Ben in Cannes
We left gorgeous Verona about 10am and headed for Cannes. The trip was only about 5 hours long although, it took us quite a bit longer. From Verona, we basically headed South until we hit Genoa then headed along the coast towards Cannes. This route to Cannes included driving along the famed Cote d'Azur, the playground of the worlds rich and famous. We drove in tandem with Dad and dropped him off on the way in Villefranche sur mer, a completely gorgeous little seaside town. It was sad to see Dad go as we had a wonderful last 10 days with him. What an amazing experience, being able to travel where we have with my father and the kids grandfather (or Gros vater as he is now called).
As it turned out, the one hours drive from Villefranche sur mer to Cannes was the most stressful of the trip. It involved a very near crash into the back of another car as I adjusted my course at the last minute, at high speed. It was one of those moments where everything went into slow motion and we waited for the crash to happen. Luckily I stopped about 5cm short. It also involved a very stressful drive into Monaco, followed by a U turn (because I was getting frustrated at waiting) just as a policeman came around the corner. I half completed the U turn which included jumping up and over the curb. Instant sphincter tightening as I waited for the blue flashing lights and siren but much to our surprise, the policeman smiled at us as he drove by! He was probably thinking "Bloody tourists (our tourist plates give it away), Ill cut them some slack". I also had to drive through Nice to get to Cannes at full rush hour. There were cars everywhere and Kathy, our GPS friend (we had ditched Jane due to losing confidence in her decision making plus Kathy's Irish accent was somewhat calming) told me to do things like "Vear right" which I did as I turned to the right on the far right of the road with 4 packed lanes of traffic beside me to my left all going 100 kmph then instantly after that "Get into left lane" which involved getting across said 4 packed lanes of traffic before I missed my turn to the left! Hard to explain, its a kind of a "you had to be there" kind of thing. Anyway, I'm not sure if Kathy and I are going to work out.
Somehow, we made it but there was more than a few very hairy moments.
We spent the evening with Krissy, Graham and their beautiful daughter Luana. Graham wasn't originally going to make it but ended up having to drive up from St Tropez so we ended up spending the night with him, which was awesome. When he arrived at about 7pm, I had to go with him on a mission to pick up a van from the port and bring it back home. So once again, I found myself in another bizarre place whereby this time I was driving someone else's car through Cannes, at night with a couple of glasses of wine under my belt. All went to plan though and we both got home safe and sound. I was terrified I was going to lose Graham (who I was following) as I would never had found my way back to their house. It was actually a lot of fun. After that, we all had a lovely dinner of bread, cheese, meats and wine and went off to bed nicely replete.
Me, Jamie and Luana
Monaco sign
The next day (today) we took a stroll around Cannes. The first thing we went to see was the daily market. As it turns out, it was the most impressive market that we have seen yet - and we have seen a few. Everything was incredible, all abundant and beautifully presented. There was this most amazing mushroom stand with piles of incredible mushrooms. It is mushroom season here at the moment so it is the perfect time to eat them. We left with a tonne of fruit as well as a kg of delicious fresh ceps which will be the hero of a mushroom risotto that we are planning to make later this evening - check out the pic. Those of you that know how big my hand is will appreciate the size of this shroom.
Cep - otherwise known as porcini
Amazing produce
Amazing tomatoes
The rest of the day, we wandered around Cannes, stopping for a coffee here, a baguette there and a beer here and there. Knackered, we have all arrived home whereby I have taken the opportunity to write this (with Ricard in hand) then will soon take the opportunity to go for a nap.
Only a week to go now before we head back home, via Rome. We are all really looking forward to that part of the journey. We are also all looking forward to heading home - well not the 'heading' bit, that bit will be horribly long and uncomfortable. More like looking forward to being home.
Europe is incredible, but there is nothing quite like home and your own bed.
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