Monday, June 26, 2017
Wow. I really slept like a baby last night. When I woke up this morning, I noticed that the doors leading to the terrace were closed. Bonaparte informed me that there was a huge storm last night. Thunder. Lightning.
I heard nothing. The deep nights of sleep that I’m having here are the best in a long time. I do believe it is a winning combination of clean, healthy, non-polluted air and no stress!
Today also ended up being a “turn down” day. Just one of those days where you’re not doing much of anything.
Bonaparte likes those turn down days–he gets to spot the big cruise ships with his binoculars and complain about them–that’s very French you know!
We went to the pool in the morning and clouds rolled in. We planned on taking a drive to Cabris, but with the clouds, we figured it wasn’t worth it.
We decided, instead to visit the Chateau la Napoule. We’ve been meaning to visit this lovely chateau and artist’s gallery for eight years and never got around to it. It is less than five minutes from the apartment.
Behind the aquaduct is the Chateau. I got this pic from the website. Eight years and we finally decided to visit and never made it inside!
We arrived and I was excited about finally visiting. It was closed for an event. *sigh* Next year.
So we went to Geant and purchased beverages instead!
Tchin Tchin!!!!
Tuesday, June 27th, 2017
We are headed back to St. Tropez today. Bonaparte’s brother Francois is back in Paris and his brother Martin has arrived. Martin will be here a few days before returning to Les Landes to set up for his latest art exhibit. I’m excited because his partner, Mona, will be with him and we haven’t met her. Dany has taken a turn for the worse so we will have to wear robes and rubber gloves to ward off any possible infection.
I thought it was Wednesday when i woke up and filmed this. It wasn’t. Do you ever lose track of the days when you are traveling? Here’s an in-depth look at the apartment!
We will leave for St. Trop very early because the summer traffic has arrived and it’ll be an enjoyable time to stop at Rondini to pick up the sandals I purchased last week. The custom fit is everything!
Here’s the Rondini sandals that had to be custom fit for my narrow foot. At least ONE part of my body is narrow!!
We’ll all have lunch before spending the remainder of the afternoon with Dany. I hope he isn’t in too bad shape. He needs to get better!
Traffic was fine until we got to Ste. Maxime—from then on in it was a crawl. No big deal because the people watching was fun.
I finally wore makeup on my face! And that green dress from Old Navy certainly had its share of wear! It took seconds to do my “hair” because it’s fake!! Just like my tan!
We arrived in St. Tropez only to find that all three public parking lots were completely full!! But—we did manage to find one of the last remaining spaces at Parking des Lices—just across the street from Dany’s residence.
How cool is this wine bottle sculpture? It’s at a vineyard on the way to St. Tropez! See how much fun driving is?
The reason, we later discovered, that parking was so atrocious was that Tuesday is Market Day! And people love the Place des Lices market. I was shocked at just how momentous this market is. Everything from food to furniture is sold.
And early we did arrive. I picked up my sandals and we headed over to the market. Oh. My. God! My only regret was the Bonaparte was with me. If he hadn’t, at least two more suitcases would have had to be purchased for all the stuff I would have bought. (Note to self: Make sure Bonaparte is off playing Boule or reading a book next time)
See the baskets? Notice how inexpensive they are? I should have replaced the one I have!
Vintage Louis. GENUINE! I can’t even–I should have bought one. Next year!
The market was a buzzin’..
I dig these bowls…
and these signs. We purchased the one that reads “La Ponche”–that’s where Bonaparte spent his summers!
Pom Poms galore!
And more white shirts–one can never have too many white shirts. I know this.
Some Jimi
And some tres cool posters! It all makes for a fun time at the market!
We met Martin and Mona at what is now officially our local restaurant. La Ramade!
Mona. Is. Fantastic!! She is so cool and artsy and creative and I want to be her best friend forever. Her hair is as black as coal and curly and she has the most genuine smile. We got along so well! She has a home in Morocco. And guess who was invited to stay there!!
The entry way to our favorite local hangout!
Isn’t this swan bench adorable?
The one–the only–the fabulous Mona!!!!! (PS–the lady behind her is sporting an Hermes bracelet. I couldn’t help staring!)
Again–I had my favorite Provencal dish–Rognons (kidneys)!
Morocco is on my bucket list. Big time. I need to make the trip. And it would be a spectacular time with Mona.
As we finished lunch and headed back to see Dany, we were warned that he was in extremely bad health. When we arrived at his room, just outside the door, was a case with robes and gloves. This wasn’t going to be a good thing.
Cute house on our walk back to see Dany.
When we entered the room, the scent from the other day still lingered. Only this time it was stronger. On the floor was a machine that was systematically pumping air to a rhythm. Air in. Air out. Wheeze. Air in. Air out. Wheeze.
Dany wasn’t coherent. He wasn’t speaking. His eyes were glazed over but I know he saw us. He had to. At this point, his blanket wasn’t even covering the legs that were now useless. He was wearing a diaper. I had never witnessed a sight like that in my life.
I kissed him and told Bonaparte, Martin, and Mona that I would be outside. Shortly after the head nurse stopped by to tell us that he would not get better. He stopped eating. His body was giving out.
Mona stayed behind with Dany while Martin, Bonaparte and I went over to Dany’s museum, La Maison des Papillions, Musee Dany Lartigue.
I love this photograph of Martin and Bonaparte. I’m having a print made to send to him–we were on our way to Dany’s Musee..
It’s a lovely way to spend some time if you are in St. Tropez!
It was a well-needed visit to see the beauty that Dany has given to St. Tropez. He’s collected butterflies his entire life—the collection, along with his paintings, is a sight to behold and is remarkably interesting!
Some butterflies–Dany curated everything!!
The musee used to be Bonaparte’s grandmother’s home.
Dany as a young boy..
And as a not-so-young boy!
Some of his paintings!
And a sketch from last year.
This time the visit had more meaning
By the time we left St. Tropez, Bonaparte was pretty much emotionally spent. Who could blame him?
My video tour of leaving St. Tropez
We sat down to a late dinner on the terrace and afterward watched a bit of TV.
Bonaparte—ever the channel surfer when it comes to French TV, stopped at a documentary about—St. Tropez!!! Even more surprising was one of the main subjects of the show was none other than Dany!!!!!
Dany on the French TV–the documentary about St. Tropez was very educational and visually delightful!
Wow! After seeing him in the worst of health earlier, it was a pleasure to see him the way we really see him. Scarf tied around his neck, looking charming and alert!
I’m glad B. got to see his dad in a better light—and I’m sure he’ll sleep well!
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Remember how I wrote about Monday being a “Turn Down” day? Well, it made me think of the song from The Cyrkle. Remember them? Here’s the song: “Turn Down Day”!
