Cannes to Italy

Sunday 24th January, 1982                     fine and cold.

Camping in the Street in Cannes

A restless night, not the quietest of streets.  Rose about 8:30 a.m., and when John returned from his early morning walk with news of the town we decided to go to mass after breakfast.  Walked up the small narrow streets to the tune of the bells calling everyone to devotions.  Stopped at the market on the way to buy tomatoes, 1F.20 a kilo and wandered through rows and rows of spring flowers, then off up many steps to the church.  Nice church - lovely service - then out to find John and kids waiting, so off on our way to Grasse - the perfume centre - a good road took us up the mountains to "la Parfumerie Fragonard"  for a tour.

We learnt it takes 1 tonne of blossoms to make 1 kg of essence.  Sandra learnt that soap is made from Whales fat (never going to wash again) - was a quick tour, but interesting - bought five cakes of French soap for presents - we all smelled like spring when we came out.

Back into Cannes to the beach front for lunch, then around the beach drive to Cap-d’Antibes of Robbins fame.  And then to Antibes - these are holiday resorts similar to Church Point - lovely homes on the waterfront.  It is a beautifully sunny day - cool but pleasant.  The spring flowers are lining streets and gardens now.  From St Maxime onwards, we have noticed the pansies and flowers.  Eucalyptus trees again in evidence here.  At the market we saw Australian wattle for sale per bunch.? Would be pleased.

We are now at a Marina in Antibes to free Park for night about 11 p.m.

Monday 25th January, 1982                     fine and cool.

Free camping on the Antibes Marina.

I woke early ready to find hot showers open, oh boy, what a luxury.  Cost five francs but worth every minute.  John did some filming whilst Sandra drove.  The day before we saw a lady in a wheelchair, taking her dog for a walk, well San took John for a walk.  He filmed while Sandra drove. Off up the winding coast road on our way to Nice.  Through La Siesta, C‘Agnes du Mer and at Pont St Laurent we noticed gypsies in their luxurious caravans, Mercedes-Benz cars, fur coats etc on the side of the road.  Stopped at a super 3000 to fill our larder - a huge supermarket with Nouvelles Galleries and lots of specialty stores.

In to Nice along the promenade "Promenade Anglais's" till we found American Express - our usual luck too late - gone to lunch - so we set up our lunch, parked in the promenade - supplied the strollers with lunchtime entertainment.  An Australian/Frenchman stopped by the van - he was from Mount Isa and was on holidays visiting Nice, his birth town.  2 p.m. found us waiting for doors to be opened at American Express - good mail drop - 2 from Karen, one from Billy and one each from John Romeril and Beth Kennedy, with her marvellous news re Lucy Kate.

We stayed the night in Beaulieu sur Mer Marina. A good hot shower with needle like rose for 1 franc.  We had met 4 young Aussies in American express.  One young girl was from Mona Vale - the newsagent’s daughter.  They were all from Sydney.

Rae received two letters from Jenny, Sandra one from Jenny Watson, Jan and Marie and Marsdens.  All were pleased but Sean - but Marie explained how mixed up she was in geography.  A hot shower and into bed after writing a few last French letters.

Tuesday 26th January, 1982                     fine and mild.

Up about 8 a.m. after a good sleep - had another needle sharp shower - beautiful!  On then to Monaco.  On the way here we noticed houses way up on the hill with the only access a monorail straight up.  Coastline is very winding - the Med - very blue and quiet.  On through Cap d'Ail to Monaco.  

Monaco

We found a Park in the Marina with Prince Rainier's yacht nearby, and explored the 180 ha - it is very hilly - three towns built on different levels.  

Monte Carlo up many stairs on the left.  La Condamine  the port area and Monaco the Palace - an impressive pink plain stone building on right head land. 

We sent our mail so all would have a Monte Carlo stamp - then sat outside a cafe, and had our morning cafe au lait.  Then back to van for lunch, and to rinse some undies.  We haven't any clean, not having had a camp since Mus.  Was hanging undies on a little mini line when the police doing their lap of the Marina stopped and said we could lunch but couldn't stay after 7 p.m.  Well, we knew that but we had met people who had stayed, but mostly in unobtrusive Volkswagens.  Our Advanturar is far too big.  John brought Sean back a letter from Brett.  So he was happy, said I had some but they wouldn't give it to him. So up Sandra, Rae and I marched at 2 p.m.  Up stairs and hills - to receive a newsy letter from Eileen.

Did a little shopping.  Then off to Mentone where we are now to stay the night - then tomorrow into Italy.  Buongiorno Italia - au revoir Francais.  Rachelle is a lady today.

Cannes to Menton, France