Leaving the Luberon valley and rhe Rhone river from Avignon and now on the TGV to Nice. It gives you a feeling of sweet sorrow as another leaf of our adventure has ended and a new one beginning. We were hoping to catch the TGV early this morning but alas no seats left. Plan B now. We are doing Nice tonight, Grasse tomorrow morning and Monaco mid afternoon. We have sussed out the buses and the late train leaving Monaco tomorrow night.
Said our goodbyes yesterday lunch time to Ian and Andrea from Melbourne and shortly after to Greg from Sydney and finally Anne-Charlotte from Provence our wonderful and enthusiastic guide who is keen to visit our country now.
TRAINS IN FRANCE hmmmm if they are not on strike they simply stop - this time a lack of power. Phew fortunately it wasn't for too long; but all the same a very slow trip for TGV. Fortunately the planes fly still and on time. Lol
We are now in Nice and have our accommodation sorted annnnnd our first cup of tea in our room we couldn't believe our eyes and a charming hostess. Took photos on google maps and headed for the sea and equipped with Steve's hiking-stick (some questionable looking locals) We set off looking for the mediterranean, and wow oh wow there it was twenty minutes later as we entered onto and strolled along Du Promenade des Anglais, taking in the amazing buildings, lights, restaurants/cafes, people, flash hotels & flash cars.
What a surprise to find that the beach has no sand, only stones. We overheard more than one disappointed voice lamenting the lack of sand. There a large number of fishermen surf casting off the beach as the water deepens very quickly from waters edge. One fisherman suggested i was a mermaid of the sea who Steve had managed to lure onto land (stop laughing u lot), from what Steve could make out from the conversation his assumption was based upon the fact I was so beautiful (I thought him very perceptive) I am also relieved that it wasn't because he thought I looked like a fish.
We strolled some more and happened on a delightful restaurant complete with soccer televised and ordered pasta ummm pasta was what the menu said. We were told we could substitute chicken (we thought for the beef).
It appears we substituted everything that even remotely resembled pasta as we were each delivered; half a chicken (i kid you not) a ration of salad (portion is too generous) and chips.
Our weary walk back to our lodgings was hastened along as we noted the prevalence of numerous scantily clad 'ladys-of-the-night' and some other shady characters, along the lower reaches of the road we had to negotiate. Amazing what comes out of the woodwork when the sun goes down.