This time we arrived a lot earlier, parked up at 0930 hours, we still had the traffic congestion coming in but there were many more parking spaces available. We had less confusion as we came in without the satnav, all worked well. Also parked nearby us today worth mentioning was a maserati, and another Ferrari lost count of the porches, they seem to be more of a poor mans car here? As we left the carpark and made for the Port Hercule, where it all happens there were a few vessels anchored off shore for whatever reason? Along the front of the Port is the start and finishing line of the coming Grand Prix.

There seemed to be much work going on the barges were laying down anchor buoys, probably for the over spill when the marina fill up? Would not like to have to pay for one of those for the night?

It is easy to see the amount of work going on in preparation for the race, sections not only fitted with barriers, but also "wired" I guess to stop the nutty public climbing over? The race cars are obviously given priority, the pedestrians have to work around them!

Once into the Port it is easy to see why they are laying additional mooring buoys outside, the marina looks full already, very impressive thought?

It's past time for Ann's latte, so we pick the nearest cafe (The Societe Nautique) and settle in, we are only allowed about 45 minutes as the tables are fully booked and it is too cold to sit outside in our opinion. The shelves were fill with the clubs trophies and photographs of the winning teams, the coffees and service was good. The price shocked us too, less than €5 for the two, we were expecting much more, the same in a regular cafe in Liechtenstein would have cost around €10!

There was a dinghy race on today, pleased to see the inclusion of the British team too!

We had a wander around the yachts in the marina, all extremely well maintained and equipped. We saw luscious sunbathing areas and a hot tub on the foredeck of one of the power boats? The first thing we recognised was that none were as good as Sailaway, those poor wealthy people!

Above the town, Albert II, Prince of Monaco keeps his eye on us all in his palace!

The start and finish line for the Grand Prix was almost complete, our claim to fame was that we had a coffe in a cafe that sits on the line, behind an armoured barrier of coarse, It was strange to look down from above and see "the public" crossing the line!

Even the outdoor poor above the road is being shadowed by the extending seating areas?

We make our way up Avenue de Monte Carlo looking for the famous casino, featured in many movies anf tv programs.

The casino building is as palatial as we exspected, takes us back to one of the old "Only fools and horses" series? The door way is conguested by the public haveing their photographs take on the steps and along side the super cars. We had been asked if we would like to park our Class MK IV Golf there, but we said no, too many people too close to the cars, you never know, jealousy is a strange thing?

Down the side ramp are all the top desiner stores, idealy positioned to allow you to very conviently spend you winnings?

We had parked the Classic in the "Grimaldi Forum" carpark, the Grimaldi Forum being a Congress/Commercial Centre, the most direct route was through the Japenese Garden Park. Well worth a look through, well maintained as every thing is here.

As we stroll to the carpark entrance, look at the car dealers opersite, you would exspect nothing less? I was a little suprised not to see the VW represented?

We had a wander around the city garden dedicated to Princess Grace in the Fontvieile sector, interesting.

This city is perfect in many ways, no litter, graffiti etc, the people extremely helpful and friendly. The parking situation had put us to the west of the main port, Port Hercule, still we decide to see what's here?

We walk the sea wall of Porte de Fontvieile, the "Musee Oceanographique and Aquarium" holds a magnificent position on the cliff top.

From the helicopter port they leave and arrive more often than buses?

We continue west from the Port de Fontvieile, past Port de Cap D'all.

We find a pathway along the water front "not to be used in high sea's". The water is flat so no problem we utilise it.

We follow the pathway around a couple of coves, in theory we are now lost, but not an issue. Having no idea where exactly we are we call into a beach site bar for refreshments. English is well spoken, we spend a hour or so chatting with the staff as they collect cushions, chairs etc as the wind was getting up very strong and quickly, we are told the same happened yesterday afternoon?

Knowing where we were we took the shortest route to the car, taxi's were not available, the staff tried really hard for us. As we got back to the carpark, the area was covered with TV vans and crew, something going not - we know it's not for us no one knows we are here? We return to the car and head back to Le Moulin.

We fore sure found Cannes a much better town than Saint Tropez, we parked down town and came out of the carpark onto the main waterside promenade.

Once off the motorway the roads are small and so congested, it takes us about 1.5 hours to cover about 10 miles, I suppose the wealthy just fly in? We get some what lost and end up on a small beach area to the east of the city, time for Ann's coffee?

We tuck into a small but busy beach side cafe/taverna and spend an hour or so there.

We leave the cafe and an hour or so later we find ourselves parked up on the waterfront of Saint Tropez, the parking area is enormous, I only hope we can find the car again?

We wander down the waterfront towards the town centre, the constant stream of helicopters, must be the wealthy popping in/out?

We continue along the promenade, taking in the views, we do not recognise any one famous?

As we reach the more central area, could be described as the old town, the boats became larger and more expensive.

We come across the "Capitainerie's" building from here the captain of the marina controls all that goes on, boats coming and going etc. Viewing the clock on the tower I was not surprised to find it was a "Rolex Clock!" of coarse what else?

It was strange but it was not as I imagined, a complete mix of rich and normal, more to the normal? If that makes sense that, without the normal's cash this place would not survive?

Art is clearly a big thing here, plenty for sale on the quayside, anyway?

The town was ok, a little over priced but that's the way it is? I must confess I am not sure what I expected to see here but not it's not too impressive in our minds?

The very old section of the harbour was indeed, still traditional, which was surprising?

We are fascinated by the beautiful mountains around us, the great temperatures help also! We pack up a picnic and head up into the hills. We pass along many deserted lanes and quiet villages, until we reach L'Escarene where we really struggle to get through the narrow streets because of parked cars - what is going on here? We quickly realise that there is a rally being staged here, must park up and see what it is all about? We search and search for a space, cars are parked everywhere imaginable. I drive through a lane to find two guys waving me back, it was not possible to turn back so I continued onwards to find a space to turn around. There was then deafening engine noise, within a few moments I found my self between two brightly coloured rally cars, revving their engines hard. We were in quite an interesting position, a sign ahead of us said "race cars only" I think? Ann calls out "we are in the bloody race now!" The two guys and the drivers found it really funny, probably thought "English!" They helped us turn and get out of the congestion as more rally cars arrived, we eventually find a space and park up.

Now on foot getting around is much easier, the small town square has an ongoing market, of coarse!

Climbing up the hill in the village we find the main activity of the day. I admit I do not know the sport but the numbering sequence of the different section of cars seems to indicate different car classes, some cars quite an age some very new models. We ask around, it is due to start at 1200, an hour to go.

We continue up the hill to find a cafe, we find a good view point over the cars, every where is very busy with drivers, team members and their friends. Ann is gone for some time then appears with a tray, "got a job?" I asked her?

We return down below for the official start of the rally, the Major did his bit and the noise then started as the cars started their engines, moved forward and began the section in time.

The various legs were sign posted, a popular mountain event!

We had woken periodically during the night and ensured that the full weight of the snow had not built up over our heads. We popped our heads outside around 0700 to a wonderful site, well, some may not think that? We had a good 4" of snow around us, a great picture we though, we had never camped in the snow as yet? Until last night we had been the only tent, last night company arrived, there tent almost collapsed with the weight of the snow? The only option to us now was to leave, but first we checked the weather for our next destination, Lauterbrunnen, just south of Bern, the capital. There we planned to take the underground trains up to visit Jungfrau, one of the highest peaks, the amazing valley claimed to host 72 magnificent waterfalls too! The forecast gave snow/rain and more of a problem, heavy cloud cover for the next ten days, no point in visiting there then we would see nothing! We quickly rethought our plans, enough of the cold we would head due south, for the French Riviera and Monaco, heat, glorious heat!

The drive was interesting enough, the conditions of the roads a little concerning at times, but we were not alone. I had decided if we found ourselves alone or needing snow chains then we would think of a "plan B". Ann continued creaming out her words of "guidance" as we continued?

After several hours, once we began descending down the Alps, the snow began to thin and then eventually cleared completely by late afternoon.

We were now making towards Monaco, we were now heading for Le Moulin, on the French side of the board only 6 miles from Monaco city.

It took no time at all to get our selves settled and the tent up and dried, what a beautiful setting, hard to believe we had 4" of snow this morning and now here we were in shorts and 25C!