Shocked when we woke up this morning and it was nearly 8AM
Decided it is time to get out of the city and do a little exploring and some walks along the coast. We think Andre has figured out the tram and bus route using the phone app to pay, so we are off. Turns out he is right, all is good, you just need to validate every time you get on a new mode of transportation, you have 2.5 hours to finish your trip before you have to pay again. So for 1.70 Euro each way we did a 3 stop tram ride, then a 30 minute bus ride to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. A beautiful, though twisty bus ride, especially when the only seat is facing backwards! But I survived, better that I heard one of our other friends did today on their tour.
Off the bus and happen across tourist information, for Andre this means a chance to pick up more brochures. But this was a great stop, a very helpful lady who pointed out good walks for us, as well as told us about a carnival coming up in VilleFrance-Sur-Mer later this week where boats are decorated and fighting with flowers, this has been going on since 1902. Now we just have to remember to go and also deal with the crowds.
Off we go on our first walk which was around the peninsula. Lots of very pretty views. Of course we did the additional up hill to see a chapel and cemetery, lots of construction things happening in the cemetery, and the war cemetery was locked so we weren't able to see more of that.
Back to the peninsula and finished the circular route, a break overlooking a beach with oranges and chocolate, thanks Jill, still have 4 left for later!
Decision now to continue on to another walk, decide to walk to the next beach and decide from there. Shock at the next beach where 3 people were swimming. I have been taking my jacket on and off all day, I can't imagine going in swimming. Andre was pleased to see French sunbathing was in play.
Next plan was to go as far as the lighthouse and decide from there where to go. A beautiful walk along the shoreline, we both liked it even better than the peninsula walk, though both were good. At the lighthouse the trail is closed, so you either return via the same shoreline walk, or head onto the streets. We decided to do the streets hoping to see some of the amazing mansions that we could see bits of from the shoreline. Probably the most amazing was the mansion that had a funicular up from the beach, who has a private funicular? Well our walk through the streets gave us great views of huge gates, and lots of tall hedges, we basically saw nothing.
Back to town, find a little bakery and grab a couple of pastries to snack on while on a park bench. Andre now wants to go visit the lighthouse at the marina, so we are off for one last walk. It is so quiet right now, very few parking spaces used of the literally 100 or so that are available. I can't imagine what it is like here in the summer. Lots and lots of beautiful expensive yachts, a lot of money just sitting there.
Time to head back home to our apartment in Nice. Easy transfer again and made record time. Off to the little grocery store around the corner from us. We are both tired and decide to stay in tonight, splurged on a 8.00Euro bottle of wine, there are many available for 1/2 that price. Andre is tasked with finding markets to visit tomorrow, we will also go buy our train ticket to Avignon, and I'm sure a couple more things will come up. 23,000 steps done today, 14.75 miles.
The walks we did today:
Where the first hike loop was
Wine at home with supper tonight, a very nice Beaujolais to go with pasta we cooked.
We are walking around the same number of steps and km but you have a lot more up and down steps. here everything is level. Rollande
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