Day 1359 (Friday) 26th February 2021

Last night’s fog had gone from our bay at 7 o’clock this morning but when Huw went up to the villa he could still see it beyond Saint Jean Cap Ferrat

Huw found these amazing photos in the Nice Matin and a very short explanation…

Many of you sent us photos of this curtain of sea haze which covered part of the city of Nice after dark.
 This type of sea mist, which is not dense enough to call it fog, forms "when a mass of warm air moves over a relatively cold surface," Météo France explained Thursday.

Throughout the day yesterday, it had covered part of the Riviera coast, especially on the side of Menton and Monaco.

This was taken at around 8pm last night and we couldn’t see the port

At least there’s no sign on the Sahara sand yet.

Last night at around 11pm I got a text from Eduard asking for a class today. I had moved Alicia forward because he had cancelled his class because he was in London so Alicia was due at 10am until 11.30 so I offered Eduard a class at midday but he couldn’t do that because he was getting his vaccine. So we settled on 1pm – 2pm – exactly the warmest part of the day to sunbathe!

Alicia had to bring her two kids to class because of the school holidays, they are 4 and 7 and pretty well behaved. They had brought toys and biscuits to occupy themselves and they were mostly good. Alicia chose to have the class on the balcony which I was more than happy to do. After about half an hour the kids decided they wanted to be on the balcony as well. You know how small our balcony is – the flat was completely empty and the four of us we squeezed into a tiny space. Badger had the right idea and hid under my pillow until they left.

While waiting for Eduard I completed all my pay claims and ate some brunch so my time wasn’t wasted but I was still rather bitter about missing out on my sunbathing. Eduard was very happy that he’s had the vaccine but Olga didn’t get hers because he is 60 and she’s 59. They have to go back to London in two weeks’ time for her to get hers. It’s a good job they have a private jet at their disposal.

I really enjoyed this short article about Nice

Curtains, Nudity and More 

Every day tourists gather in the expansive main square of Place Masséna, a beautiful spot right next to the historic old town in Nice. The impressive Fontaine du Soleil overlooks the square and is the perfect spot for a selfie. The square serves as a meeting point for tourists, walking tours and locals. No wonder it features in thousands of holiday snaps.  

The city’s Italian heritage shines through in the neoclassical buildings with vibrant ochre facades and pastel green window shutters. 

​Wouldn’t it be lovely to own a unit on this historic square? Maybe .. but owners are subject to the most fascinating set of regulations! This iconic area is one of the most visited and most photographed places in Nice, so the council have strict regulations to be followed by all building owners facing onto the square. 

Curtains can only be those approved by the council. No washing or other items can be hung outside the windows.  Don’t even think of repainting in your favourite shade. The distinctive colour palette must remain. And, if you’re assuming regulations only cover the building itself .. think again.  Nudity in front of the windows or doors is strictly forbidden. In fact, any risque behaviour visible from the square is not allowed.  Fines are in place to preserve the look and the dignity of this historic square. 

Deception, Art and Taxes 

As you stroll through the streets of Nice, it’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of the old buildings. But look a little closer and you may see you have been deceived.

Many windows, balconies, architectural features and even plants are actually painted on. Sometimes, just one window amongst “real” ones is fake. For one building in Place Garibaldi, the whole side is a trompe l’oeil – French for “deceive the eye”.

Why? During the revolution, there was a tax on every door and window. The residents of Nice (and many other French cities) would simply paint them on. The building looked stylish and they appeared to be wealthy, however the clever owners avoided paying extra tax to the government.

Pat came to visit because Huw is helping him with some computer work and when  they finished we went to Le Phare for a beer before the bloody weekend lockdown. Chadwick was there, Aussie John, Sean, Dee and Kevin and Angie. We had a few beers and laughs and felt quite deflated when we wished each other bon week-end on leaving when we knew we all had to stay home other than our one hour walk a day!

 

And here are the bad French jokes for today…

3. C’est l’histoire de deux pommes de terre.
Une d’elles se fait écraser et l’autre s’écrie :
Oh purée !

Here is the story of two potatoes.
One of them is ran over, and the other says:
Oh purée! [It’s a pun, meaning both “Oh my goodness!” and “Oh, mashed potatoes!”]

Note. Instead of potatoes, it’s tomatoes, and after it’s been ran over, the mum says “common Ketchup” – pun on “catch up”….

4. This is one of the most common Kindergarden jokes ever… I am positive ANY French kid has heard it… 

Qu’est-ce qui est. petit, rond, vert, et qui monte et qui descend ?
– Un petit pois dans un ascenseur.

What is small, round, green and goes up and down?
A small green-pea in an elevator.

5. À l’opéra.

Papa, pourquoi le monsieur fait peur à la dame avec son bâton ?
Il ne veut pas lui faire peur, c’est le chef d’orchestre.
Alors pourquoi la dame, elle crie?

Daddy, why is the guy scaring the lady by his stick?
He is not scaring her; he’s the (orchestra) conductor.
Then, why is the lady shouting?