Saturday, July 1st, 2017
Where has the time gone? I mean—just two weeks ago we were giddy and happy because a year had passed since last time we were in Theoule. Now the time just flew by.
We won’t see this view again for another year.
We were supposed to go to Eze and Monaco and just never got around to it because we had other more important things to do.
Our future trips here will be slightly different because we won’t get to have lunch with Dany anymore—but we will be able to visit him through the Musee and by having lunch at LaRamade while talking about our great memories of him!
It’s another spectacular morning here. Cloudless sky. The wind has picked up but it is still warm. All is well as we make our way through the apartment to pick up and pack.
My favorite video from this series. We are closing up shop!
Sadness always takes over whenever we leave this little but lovely living space for two weeks each summer. I feel as though it is my second home. Over the years I’ve become so familiar with the surrounding areas and I’ve almost turned into a local.
We are spending the next two nights at “Le Club”—the clubhouse at La Galere. Le Club has a separate pool, rooms and one of the best restaurants and bars I’ve ever been to. Because the apartment must be prepared for the next rental, we’ve started a tradition of spending our last two nights at Le Club. It’s fun! And it breaks up the sorrowful emotions of having to leave.
Our room. Just for you and only for you!
Because the pool at the club is surrounded by shade trees, we’ll head off to the pool we normally laze at.
The pool at le club. Way different than the other pool! But still very nice!
Bonaparte suggested driving back to Cabris, but I didn’t want to chance it because today is the official first day of high season. Traffic will be an absolute bitch!
Instead, we drove into Cannes and one of my favorite towns—Antibes, along with the beautiful Cap d’Antibes! We also had the idea, since we are having our last dinner tomorrow at the club’s restaurant, to pick up sandwich makings and have a picnic in our room!
One of the many spectacular homes along the Bord du Mer in Antibes–and nobody is around yet!
My favorite home in Antibes. I can’t afford a home like this but I can dream. Can’t I?
The drive to Antibes along the Bord du Mer is one of my most treasured rides. The homes are spectacular and always just makes me cheerful. We wanted to spend more time here but due to circumstances just didn’t have the time.
Check this little alcove out. Year after year, I feel the need to return to this little nugget of an inlet because it is just so charming and old school. It never changes!
Oy. Am I in Miami? No!!! I’m in Antibes!
And drive we did. Because of this first day of high season, parking was literally impossible.
Another view from the car.
The bay with Antibes in the background.
We missed our annual walk around the ramparts because parking was just unbearable.
Cannes was no better. A fete of circus events was slated for the evening and the port was literally a make-shift circus construction area. Add to that traffic, traffic and more traffic and …well, it was what it was.
Dammit! I never got to shop at Dior!!……………and never will!
Our indoor picnic ended up being a lot of fun. For Bonaparte, it was a trip outside the box for him. For me, it was nothing unusual.
Some baked goods that we thought about purchasing for our indoor picnic!
We did get bread…
The look the baker gives you when you start licking the glass on the display cases because everything looks so delicious!
Chef Bonaparte at work..
Jambon!
We were both exhausted and I do believe it was more of an emotional thing rather than physical given the events from yesterday.
Good night!
Sunday, July 2nd, 2017
Whew. Is it really our last day here? That “Sunday” feeling is beginning to take over my being. You know what I mean, don’t you? That feeling of gloom because the work/school week will resume. Any form of pleasure from the weekend will be thrown into your past memory bank.
Bonaparte practically had to drag me out of bed this morning. I don’t want to get up. I want to stay in this big comfy bed and pretend that we just re-started our vacation—life on replay!
Another sunny day. Gloriously bright and hot. No humidity at all!
Our last sunny morning. Is this not glorious?
We went downstairs to a very American-style Petit Dejeuner. The scrambled eggs were perfect—moist and on the wet side cheese and a mini-baguette finished the plate off. The coffee was just the medicine I needed to make me awake, aware and alert!
A hearty French breakfast…
I swear I should have just popped these sugar cubes into my mouth–after all, I ate everything else!
I dare not step on the scale when I get home—at least for a month because that is how long it’ll take me to get back to slightly normal!
We are now at the pool for the last time of France 2017! Sunscreen applied, under the parasol, reading and writing materials close by and I’m even happier because…
The last morning at the pool–early and before the crowds arrive
Bathing Suit Lady has arrived!! I suppose that her schedule was changed because it was more beneficial for her to be here during high season only.
This photo is from last year, but bathing suit lady sells a ton of swimwear from this little booth!
Her wares are wonderful but nuthin’ beats my 11-euro bikinis!
On this last day, I decided to take a few photos of the port at LaGalere
It’s such a cute and small port. I wish I could have just gotten on one of those boats and taken off.
I truly love this community and feel like a local.
I went back to my phone to check if Chateau la Napoule is opened. It’s not. Next year!
Soon we’ll go to fill the car with gas, get ready for dinner and officially end our time here.
Bonaparte keeps apologizing to me about the fact that Dany’s situation took up so much of our time. I don’t care!!!! It’s OK!!!! It was more important for him to be at his dad’s side and it was more important for him to see his family.
This trip was just as great as the others—if not one with more meaning!
Back in the car, back at the club to change and get the car gassed up. Bonaparte spotted a DIY car wash. You know what that meant…
We gassed up the car and Lord knows, Bonaparte would never return a car with so much as a spot of dirt on it. I enjoyed the view!
We went into Geant and I couldn’t help it. I got a second paisley bikini. At 11 euros, I just could not help myself. I also purchased an adorable scarf for 5 euros and a Francis Cabrel CD.
When we returned to the clubhouse, we started to unload and…the fire alarm went off. Damned if I wasn’t going to take all my stuff with me!! But we were told to keep everything in the room. Ultimately, the issue was some numbskull lighting up a cigarette in the Sauna. Really????
Ignorance is global!
After the drama of the Sauna, we headed back to the room, relaxed a bit then got changed for dinner.
The most makeup I wore on this trip–and this dress certainly got a TON of wear. Took me no time to do my hair–teehee!!
We sat in our usual little alcove with a view of the club’s pool and other diners.
Our table.
Tchin. Tchin! Aperitif!
My appetizer was Coquilles St. Jacques tartare. WOW. A complete flavor explosion!
Bonaparte started off with crab and it didn’t make anyone crabby either. It was wonderful!
Bonaparte’s usual. Steak frites!
I went with a seafood trio. I look forward to my dinners in Theoule because I always have the best seafood!
Bonaparte went with a very healthy berry dessert..
While I chose a more unhealthy Zabaione–well, it did have a bit of fruit!
And what a dinner it was!! There isn’t much of a turnover here. We’ve seen a few staff members here for eight years—so my thinking is that LaGalere must be a wonderful place to work. I wish I could work here!
A toast to you for reading my post! I hope you are not disappointed!
We must get to bed early because the alarm is set for 4:00 AM!
I won’t get any sleep tonight!
© 2017 Atypical60.com
Wow! I want to go!! Thanks for sharing.
Hey Loretta!!! You HAVE to go!!!! It’s the greatest!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I’m sad that it’s come to an end. I look forward to your French visits every year. Was even more meaningful this year because of Dany. Thank you again for sharing it all! Xoxo
Hey Lori. Yeah. It’s almost over. I still have another post about the vacay and then it’ll be on to my usual stuff–LOL!!!! Thank you again for being so encouraging during this most unusual chain of events!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Great photos! The sky is so blue! Did you use your phone or a regular camera? Either way, the photos are fabulous!
I used my phone but the photos with the date imprinted were from a small inexpensive camera. I don’t know how to take the date off!!! Thanks so much!!
You are so welcome.
It looks like your vacation was heaven on earth. Your pictures are so beautiful and how lucky are you to be able to go there each year.
Thank you Toni! Oh. Trust me, every year I get bruised from pinching myself. I am incredibly lucky and never take it for granted!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Looks like an incredible place to visit! That food has me drooling! I miss France sooo much!
Oh Courtney–you and me both. I’m already planning the return!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Disappointed? Are you joking? Be loved every minute of your trip. Hurry back to France!
Oh Mary. Why Thank you!!! I’ll hurry back anytime!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
What a wonderful lot of memories you and Bonaparte build every year, Catherine. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Judy. It’s funny–because “back in the day”…..before I started to blog, I made quite a few photo “albums” of our trips and every now and then, I will go and open one up and all the memories come back!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
So sorry about Danny…
I feel the same way when we leave France. The 2 weeks we spend there each year or two bring me such joy.
J’adore France, but It’s nice to be home – but we miss so much about France. We’ve lived abroad before and then we missed home just as much as we now miss France. It’s strange how the mind works.
Hi Suz. Thank you for your condolences. But it’s true, we miss what we don’t seem to have on hand. The one thing I do miss when I’m in France are the wide roads we have here. Other than the Autoroutes, the roads are so narrow–makes me nervous!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You’re welcome.
So true. And as much as I love those rond points – I recently counted 19 within 2.5 miles.
Good luck adjusting – it’s always hard. I’m keeping myself busy by writing about France and planning our next visit.
Your posts are exquisite, Cathy. I hope you are able to make writing your full time job! The apartment is lovely. Does it have central A/C? I know that the French are not as obsessed as we Americans about air conditioning!
We will be on la Cote d’Azur for 5 days in early September before heading up to Paris; it should be quiet, like June, as it is shoulder season. Like you, I spend 11 months of the year pining away for our next trip to France. It never gets old 🙂
Thank you Sandra. It is my dream to be able to write full-time, but I keep getting rejected. Maybe my language is too salty!! LOL!!! The apartment does have central air. But we never have to use it because the cross ventilation and sea breezes are great!!
Where on the Cote d’Azur will you be? I can imagine it must be great after everyone leaves and the weather is still spectacular. Paris is my favorite when the summer crowds have gone. We are thinking about going back in November. We had a blast last November and I like Paris in cooler weather. It’s so much better for walking around!! Enjoy your trip!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Loved the videos!
Hahahah!! Cynthia. Aren’t they a hoot?? Bonaparte was very upset and mortified by the video in which I elaborated on the wonders of the bidet!!! XOXOXOXOX!!!
So happy that I got to see France…with you…it was marvelous…Catherine, I just love your funny perspective and take on all things French. 🙂
Jeanne. I’m so happy that you enjoyed. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you end up there next year. I even said a prayer to St. Rita!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Beautiful, beautiful photos and videos. I am missing France already – and I wasn’t even physically there! I don’t know how you can stand to leave such a gorgeous place, I think I would bunker in and refuse to come out – as long as I had enough food and books to read etc I could stay there some time.
That image in the video of Danys hat is so moving
Thank you Juliet. The hat was really a very profound and moving sentiment for Bonaparte. I’m very happy for him that it was given to him!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I could feel your sadness as the final day got nearer and you became quite sad. If you write with the same emotion then I think you should just keep in plugging away and one day you will get accepted.
Is your aprtment available to rent ? I love that area and am looking for a great place to rent for a vacation.
Hi Barbara: Here’s the site: Port LaGalere I’m pretty sure the apartments are all booked for the summer but you should have a look at what is offered, it really is beautiful!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!
We do eat food in France do we? and the wine is fantastic be careful with the pastries that is when you have to watch the figure. I am glad you guys are having fun. Love the pictures
Dude. You are omitting the most wonderful Breton Cidre. I forgot to write about it. I drank a lot. I also drank wayyyyyyyyyy to much rose. My figure needs to go back a bit after all the good stuff I indulged in. Socca CHips are my new favorite food item of all time!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
ALWAYS ENJOY EVEN IF I”M LATE TO THE BON VOAYAGE!!!!!!!!XO