Patricia Sands

Author

General Travel

Strolling the backstreets …

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Take a stroll with me through some of the back streets of charming Biot … we’ll come back another time for more …

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If you are in the south of France, put Biot on your “must visit” list. This medieval village is just twenty minutes up into the hills behind Antibes and celebrated for, among other things, exceptional glass crafts created with their distinctive artisanal bubble glass. It’s possible to watch glassblowing artists in individual studios or the famous Verrerie de Biot. The colours of the glassware are mesmerizing. I bought a set of 8 glasses, each a different colour because I simply couldn’t choose!

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See what I mean? Yummy colours!

To read a far more amusing post than I could write, click here and spend a hilarious day in Biot with my friend Carol Perehudoff aka Wandering Carol. Bon weekend!

Photo challenge: CLOSE UP

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There’s nothing like a photo challenge for pure relaxation when you’re in the middle of editing your manuscript. This week’s challenge from The Daily Post is “Close Up”. Pop on over and take a look at the collection of fabulous participating websites.

I love flipping through my albums. These are from our memorable stay high up the Swiss Alps last May. From the garden:

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What have you been close up to lately? I’ve got to get close up with my manuscript again right this minute … the end is in sight! Could be a long night …

“La Chaise” ~ symbol of Nice

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

“La Chaise” ~ symbol of Nice ~

La Chaise de SAB 2014
La Chaise de SAB 2014

 

 

 

 

“La Chaise” or The Chair”, a sculpture by Nicoise artist Sabine Geraudie, has become the symbol of Nice since 2014 and is prominently displayed on the Promenade des Anglais. It makes me smile each time I pass it. And yes … I do have a large number of photos of this pleasing work of art … can’t help myself!

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Sea-blue chairs have graced the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais in one form or another since the 1950’s.  Today their look is iconic as generations of Niçois and visitors from everywhere have spent time sitting, relaxing, chatting, snoozing, and contemplating life … or not … in one of these enduring symbols ~ in the sun or the shade, every season, on the edge of  the always mesmerizing Mediterranean Sea.

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The history of these surprisingly comfortable resting places, like most things French, is colourful and you can read about it here. They disappeared for a few years after 2003, but public demand assured their return. Today “the Prom” wouldn’t be the same without them.

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The 4 km sweeping boulevard along the Baie des Anges with its biking and walking lanes is one of the loveliest seaside walks to be found, dare I say (attempting to be unbiased …) in the world. In many ways the Promenade des Anglais defines the city.

Here’s another vantage point with la colline du chateau/castle hill in the background. From every perspective, this is a chair that pleases.

1.IMG_0421Click here for more background on the blue chairs of the Promenade des Anglais.

Margo Lestz always has the details, history and quirky facts! Read about “the Prom” here.

On another topic, have you been watching the Tour de France? There are only a couple of days left before the grand finale in Paris. Even if you aren’t a diehard cycling fan, watching the coverage is a wonderful way to spend time in the various regions of France. Today they are in the Alps near Grenoble.

Bon weekend, everyone!

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE: DOORS

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Did someone say “doors”? Ahhhhh … j’adore taking photos of doors!

The Daily Post weekly photo challenge this week says, “A door is an everyday thing, yet is often a symbol — of a beginning, a journey forward or inward, a mark of one’s home, or even a step into the unknown.”

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Just looking at some of these doors makes my writing juices flow. I would love to know their stories! Wouldn’t you?

I do happen to know the story about these doors above. They are an entrance to the historic Chapelle Saint-Bernardin in Antibes.  If you click on that link, you’ll find a post I wrote about these doors and the gem of a church. They were carved almost five centuries ago (see the 1581 date on the door) and presented to the church by the villagers and farmers in thanks for having survived a terrible plague. On my early morning walks around Antibes, I love to stop and place my hands on those doors and feel the history. I swear you can!

Click on any image to enlarge it and then double-click again to make it even larger. Do you take photos of doors and windows too?  To have even more of a door ‘fix’, drop by The Daily Post and visit some of the other participating blogs or join in and post some of your shots.

One aspect that I love about the online photo challenges, especially The Daily Post challenge, is the opportunity to discover some pretty amazing websites. I always try to find the time to visit as many as possible as it’s a good break from writing! In particular this time I would encourage you to take a look at this outstanding page. This young woman’s photos are spectacular and her philosophy speaks volumes to me. I think it will to you too!