Be warned – there is a lot of orange and yellow coming up, so perhaps put on a pair of sunglasses… Menton’s celebrated Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) is in full swing at the moment, which means the town is heaving and it’s impossible to find anywhere to park – but of course it’s all great fun. Each year there is a different theme and this year it’s ‘Broadway!’    Preparations for the floats and static ‘motifs’ began months ago: a metal frame is constructed for each exhibit or float which is then covered in wire netting and each lemon or ..
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  (En français à la fin de la page …) Dear Friends, The tragedy of recent earthquakes in Italy got me thinking about one of my favourite villages in Liguria.   Bussana Vecchia is a 9th century Ligurian hill village, not far from San Remo.  it’s always on the list of places to visit when friends come to stay. Many people have never heard of it,  for one simple reason.  Indeed it wasn’t even shown on a map until relatively recently, because the village was destroyed in the massive earthquake of February 23rd, 1887.    2000 people were killed in the region ..
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(En français à la fin de la page) Hello dear friends, This is fun! Taking photos not through glass but through plastic.   Years ago, I photographed a table of diners in a Menton restaurant through the plastic protection of a restaurant terrace and was surprised (pleasantly surprised) at the distortion this gives to the image.  Often, the eye doesn’t see it at the time of taking the photo but once home, and on the computer, it can have the feel of  an impressionist painting.  And it is just one click.  It’s important though to focus ‘through’ the plastic and onto ..
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When I was young, really young, New Year’s Eve was a big deal. Major dressing up to impress the boyfriend of the day and then, at midnight, would he kiss me first? How important it was that I got the first kiss of the year and if I didn’t – well it seemed the end of the world had arrived. Since living in France, sometimes I celebrate with a few friends or stay at home with my dogs – which suits me fine. That way at least, I know I’ll get my midnight kiss, so long as I stay awake, ..
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It’s been 26 years since I moved from Australia, where I lived for 6 years, to the south of France.  First a year in the Pyrenées Orientales, which is in the south-west of France, and then 7 years in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, near to Monaco.  Eventually,  19 years ago I was lucky enough to find a house in Gorbio.  Gorbio is a medieval hill village above Menton.   I live just below the village – not far, as the crow flies but two and half kilometres by car as it’s a long and winding road but it’s only a 10 minute walk up ..
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