Dear Friends,
Welcome my new blog. I’ve prepared an imaginary red carpet for your arrival!
So – a quick explanation of ‘why a new blog?’ I started blogging over ten years ago. The first was a blog about dogs who spent their holidays in my house in the south of France whilst their owners went away. Not a boarding kennels, but a ‘pension familiale’ – a home-from-home for dogs. They lived in my house, slept where they wanted, on the sofa, in my armchair and often my bed!
Then, a year later I started Menton Daily Photo and Monte Carlo Daily Photo and also Riviera Dogs – posting each day. I wanted to share my love of the French Riviera, the beauty, the traditions, the food and of course the people and the dogs.
At the beginning I hadn’t a clue about photography – the horizons weren’t straight, buildings sloped, the exposure was woeful – don’t ask! But slowly I came to love photography and then I fell madly in love with it – I was hooked. Then came years of reading about it, learning from photographer friends, watching YouTube videos, teaching myself to be a better photographer. And of course buying new and better (and more expensive!) cameras. And eventually I was ready to attend some truly great photography workshops where I learned even more. I’ll be writing about those another time. In the last year or so, I’ve come to realise that the photography I most love to shoot the is life, people, street photography and dogs (and often a combination of all of those).
So, the reason for this blog? – well, lately I’ve been posting images of Naples and Nice and Aix-en-Provence on my Menton blog. That’s not good blogging when the blog has the word ‘Menton’ in the title. And so it’s time to move on, to post what I really want to post and not be restricted to a specific area. But for those of you who follow the Menton blog, don’t worry, Menton, the surrounding medieval hill villages (including my village, Gorbio) and Monte Carlo won’t be forgotten. I live here after all. And if you want to look back at postings on any of those three blogs, well, they aren’t going anywhere. You’ll be able to find all the posts and photographs from the last ten years at any time – I just won’t be posting on them anymore.
So onwards…. if you are interested in life as it’s really lived in the south of France and Italy, dogs (of course!) and my journey in photography, come with me … and do subscribe for updates (see the link below).
See you soon – love Jilly x
38 Comments
Have enjoyed all photos and petites histoires. I am learning french and. You have contributed to my vocab in an easy to remember way. Merci mille food. Tricia
Tricia, thanks so much for subscribing to the new blog. I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed past photos and stories. And it helped your French. For the moment, I’m writing this blog in English but I’m looking into installing a translation app. x
Cannot wait for a daily read and pics again!!!xoxo
Thanks Allene – it won’t be daily, it’ll be about twice a week. But I post on Facebook and on Instagram daily! Looking forward to sharing it all with you. x
Looking forward to read your blog, love as always the story’s and pics, can’t wait to see you again in spring xxx
Thanks Nelleke. This is to consolidate, as you see, and to be freer to write what I want and to show a few more photos. I can’t wait to see you in the spring either. I’ll be there with bells on! Love to you both xxx
This is a very good move dear Jilly and you’re right to concentrate on one single blog about life and beauty in the South, we’ll celebrate that once we’re back with a yummy lunch on our terrace!! It is a big honour to me to have accompanied with our friendship your huge progress in photographing pictures that tell a story about life, keep up your great work! Looking forward seeing young, meanwhile getting glimpses of life in my second
Dearest Sigi, You are the most incredible person – so encouraging, so kind and always forward thinking. – I treasure our friendhsip and so happy you like the idea of this new blog. Can’t wait for one of your yummy lunches on your magic terrace in Italy. xxx
Look forward to your new blog. Loved the Menton Daily but I understand the need for a new one. I love photography, maybe should go to the next step.
Thanks so much Anne. So appreciate your following me all this time and hoping you enjoy the new one. And yes, do it! x
Longue vie à ce nouveau Blog Jilly.
Love my friend xxx
Merci beaucoup, chere Sylvie xxx Bisous xxx
Looking forward to your new content. I spend a few months a year next door in Cap d’Ail so it is nice to stay in touch when I am not there and get tips on things to see when I am. I really enjoy your photography as well. Good luck with this blog.
Doug, thank you so much. So glad you’ve enjoyed what I do in the past and so happy you are coming along for the ride, with the new one. Thankyou!
I’m excited for what’s to come with your new blog! I know it will be engaging and as beautiful as your previous work.
Joy, Thank you so much for your comment and your lovely words.
Another evolution for Jilly Bennett. Man am I excited!! Good luck with this new phase Jilly and look forward as always to your wonderful photos! Bisous
Michael, many thanks. Yes a new phase indeed. So appreciate your support all this time. Bisous a toi x
Jilly
thank you for your lovely photos of the south of france and italy and surrounding areas your photos bring much warmth to this part of the world in winter time here in Ireland. i vist that part of the world very year and cannot wait every to get back to peace and quiet of the small villages there so the best of luck on your new blog as i
have being following face book page these past few years
So great to read your lovely words, Peter. Thanks so much for writing this comment.
Having loved all your previous postings, I can’t wait for what’s to come!
Oh bless you Joy. So pleased to hear from you. Thankyou!
Jilly, I’m so happy to read about your ever expanding hobby job! Your Menton Daily Photo took me to your little corner of the world twice, and I know there will be many more visits as well. Love your work, and cheer for you when it’s recognized and awarded.
I WILL be staying tuned to your dial, for more than my daily smile. Your photos let me feel like I am there, and for that I am ever grateful.
Joanne, this is the loveliest message. Means so much to me. Thank you indeed. I’m going to be doing my best to give you your daily smile! Nothing I’d like more. x
I love your dog’s pics my friend!!
Thank you dear old friend Carmen. I miss you xxx
What a GREAT idea Jilly! I will enjoy it so much!
Thanks so much, giusi x
Jilly. I have been checking in on your Menton Daily Photo for the last couple of years now. Fabulous pictures of your travels in the south of France and Italy! I look forward to more of your work, makes me feel that I’m back in that beautiful part of the world!
Doug, thank you so much. So happy you like the photos and it brings you back here. Appreciate your comments very much.
Following you on FB and reading your blogs for about nine years now. I always enjoyed all of them. Looking forward to “join” you on this next step. Thank you, Jilly, for the beautiful photographs and little insights of live on the Côte d’Azur and its surrounding areas.. An animal lover myself… needless to say, the photos of the Riviera dogs did put a smile on my face each time.
Kat, Wow you are indeed a longtime reader of my blogs. So happy to know that and so pleased you are coming along for this next part of the journey. Dogs of course! Thank you Kat x
Hi Jilly, loving your blog and wish I’d met you early and found your other blogs – I have a bit of catching up to do. Can’t wait for new updates and congrats on this new and fabulous blogs – and love your photos! xxx
Kris, thanks so much. I love your photos too and your beautiful new website. xxx
Jilly – CONGRATULATIONS on another step forward in your journey. Will be checking in on a very regular basis … I’ve even cleaned my imaginary high heels and they worked a treat on your red carpet welcome!
huge hugs
Steph
Ha! You are a hoot, Steph. So glad you’ve signed up and will share my journey with me. love to you xxx
So this is what you have been busy doing since you returned from Naples! 🙂 Well, it was well worth it. Félicitations, Jilly. Super blog, and it will be the perfect showcase for your talents as a street photographer! Bonne chance mon amie. — Véronique
Thanks so much dear Veronique. That’s so generous of you. It’s going to be much easier to have one blog only. Plus Facebook and Instagram. Hope to see you soon! love Jilly xxx