MONDAY 31ST AUGUST - NICE

Today we went on a small group tour (6 people and guide) of the Grasse region near Nice. A big thanks to Chris Hammond who suggested the tour to us!

GRASSE

In the town of Grasse which is considered the world capital of perfume we visited the Fraganard Perfumery House (founded in 1926 ). Here their perfumes and other fragrant products like soap are made. We had the processes ( both old and new) explained to us and then of course the opportunity to buy. I was a lucky girl and now have my first ever French perfume to bring home. A short walk around the town gave us our first glimpse into and old French village, although Grasse itself is a large and busy centre compared to the other villages we visited today.

FILLING THE PERFUME BOTTLES THE OLD FASHIONED WAY

HELEN YOUR DAILY FOOD PHOTO...'PETITS CHOCOALATES FAITAISIE



I MENTIONED THERE ARE DOGS AND/OR HIER BUSINESS EVERYWHERE. CAN'T BELIEVE HENRY TOOK A PHOTO OF DOG POO TO SHOW THE BOYS!!

IN THIS PARK THERE ARE SEATS AND PERFUMED MIST (BARELY VISIBLE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER) IS SPRAYED INTO THE AIR........SMELLS DIVINE!

VALBONNE

Our guide (Oliver) suggested then that we go on to Valbonne, a much smaller and more interesting medieval village, and it was here we enjoyed a walk and a cup of coffee.

STOPPED HERE FOR A WITCHES BREW .... FIRST ONE FOR THE DAY .....AHHHHHH!



BOB THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE THIS

LOVE ALL THE BALCONIES AND ATTEMPTS TO ADD GREENARY.

LUCKILY CLOSED MONDAY OR I'D HAVE LOST HENRY FOR HOURS.

GOURDON
We then travelled high into the mountains to the “perched” village of Gourdon, a spectacular winding road, a cooler climate (probably by at least 4 or 5 degrees), and rightly known as “the most beautiful village in the area”. Here we had lunch and a good wander around the ancient streets.



BAGUETTES AND PATE OF COURSE FROM TOP OF THE WORLD (RESTAURANT THE BUILDING ON RIGHT IN PICTURE BELOW)



I KNOW WHO WILL LIKE THIS PHOTO! DOGS ARE EVERYWHERE INCLUDING SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS(EVEN SITTING IN CHAIRS THERE). THIS BOY WAS CLEANING UP UNDER THE RESTAURANT TABLES.



MIDDLE OF PHOTO ON HORIZON IS NICE AND THE MEDITERANEAN



WINERY

As if all this wasn’t enough scenery we returned to Chateau de Cremat, a castle built originally in the centre of a winery, which remains there today.



HENRY LOVED LISTENING TO THIS WOMAN SPEAKING ABOUT THE WINES IN FRENCH. NOW THAT HE  CAN SAY FROMAGE AND BAGUETTE HE UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING SHE SAID.......



COMIC RELIEF

As the day had been warm I decided to swim with Henry at the free rocky beach at the front of the Negresco. If you thought me falling in the plane was a picture to behold you should have seen me at the beach. Getting into the water was hard……rocks……but Henry helped me. In out of my depth as fast as possible I really enjoyed the water….BUT ….getting out was amusing (for everyone but me!)…….Lets just say rolling around on the rocky sea edge leaves lots of small stones in your swimmers!! RECKON IF I'D PUT THE SCENE ON  YOUTUBE I'D GET A MILLLION VIEWS!!!!!

I had to go back into the sea and wait for Henry to help me get out. Why people would pay $18 euros to go to a beach and walk on rocks has left me bewildered! The whole day was a wonderful experience (even me beaching myself on the rocks). I feel like we’ve seen so much already.