8th August 2016 Nice, 43 41.4N:07 17.3E
Today we sailed into Nice, as you round the breakwater into the marina you can see the World War 1 Memorial which is carved into the rock. The temperature was 33 degrees and we were melting so decided we would go for a stroll this evening when things were cooling down.
Mike wanted to get on with rewiring the fridge as when we are on anchor it runs but doesn’t cool, he believes it’s because of the voltage drop and hopes a direct feed will resolve this problem. Not a straight forward job due to the need to unscrew the floorboards etc. By 18:30 he was feeling past it so decided to leave it with just a minor bit of work to do tomorrow.
That evening we went for a stroll, the city is spread across a huge area and with so many places we wanted to see we will struggle. A food parcel van was parked up with lots of homeless people eating or waiting to be served. We wandered into the old town, lots of intertwining streets all with tables spilling into the streets and multiple aromas of differing cuisines.
Based on the distance we walked this evening we decided to limit our sightseeing to the old town tomorrow.
9th August 2016 Nice,
Rather than walk around the marina Mike had spotted a little water taxi which ran free of charge and would save us a bit of walking. Our first stop was to climb up to Castle Hill, no not our local hospital but a viewpoint over the bay of Nice. We had read on Trip Advisor that there was a lift to the top which cheered Mike up but for some reason we missed it and ended up climbing all the steps much to his displeasure. At the top is a manmade waterfall cascading down and giving you a refreshing wetting you as you skirt around it.
We then headed back into the old town, and were surprised to see armed military walking around, obviously by way of providing a public reassurance after the atrocities. As we walked through the parks, more armed officers watching everybody and everything. This presence did not spoil the fun people were having, especially the children running through the water fountains. Oh how I wish we were 5 and could strip off and do the same, it is so hot.
10th August 2016 Beaulieu Sur Mer,
The weather forecast had changed this morning and rather than go on anchor we either had to stay in Nice or move on, with a strong breeze warning there was no way we were going stick with our plan. The marina up the coast is reputed to be quite reasonable so Mike said he would ring them later.
I got up at about 06:00 to go for my morning jog, even at that time the heat can become quite unbearable so I like to jog along the front in the hope of catching a sea breeze to cool me. I started my jog around the marina and up past the War Memorial to lead me onto the sea front, as I made my way I caught sight of the gardens we had visited yesterday and decided I would cross and jog through them to start making my way back to the boat. I crossed over and as I did saw a bandstand in a small garden, covered in flowers, flags, candles, photos etc. To the side was a banner saying something about the atrocity on Nice 16th July 2016. The area had been turned into a memorial for the people who were killed on that night. The lorry had halted just by the bandstand. Life goes on in Nice and had you not witnessed the news you would be none the wiser to the devastation that occurred here. We should be reminded in a more permanent way of the loss not only to Nice but too many countries. Innocent people, some local, some on holiday, all celebrating a national event, this should be our reminder of how precious every day of our life is.
Back to the boat and Mike has managed to secure us a berth at Beaulieu Sur Mer for €33 a night. A nice little marina, protected by a huge rock. That afternoon we went down to the beach, not the best beach in the world but it was entertaining just watching Mike try to inflate the “FatBoy”, no not a reference to Mike but an air bed (search U Tube to see what I’m on about). At least we got a cooling dip before the wind blew everybody off the beach and heading home.
One interesting story about this place is the American, the owner of The New York Herald, Gordon Bennett spent much of his life here. He abhorred playing cards and when the crew arrived on his boat he would have their bags searched and if any playing cards were found then the 4 aces would be removed and the cards placed back in their luggage. In Monte Carlo he is said to have arrived at his favourite restaurant, a modest establishment, to find it full, whereupon he bought it and when he had finished his meal, gave the restaurant to the head waiter as a gift. This is how the expression for anything outrageous came about. Gordon Bennett died in Beaulieu in 1918.
11th August 2016
A visit to the summer residence of Beatrice Rothschild which was very grand and had many artefacts that belonged to Marie Antoinette. The house although beautiful was nothing compared to the gardens and the water features which performed to Mozart. The main garden was the French Garden with Spanish, Florentine, Stone, Japanese, Provencal, Exotic and Rose gardens.