesteryear with stone buildings, cobbled streets & the old chateau which is now the museum of Picasso. Stopped at several restaurants before choosing one for escargot, steak & creme brûlée. Introduced Jill & Nick to aperol spritz seeing as our next stop is Italy. A lovely evening sitting outside & people watching.
Walked along the old wall to the latest sculpture 'the Nomad' & to the super-yachts that were all moored one after the other. A beautiful introduction to Antibe.